Are these a good deal on rear panniers?

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I'm looking at thier largest waterproof bags, on sale on the Nashbar website. The link below will take you to what I'm talking about. Anyway...they seem like a great deal for the cu. inches and that hey are waterproof.

Click below:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=6997&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

If anyone else has some suggestions that's be great. It'd be my first set of panniers...I'm really trying not to spend a lot since I'd probably only use them twice or maybe 3 times a year. If any of you have used ones in good shape you want to sell I might be interested. I'm thinking waterproof is important to me being that I live in the Pacific Northwest.

Oh and btw: I have a Delta seatpost/tube clamp on rack with frames on the sides for those of you who might think they have ones they want to sell me.

Yes, they're a good value. There are better-quality panniers, and if you get into extended touring, you'll upgrade for the durability. But Nashbar, in general, is perfect for entry-level stuff.

Even better -- take a look at their "Nashbar ATB Pannier", http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=6796&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

They're half the price of the "waterproof" ones, and probably just as good. My wife has been using these for a few years, they've never given us problems. I've found that there's no such thing as truly "waterproof" when you're on the road in a downpour. Especially at this price point (although it might be true for the highest-end/highest-price bags).

The only thing that works it to use multiple plastic bags inside your panniers. You'd be silly not to do this even with the "waterproof" ones. Although we rode through some heavy rains, the contents never suffered. On our experience, I'd recommend Nashbar's ATB Panniers for anything less than a month-long tour.

... Now I notice you mentioned a "clamp-on seat tube rack". Don't even try it with panniers. Get a real Blackburn-type one that mounts to the dropouts. The clamp-on ones aren't sturdy enough for carrying anything more than a book bag. Last thing you want is your panniers falling into your wheel on a 30 mph downhill.

-- Mark

Yes, they're a good value. There are better-quality panniers, and if you get into extended touring, you'll upgrade for the durability. But Nashbar, in general, is perfect for entry-level stuff.

Even better -- take a look at their "Nashbar ATB Pannier", http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=6796&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

They're half the price of the "waterproof" ones, and probably just as good. My wife has been using these for a few years, they've never given us problems. I've found that there's no such thing as truly "waterproof" when you're on the road in a downpour. Especially at this price point (although it might be true for the highest-end/highest-price bags).

The only thing that works it to use multiple plastic bags inside your panniers. You'd be silly not to do this even with the "waterproof" ones. Although we rode through some heavy rains, the contents never suffered. On our experience, I'd recommend Nashbar's ATB Panniers for anything less than a month-long tour.

... Now I notice you mentioned a "clamp-on seat tube rack". Don't even try it with panniers. Get a real Blackburn-type one that mounts to the dropouts. The clamp-on ones aren't sturdy enough for carrying anything more than a book bag. Last thing you want is your panniers falling into your wheel on a 30 mph downhill.

-- Mark
Thanks for the insight! Unfortunately my bike is an older triathalon bike....no brazeons for panniers to be had...that's why I got the post clamp rack. If I could find someone to weld on some brazeons I'd like that.

Now...I didn't really buy the bike for touring anyway...so...panniers weren't of concern for me. This is just something I'd like to try. The trip I'm looking is only maybe a week to 10 days.

Braze-ons would be cool, but not absolutely necessary. Your local bike shop should have clamp-on adaptors. If not, check out: http://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cgi?d=single&c=Accessories&sc=Rack%20Clamps&tc=&item_id=LS-2621KR&id=535026527819

The last time I bought a rear rack, I think these clamps were included. If everything is clamped on tight, it's as solid as braze-on mounts. Do what you gotta do to trade out that seat-tube rack.

-- Mark

Braze-ons would be cool, but not absolutely necessary. Your local bike shop should have clamp-on adaptors. If not, check out: http://www.thethirdhand.com/index.cgi?d=single&c=Accessories&sc=Rack%20Clamps&tc=&item_id=LS-2621KR&id=535026527819

The last time I bought a rear rack, I think these clamps were included. If everything is clamped on tight, it's as solid as braze-on mounts. Do what you gotta do to trade out that seat-tube rack.

-- Mark

Hey hey! Those are sweet! I'll definitely check those out. So just combination of these types of clamps and I should be able to attach one of those Blackburn type racks, right? 'Cause I mean I have NO brazeons on my bike whatsoever.