We made plans to definitely take a long bike ride this weekend, we just haven’t decided where to go. However, I have decided that I really, REALLY want to get some panniers for this and subsequent long bike trips. I found this great pannier comparison site, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been updated since 2003. The General Recommendations seem like they would still hold true for the brands, though.

My only concern is that I heard that panniers make bikes heavier and less responsive, and that trailers are a better option for long journeys. The panniers vs. trailer debate is a big one in the bike community, and I guess it ultimately comes down to personal choice. I like the look of panniers much more than trailers, so that is making a decision even tougher.