Left Vario Pannier AWOL

[Old Gregg]

Yesterday morning I rode to work as usual and decided to go for petrol at the Tesco petrol station near my office. I bought a few odds and ends for sustenance through the day which I obviously wanted to put in the panniers. I normally use the right side only for commuting as it's a better size for laptop etc. Anyway the stuff I bought wouldn't squeeze into the right pannier and I couldn't be arsed removing my bag and extending the pannier so I thought I'd use the other side. I walked round the bike only to find that there was nothing there!

I panicked a little and phoned my better half to ask her to take a drive to see if she could find it on my route. I did the same from the other end of the route and we met in the middle having seen nothing of the pannier. Gutted isn't the word.

I have no idea how it could have happened. My missus and I went home to Glasgow onyack on our bikes last weekend and both panniers were full to their extended capacity. I hadn't touched it since then and as I say, it's usually empty when I'm commuting so you'd think it would be more likely to come off when it's loaded.

I had absolutely no idea of when it could have come off as I felt nothing, and you'd thing that if a cager saw you loose a pannier they would try to come alongside to let you know.

Anyway the money I had earmarked for some 'bling' will now have to go on a new pannier. Has anyone heard of any similar problems with other vario panniers or is it just bad luck?

 

[swissrob]

gutted 4 u...... only heard of it happening to vario top boxes

 

[Wapping]

I assume that it was on when you started out on the journey from home to Tesco to work?

You didn't notice that it wasn't there when you got off? By the left side, I assume you mean the near side? Don't you have to swing your right leg over it a bit when dismounting?

Two possible answers:

(a) It's fallen off, either because the lock has failed or you didn't put it on properly.

(b) Someone has pinched it while you were stocking up on Ginster pies.

 

[swissrob]

very real possibility that someone has stolen it - only takes a few seconds with a screwdriver to open the handle and gain full acces to the release mechanism

 

[magpie]

Abducted by aliens






hard luck mate​

​

 

[Old Gregg]

I guess any explanation could be the correct one. I didn't notice when I swung my leg over and disconnected my heated back support and I guess I should have since the socket is right next to it. I might pop round there to see if they have it on CCTV in case it was some chav with a screwdriver.

If it had been the other side it would have meant curtains for my laptop, iphone and a load of other bits and bobs so I guess I should be thankful it was the empty one.

 

[Big Lee]

Is the mushroom still on the frame?
I`d be tempted to have a better look along your route in the verges as I`m sure it would roll a long way if it fell off at 60mph and if theres no hedge to stop it

Best of luck finding it

 

[njbhorn]

Alas I had a similar experience about 1 month ago. My left pannier came off on the North Circular at about 7am. I only noticed it when I came off at my junction and looked down and it was gone.

I had seen what a thought was a black bag moving across the carriagway behind me (it was darkish) and thought for a horrible moment it was a pannier but couldn't tell looking over my shoulder.

Unfortunately maybe but it was the first time I'd worn my Ultimate Ear earphones so maybe I wasn't as sensitive to things dropping off my bike!

Worse was to come as it contained my bag with phone, wallet etc in it.

I returned to the scene of the crime expecting to find some pannier but it was smashed to pieces and my bag had been run over. I think something hit it or at least went over my bag. Of course the bag wasn't zipped up properly so I lost my Oyster card and football season tickets. I found my wallet phone etc. so was just relieved about that and didn't realise the other stuff had gone until later.

I do hope whatever hit it was large and didn't suffer too much damage. Thankfully at that hoour the road isnt too busy but if it had been and hit a car directly then I shudder to think what it could have caused. A traffic report on the radio

I'd been riding for about 15 mins so I think it just wasn't on securely. The clip can sometimes catch me out and not be on properly. Also if I was nicking one I'd go for the useful one i.e. the right one.

So does anyone anyone want a right hand pannier?

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Keep 'em peeled on Ebay 'Old Gregg', when I was looking for a pair of Varios I was amazed how many single ones seem to be up for sale. Hope you find one.

 

[Wapping]

I forgot possibilty three:

Is it sitting in your garage?

 

[smartbear]

lost

mine got ripped off my r1100s at upminster station with my helmet in it,
theres some real scumbags about

 

[Old Gregg]

Unfortunately it's not in the garage. Both my missus and i have covered the route at least 4 times now to no avail. Hopefully I'll have some joy with the petrol station. I expected that if it had come off whilst riding it would be in a thousand pieces by the time it stopped rolling.

Fortunately the left pannier was too narrow to accomodate my laptop bag so I always use the right side. It had my work laptop, iphone, wallet etc in it so I'd have been even more gutted if that had been the one I lost.

I've contacted the salesman I bought it from at the dealers and told him it's either come off or was nicked and asked if there was anything he could do on the price of a replacement for me since it's only 5 weeks old. Still waiting to hear but I think I'll be lucky to get a 10% discount. That would be fair enough as it's not their problem after all.
Still, if you don't ask you don't get.

 

[Old Gregg]

Well I've heard back from the dealer. He's going to do me a left side pannier with matched locks etc for £200. It's better than nothing so I'm relatively happy.

Not happy that my exhaust fund is now defunct but it could have been worse.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Is the mushroom still on the frame?
I`d be tempted to have a better look along your route in the verges as I`m sure it would roll a long way if it fell off at 60mph and if theres no hedge to stop it

Best of luck finding it

You didn't answer BIG Lee's question ... Is the mushroom still attached to the pannier rail? If not I'd be asking the dealer for a new mushroom and pannier FOC

 

[heathy]

Well I've heard back from the dealer. He's going to do me a left side pannier with matched locks etc for £200. It's better than nothing so I'm relatively happy.

Not happy that my exhaust fund is now defunct but it could have been worse.

(edited until you say wether you are selling the box or giving him it. if selling then you are right - sponsorship required. Dahoum) sorry if not supposed to post this sort of post, but opportunism got yhe better of me.

 

[Manch]

Pannier

I had exactly the same thing happen recently. LH pannier gone! I'd been out all day and it had been there most of the day, but when I got home.....no lh pannier. Luckily it was empty.

If anyone has a LH pannier (GS1200 vario) I'd appreciate a call:

[email protected]

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Panniers falling off

This is not an uncommon problem and a lot has been written on this subject on this forum. I had it happen about four years ago but I heard it go (it contained 10 litres of wine, not damaged!) The mushrooms must be adjusted so that the pannier has to be a tight fit and the locknut properly tightened. Some use Loctite. Always check that there is no movement between pannier and frame before setting out. I would say that if it is properly adjusted and the front clamp fixed and all locked IT WILL NOT COME ADRIFT.

 

[heathy]

I had exactly the same thing happen recently. LH pannier gone! I'd been out all day and it had been there most of the day, but when I got home.....no lh pannier. Luckily it was empty.

If anyone has a LH pannier (GS1200 vario) I'd appreciate a call:

[email protected]

i have a LH pannier if you are interested - 2005 vintage in good condition 07979244654 -80 quid, you collect cod. let me know. ps located in mansfield, notts

 

[Old Gregg]

Thanks heathy but a new one has already been ordered from Alan Jeffries. Looks like Manch might be interested though!

In answer to Big Lee's question yes the mushroom is still attached to the pannier rail.