Looking for double panniers? Hollandbikeshop has a wide choice of double panniers for your bicycle!

What are double panniers?

Double panniers are essentially two bike bags that are attached to each other and are placed over your bicycle’s luggage rack. Not only can you take more with you with double panniers, you can also evenly distribute your things over the two bags. 

This keeps your bicycle from leaning over too far to one side or to the other, which would influence your steering ability. By maintaining your balance, you’ll keep control over the bicycle and your cycling comfort! 

Double panniers are usually made of synthetic materials like polyester and bisonyl. Polyester is frequently used for the production of panniers because of the material’s robustness and shape stability, as well as its water-repelling and quick-drying properties. 

Bisonyl is a PVC-coated material that resembles tarpaulin thanks to its strong fiber structure. Bisonyl is well known for being especially resistant to wear and is a very water-resistant material.
 

What are the pros and cons of double panniers?

Unlike a single removable pannier, double panniers are not easy to take off once they’re installed. They are not removable. Nevertheless, on the plus side, you will only have to install them once!

Ease of removal aside, double panniers only have benefits. You can take twice as much with you as normal (though this will make your bicycle heavier) and your bicycle’s balance is better because of the panniers on both sides of your luggage rack. 

Not to mention, it’s a great accessory that you can really make your own. If you prefer soft pastels or a cheerful floral print, you won’t have to settle for a set of neutral black panniers - and vice versa. When you prefer panniers in a single dark color, there will be plenty of panniers for you to choose from to complete your bicycle’s look.
 

What are the best double panniers? 

Your personal taste usually weighs heavily in your choice of double panniers and material can also play an important role, for instance, when it’s important whether the panniers are waterproof or water-repellent. 

Waterproof panniers will keep your pannier contents protected from a bit of rain, while water-repellent panniers offer protection under much rougher weather conditions. 
 

Water-repellent panniers: perfect for cycling holidays

Water-repellent panniers are the perfect accessory for cycling trips. Why? Waterproof panniers are perfect for a light drizzle and short but heavy rainstorms, but they won’t keep your things dry over longer bike rides.

Especially in the Netherlands, where a ride without rainfall is never a certainty, particularly when you’re spending a long time in the saddle. For longer rides and changeable, gray weather, we recommend water-repellent panniers. These panniers won’t let any rain through and they’re guaranteed to keep your possessions dry, even during long periods of heavy rainfall.

Great examples of water-repellent double panniers are the Thule Shield pannier, Beck SPRTV, Basil Urban Dry and the Agu Urban Essential DWR. Double panniers by Beck, Ortlieb and Willex are also considered an excellent choice by many of our customers. 

Despite their many advantages, water-repellent (double) panniers also have a few downsides. For one thing, they’re often quite pricey compared to other panniers. They’re an investment, but they are worth it.

Another disadvantage is that panniers like the Ortlieb Classic are made of heavier material that weighs down the panniers, and so, your bicycle. This material is easier to clean, but the additional weight might be the last thing you need in addition to your usual cargo.
 

What size pannier do I need? 

The double pannier’s size is determined by your intended use of the panniers. 
 

20 to 30 liters

Double pannier bags with a 20 to 30 liter capacity are generally too small for your groceries, but they are suitable for a rain suit, some food and drinks, or your school things. 

With panniers this size, you might consider getting a single pannier instead of a double pannier. Single panniers often have the added advantage of being easy to remove and can in some cases be worn as a shoulder bag. A good example of this type of pannier is the Basil Urban Load. 

A good starting size for double panniers is 30 to 40 liters. Not too big, not too small. This double pannier size is a popular choice for teenagers transporting their school things and commuters who don’t want their daily ride to the office to be too heavily packed. 
 

40 to 50 liters

Double panniers with a 40 to 50 liter capacity are most often used for rides to the grocery store. Therefore, it is no accident that the most common double pannier size is 45 liters. 

Bike panniers with a capacity of 50 liters and over are often known as newspaper bags. They aren’t just used for groceries, but also for transporting other larger objects, like large bags of potting soil. 
 

Over 65 liters

Bike panniers with a capacity of over 65 liters are often used by people looking to transport additional items on extended cycling trips. 

An excellent example of a larger double pannier is the Willex XL 1200, which has a capacity of over 65 liters and a removable top compartment. With this double pannier, you can transport a lot of things, like an extra set of clothes, a rain suit, and provisions for a cycling trip. 
 

Children's panniers

For the youngest cycling enthusiasts, we have great children’s bike panniers, like the Frog and Friends children’s pannier. At Hollandbikeshop, you will find a wide choice in panniers, with a capacity of 7 to 80 liters. 
 

Are all double panniers suitable for an e-bike? 

Most double panniers in our range are suitable for electric bicycles. If your e-bike battery is set in the bicycle’s frame, you should be able to put virtually any double pannier on the luggage carrier. 

Double panniers usually aren’t fastened on the luggage carrier with hooks, so you should have plenty of space between the pannier, battery and luggage carrier for mounting. With e-bikes, there should also be enough mounting space between the battery and luggage carrier. 

Additionally, the bridge (the connecting part between the left and right pannier) is usually wide enough for both pannier bags to hang over the sides of the rack without sticking out. 

If your electric bicycle’s luggage carrier is equipped with an adapter system like the MIK system, Racktime Snap-It or Atran Velo system, make sure your double pannier is compatible with this adapter system.
 

How do I mount double panniers? 

Double panniers are often equipped with buckles, straps or a click-fit system like the MIK system (Mounting Is Key). With the MIK system, you’ll quickly and safely install the double pannier on your bicycle and remove it just as easily whenever you’re not using it. 

Does your household have several bicycles and are they all equipped with a MIK adapter carrier? Then you can move your double pannier bags from one bicycle to the other any time you want. Fun and convenient for when your partner wants to take a trip to the grocery store and needs your double panniers. 
 

What do double panniers cost? 

No matter what double pannier you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Hollandbikeshop.com: big, small, brightly colored, fluorescent, or solid black (or blue) with reflective strips. 

High-quality double panniers don’t have to break the bank! In our wide range of double panniers, you’ll find double pannier bags ranging in price from €12,45 - like the Lynx double pannier 32L - to €199,95, like the Brooks Brick Lane 30L. 

In our wide range, you’ll find double panniers in various shapes and sizes, for women’s and men’s bikes and e-bikes, in many different colors - from subdued to trendy, with and without printed patterns.