Bicycles
Practical Action
Panniers
The carrying capacity of the bicycle can be greatly increased by attaching panniers either side
of the wheel. However, the loads in the panniers must be reasonably well balanced. Panniers
are particularly suited to carrying containers such as used for carrying water.
Panniers may simply be sacks or woven baskets hung from lengths of wood or bamboo fixed
across the carrier or may be frames manufactured from wood or steel. They need to be as
light as possible.
The design shown is a steel frame, which may be either welded or pinned together so that it
can be folded up when it is not in use.
The base and sides may be filled in with wire mesh (weldmesh), wooden slats or canvas type
material. The ends can be filled in on fixed panniers but not on fold-up designs.
Carriers need to be
strengthened to
support panniers.
Make the inner
members from
20x20x3 or
25x25x3 angle
560 140
Move stays
Bolt to
bicycle
500
Figure 2: Construction of panniers
640
320
2