DIY bike panniers
Hey kids! Have you ever wanted panniers for your commuter bike but don't want to sell your bike in order to afford to buy a set? Listen up...or read up rather.
Go to your local Army Surplus store,
Get yourself some army surplus bags. These ones which are completely waterproof for $10 each at my local surplus.
Take the straps off them, and made two small incisions on the back where the rubber is reinforced with an X-Acto-knife. Also make a couple of holes on the bottom incase water does get in it some how and it will have a place to drain out. Then run some zip ties through the small slits, and zip to the bike rack.
$23 basically for both bags, and if you don't have zip ties (if not, what kind of bike commuter are you?) maybe $5 at most for them. I paid $3 at Dollarama, and you have some hardcore panniers for all weather.
BEWARNED They will smell like surplus shop for a few days. These ones smell a lot like surplus rubber. So if you don't mind being kind of smelly on the bike lane, go for it. Though I find the smell does air out of them after a while. Also who cares. You ride fast enough the wind blows it to the people behind you anyway.
Note: Nadette does not indorse reckless fast cycling no matter how bad you smell. Ride responsibly.
~Nadette