[How To] Making it easier to switch pannier lids between large and standar

[Rich]

Several of us have decided it's worthwhile to sometimes have the stock panniers and other times have the larger lids. But there are several self-tapping screws that one does not want to be removing and reinserting into the plastic. Part of it is easy. Just get 4 extra striker plates and their screws (BikeBandit is a good source), install into whichever pair doesn't have them and have that part and you're ready to go.

The retainer straps are a bit trickier, but I came up with an approach worthy of the Apollo 13 crew. Parts are:

• 4 self-tapping screws (Bike Bandit, again). Pay attention. These are a different size than the ones for the striker plates.
• 4 electrical wire mounts (Ace hardware).
• Appropriate length of 1" nylon cord (Ace hardware).
• 4 sets of fishing swivels and snap swivels (Ace, again).
• 8 small wire ties to fasten the cord.

So now a swap takes me 10 minutes and all those self-tapping screws stay in place.

 

[RedLdr1]

That looks like a good quick disconnect setup to me... I might use tabbed D-ring picture hangers on the bike side for connecting the retainer strap snap swivels as I have a batch of them somewhere in the garage... Off Topic: What brand /model is your top box?

EDIT: Never mind on the Top Box I looked up your post on moving over the ST box... I though it looked familiar..

 

[bicyclist]

Oprah

Good idea! I had installed an extra set of striker plates on the large lids to make the swap easy, but hadn't really thought about the lid straps. Thanks for sharing.