[Mr Noircicle]

Hey, time for a serious question.

Who fits their alloy panniers with the lids opeing from the back and who from the front?

I want to put some red retro reflective tape on the back of mine and went to do that and suddenly had a thought! Last time I used them there is often a moment of doubt where I reach round and try to check I have done up the catches and that the lids are properly closed, but it's quite hard to do when driving. Got me a wondering if having the catches at the front was a better idea, easy to check. Only downside I could think of was that if you did forget to close them, or you unlatched them whilst driving, that the lids would get ripped back-the-way if they opened at speed.

[jadofind]

I didn't fit the OEM style panniers, but appreciate the dilemma. The only circumstances under which I would have them open from the front is if I'd implemented a safety latch, similar to what is used on an automotive hood/bonnet.

[curlytops]

mine open from the back with the hinge to the front... dont want the lid ripping off at super high Himalayan speeds if the latch fails.

[Spicyred]

I fitted mine with the opening from the back. With many multi-day trips undertaken so far, over the nearly three years of ownership, I haven’t had a single incident where opening from the front would have been an advantage.

I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that the default method chosen by practically everybody, is to open from the back.

HTHs