Growing tired of my bombproof-but-not-very-stylish pannier, I acquired a Ballard Market pannier a few months ago and have been using it to commute to work. Don’t be fooled by its good looks: not only can this 15L pannier hold a great deal more than one would expect, but it also stands up to the nastiest Wet Coast weather. Very well designed with all sorts of useful features, the Ballard Market is perfect for commuting and running errands around town, and in my opinion, deserves the five-star ratings it has garnered. Here’s why I think this pannier is so awesome.
Storage
I am amazed how much stuff I can pack into my new pannier. I generally manage to fit my lunch, my running gear, and whatever outfit I will change into when I get to the work, including shoes or boots. And on days when I have an extra big load, I take advantage of the extension collar to squeeze in a bit more. The pannier has one interior zip pocket with a key clip and three exterior pockets — two side pockets with an elastic opening and one very deep slip pocket on the front — to help you organise your stuff. There is also an adjustable interior strap to hold your laptop, books, wine bottle or baguette in place. You’ll also notice a webbing loop on the front of the Ballard; I’ve found it’s a great place to clip my helmet while I do my shopping or a bike light when riding. You might come up with other uses for it.
Detours Ballard Market Pannier – Interior
Weatherproofness
I’ve discovered that a pannier doesn’t have to be made of a rubbery material in order to keep its contents dry. The smart people at Detours figured out that incorporating a sturdy base made of recyclable plastic and including a removable rain cover keeps the rain out just fine. Some will argue that having to put on a separate rain cover is a hassle and that waterproof panniers are just so much easier to deal with. I personally don’t find it to be a bother and am happy to have a pretty pannier that, when not covered, is stylish and not so utilitarian looking. Made of a sturdy coated ripstop fabric, the high-visibility yellow rain cover is designed like a shower cap and fits snugly over the Ballard to keep the contents dry. It also boasts a reflective Detours logo for added safety. As for the rigid plastic base, it serves a double purpose: it reinforces the bottom of the pannier and allows you to put your pannier down pretty much anywhere without worrying about dirt or dampness.
Attachment
The pannier features two spring-loaded clips that are compatible with a variety of racks. This system makes it a breeze to install and remove your pannier and is very easy to use. One comment I’ve heard is how a hook near the bottom of the pannier would help secure it to the rack and prevent it from falling off when unexpectedly going over big bumps. I haven’t had any problems with my pannier coming off, but can see the validity of this suggestion. The one modification I would recommend is to increase the size of the opening in the clips. Putting the Ballard on my regular commuter bike is child’s play, but I do have to fiddle with it a bit when installing it on my vintage bike whose rack is made of flat bars.
2 sturdy captain hooks re-attach to your bike rack
Versatility
The best thing about the Ballard is its incredible versatility. You actually get three bags in one: a pannier, a tote bag and a backpack. The long neoprene-padded handles are very comfortable over the shoulder when using the Ballard as a tote. When you are ready to switch into pack mode, simply pull the red straps on the front of the pannier and adjust their length to suit your body.
Details
You can tell attention to detail was a priority in the design: the attachment hooks can be covered by a zippered flap when not in use. This prevents the clips from catching on your clothing when you carry the Ballard as a tote. Another nice feature is the exterior clip that secures the handles down while you ride. I have come to find that clip is also perfect to grab hold of the pannier while I attach it on to my bike rack. There are reflective tabs on both sides of the Ballard which increase your visibility from behind, regardless of what side of the bike your pannier is on. Last but not least, I am a huge fan of the Herman Yu Dahlia print on the front and find it adds a touch of style.
New to MEC this year, Detours is a small company based out of Seattle where all the employees are avid cyclists. You can tell these panniers were designed by riders, for riders. I encourage you to check out the other pretty and useful Detours products we carry, the Freemonster Flap and the Alki Beach Basket, as well as all the new urban panniers we’ve added to our assortment this year.
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