How do I attach VAUDE bike bags?

High-quality panniers are characterized by an uncomplicated yet secure attachment to the bike. VAUDE offers a wide range of variants that are specially adapted to the size, mounting location on the bike and the maximum weight of the bag. We attach great importance to ensuring that our mounting systems are adapted to all common bikes and can be mounted without tools wherever possible.

Discover a small selection of VAUDE bike bags here

Attaching bike bags to the rack

QMR (Quick Mount Release) is a high-quality and technically sophisticated fastening system with hooks. This allows you to quickly attach and remove your pannier. You can easily adapt the hook to different tube cross-sections (8 - max. 16 mm) of the luggage carrier using the enclosed adapters. There is no adapter for thicker bars.

Always make sure that you can hear the click sound when closing. Only then can you be sure that the hook is correctly positioned. This applies in particular to racks that do not have a round bar but a square or oval one, for example.

A graphic showing the QMR hook with diameter insertsA graphic showing the QMR hook with diameter inserts
The graphic shows that the QMR hook is only really closed when it clicksThe graphic shows that the QMR hook is only really closed when it clicks
To open the QMR hook, simply pull the bike bag upwards, the graphic showsTo open the QMR hook, simply pull the bike bag upwards, the graphic shows

The QMR hook can be locked directly on the carrier with the help of a lock. This means you can simply leave your bag on the bike without risk.

Lock requirements: Shackle diameter up to a maximum of 3 mm. The shackle should be at least 2 cm long. For example the TSA Lock II .

The QMR hook can also be locked with certain locksThe QMR hook can also be locked with certain locks

The hooks of the upper and lower guide rails are freely movable and can be individually adjusted to your luggage carrier. It is important that the lower guide hook is locked in the direction of travel to prevent accidental unhooking of the bag during heavy braking maneuvers.

Note: If you are not sure whether the hooks are locked tight enough or the hooks can no longer be released with the rotary wheel, you can simply use an Allen key. All screws are accessible from the outside.

The graphic shows how the QMR hook can be moved on the rail.The graphic shows how the QMR hook can be moved on the rail.
The graphic shows how the back of a bike bag with the QMR fastening system.The graphic shows how the back of a bike bag with the QMR fastening system.
The diagram shows how the QMR hook can be moved from left to right in the rail.The diagram shows how the QMR hook can be moved from left to right in the rail.

How to avoid chafing on the rack and frame

Depending on the workmanship and quality of the paintwork, chafing or damage can occur at the points where our panniers are connected to the pannier rack and frame of the bike.

Due to their design, panniers do not offer a 100 percent rigid connection between the pannier and the carrier or frame. The vibrations caused by cycling, especially on rough surfaces or terrain, cause permanent friction at the connection points.

This can be remedied by

A graphic showing the abrasion protection for panniersA graphic showing the abrasion protection for panniers

The difference between hard and soft back panniers

A bike bag with a soft back.A bike bag with a soft back.

The Soft Back pannier back is based on the Hard Back technology, but does without the fully enclosing plastic plate, which results in a lower overall weight. Maximum load: 10 kg per bag.

A bike bag with hard back plate.A bike bag with hard back plate.

The Hard Back 2.0, a hard-shell bag back, is made of sturdy plastic and is extremely impact and abrasion resistant. The heavy-duty edges are equipped with non-slip feet and the lower guide hook can be rotated through 360°. This allows you to individually adjust the bag to all luggage carrier racks. Maximum load: 12.5 kg per bag.

Plug and Ride: the removable, flexible mounting rail

Some VAUDE panniers are equipped with the Plug and Ride system, a removable fastening rail. This fastening rail allows you to mount the bag at an angle on the luggage rack. This prevents your heels from catching on the bag when pedaling. If you use the pannier as a shoulder bag, simply remove the rail so that nothing pinches. Maximum load: 10 kg per bag.

How Plug and Ride worksHow Plug and Ride works

MIK (Mounting.is.key) click system for luggage carriers

MIK is a revolutionary click system for luggage carriers. Accessories of all types and brands can be exchanged and attached. The system also has an integrated lock to prevent opportunist theft.

How to attach panniers with MIK fastenersHow to attach panniers with MIK fasteners
The adapter for panniers with MIK fastening systemThe adapter for panniers with MIK fastening system

iRack

iRack is a connection adapter between the pannier rack bag and the pannier rack. The bag is attached, pushed forward and snaps into place with a click. To remove it, simply pull it off again.

How iRack panniers lock into placeHow iRack panniers lock into place
The underside of an iRack bike bagThe underside of an iRack bike bag

Snap it

The Snapit adapter reliably connects your pannier rack bag to the pannier rack. As soon as you place the adapter on the pannier rack and push it slightly forward, it clicks into place. If you lift the release lever, the adapter can be easily detached from the carrier with a handle.

Snapit can also be adapted to narrow Racktime luggage carriers.

A bike bag with Snap-it fastening systemA bike bag with Snap-it fastening system
The adapter of a bike bag with Snap-it fastening systemThe adapter of a bike bag with Snap-it fastening system
How to detach a Snap-it bike bagHow to detach a Snap-it bike bag

UniKlip

Bicycle panniers and boxes with the UniKlip fastening system can be used on a wide variety of racks without the need for additional adapters.

  • Automatic adjustment to luggage carriers (10 - 16 mm diameter)
  • Adaptable to luggage carrier widths from 9 - 16 cm
  • Can also be used with integrated battery
  • Compatible with V-shaped carriers
  • Integrated theft protection
  • Maximum load: 10 kg
How to attach UniKlip panniersHow to attach UniKlip panniers

Choose your own mounting system

With some VAUDE panniers, you can retrofit one of the common mounting systems yourself, for example on some Silkroad panniers and the Twin series.

The diagram shows the adapter plate and the fixing points for various fixing systemsThe diagram shows the adapter plate and the fixing points for various fixing systems
The diagram shows the adapter plate and the fixing points for various fixing systemsThe diagram shows the adapter plate and the fixing points for various fixing systems

Attaching bags to the saddle and seat post

Twist adapter

When attaching with the twist adapter, a plug-in adapter is mounted between the saddle rails, onto which the saddle bag is simply plugged and fixed with a half turn.

How the twist system works to attach panniers to the saddleHow the twist system works to attach panniers to the saddle

Contour adapter

With the help of a KLICKfix Contour adapter, VAUDE panniers can be clipped directly onto the seat post. The adapter is attached to the seat post using a clamp.

The bag then simply needs to be attached to the corresponding device. One push of a button is all it takes to release the bag again.

Attention: Not suitable for carbon seat posts!

Clamps included for diameters 25-32 mm and 32-36 mm.

A pannier with Klickfix Contour adapterA pannier with Klickfix Contour adapter


Velcro fastener

Our Ultralight bags are secured with a weight-saving Velcro fastener. This is simply wrapped around the saddle struts and fastened.

Simple, but extremely light: saddlebags with Velcro fastenersSimple, but extremely light: saddlebags with Velcro fasteners

Attaching VAUDE bike bags to the handlebars - this is how it works

The KLICKfix system is a quick and secure method of attaching handlebar bags. When attached, the bag adapter automatically snaps into the bracket that is fixed to the handlebar. Simply press the red button to release the bag again. By the way: The KLICKfix system is also available for e-bike handlebars.

The graphic shows the KLICKfix click system for handlebar bags.The graphic shows the KLICKfix click system for handlebar bags.

How to attach VAUDE bike bags to the frame

Our frame bags can be attached in a similar way to lightweight saddlebags with a light Velcro fastener. Several Velcro straps are simply wrapped around the frame and fastened.

A VAUDE frame bag with Velcro fastener.A VAUDE frame bag with Velcro fastener.

The load limits of VAUDE bike bags according to the fastening system

System Maximum load per bag
Hardback 12.5 kg
Softback 10.0 kg
Plug and Ride 7.5 kg
QMR 2.0 12.5 kg
SMR 12.5 kg
Step Adjust 15.0 kg
Snap It 12.0 kg
MIK 10.0 kg
UniKLIP 10.0 kg
i-Rack 10.0 kg
Contour adapter 2.0 kg
Contour Max adapter 3.0 kg
Twist adapter 1.0 kg

Instructions

Only when the panniers are securely mounted will there be no unwanted movement or changes in handling. Nevertheless, they should be easy to remove from the bike so that you have your luggage quickly to hand during a break or after a strenuous day.

Basically, the closer a load is to the bike, the less shear forces are generated when riding and the lower the risk of getting caught somewhere unintentionally.

Mehr Tipps und Packlisten zum Thema Fahrradtaschen gibt es in diesem Blogpost.