So have been an Ebay tart for the last week, and as a result I am now awaiting the arrival of a set of secondhand expanding panniers c/w bags, a secondhand pannier rack and a new second set of bolts to join the new rack, bolts and RG crash bungs already sitting in the shed. If it ever stops raining then at some point next weekend both bikes should get some accessories fitted and I can chuck the panniers on whichever bike I fancy taking out. If I get jabbed (twice) and Boris ever lets us out again...
The guy that was selling the panniers and bags also had a rack, and a set of fixing bolts but they were up for £20. I asked if he'd do a deal for the lot, and was thinking £440. I said you can buy the bolts for about a tenner brand new. I know, he said, but I'm not doing a deal for the lot, I want to see what I can get. Fair enough. So I bid separately, got the panniers for £366 plus postage. I lost the rack by £2 which went for £67. Sometimes clouds have silver linings - I bid another one which I got for £42.50 but suspect a rattle can of black may be required.
Those bolts? Went for £51 so he was right...meanwhile I just bought a new set for £12.