I’ve just bought a set of rear pannier support frames to go onto my quick release rack and now I’m in the search for some good quality pannier bags. Most of my stuff is Topeak and although I’m very happy with their quality, it is pretty expensive in Australia. Can anyone recommend some other good brands for bike accessories and pannier bags in particular.
I already have a bag that fits the rack so I need panniers only, not a combination bag/pannier.
All other general bicylce chat welcome! 
And if you don’t want to talk bicylces you can always talk bicycles.
You get what you pay for. If it’s only for recreational rides you can get away with cheaper panniers, but the expensive ones are worth the price for touring or all-weather commuting. I use Ortlieb Back-roller panniers and they are absolutely waterproof. It has no zippers or flaps - you just roll up the top and strap it down. The only downside is that it has no small pockets, but that would make it heavier and less waterproof so I think it’s a good tradeoff. It’s one of the best bike accessories I’ve ever purchased.
I haven’t tried Topeak panniers but they do make great products. I feel lost without their Alien multi-tool and the Road Morph portable pump.
I’ve used Altura bags, they work very well. Not sure about their availability/price in Australia.
I like a nice bicycle horn.
Preferably a Barbie one.
If those are not available in your area, a ring-ring bell thingie is also a nice accessory.
Either add a nice touch of absurdity.
The ultimate bike horn is the Delta Airhorn (also sold under the name Air Zound). Way too loud to use against pedestrians but very effective against car drivers.
and of course, everyone needs a GearTel!
Favorite new bike thing that I haven’t used yet: CO2 dealie for filling flats. This one converts to a hand pump as well. Makes me feel very up-to-date tech-wise.
Is the CO2 thing a one use only gadget or can it be reacharged?
The CO2 comes in non-reusable single-use canisters. It’s much faster than using a pump, and you can achieve a very high pressure without any effort. I haven’t bought one yet though - I’m never in that much of a hurry, and my Topeak Road Morph pump gets up to 120psi with little effort.
By the way, has anyone found a good headlight? The only lighting system I’m satisfied with is a SON hub dynamo with a Lumotec lamp, but that’s a $300 setup and I can’t afford to put one on every bike I own.
I did find a good taillight though - the Vistalite Nebula. I’s bright, it uses AA batteries so it’s very economical, and so far it’s completely waterproof. (Unlike the CatEye Micro headlight whose innards turn brown with rust the first time you use it in rain.)
Vistalite also makes the RoadToad, which is a halogen light that takes 4 AA batteries. The newer ones have a high and low setting to save on batteries. I use NiCads, so it’s less of a problem for me. Mind this is a street headlight. For trail riding, your lights are much more expensive.
BTW, they make a size-large CO2 canister called Big Air. It fills 2 26-inch MTB tires – MTB tires are lower pressure than road tires and can actually be ridden semi-soft.
Forgot to mention my favorite bike product: the CamelBak. Pretty much hands-free drinking and room for all your bike gadgets.