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Alu panniers or textile panniers ??? whats the best option Alu panniers or textile panniers ??? whats the best option
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 21 Mar 2010
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Question Alu panniers or textile panniers ??? whats the best option
Hi ,

Im wondering what you guys n gals thought of between the alu pannier boxes or just simple throwover ones like cargo , or oxford.

I know the ups and downs of both but wanted any first hand comments on either form the open road or recent trips with either ??.

Cheers,

Ben
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  #2  
Old 21 Mar 2010
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It's really 'your call', personally I don't ride my travelbike offroad so I prefer 'hard', if I was to be going offroad then definately 'soft', its been discussed many times here on the HUBB.
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Old 21 Mar 2010
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thanks for reply , yes i do agree on what youve said ,although im not doing any serious offroad yet the some off the roads i will be doin are going to be v rough at best .... just not sure with the weight of hard panniers systems ,,sure they look great etc but also have worries bout frame cracking etc .

Cheers

Ben
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Old 21 Mar 2010
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I like the security of 'hard', I use Touratech mounting loops with a Heavy duty rack fabricated by a mate, i rode some pretty rough roads and had no problems, I don't think any of the Ali boxes are too excessive in weight, but don't get them too big or they will make your overall width prohibitive and you get tempted to 'fill them'. I have Touratech loops on 3 of my bikes, although one set was a very good copy of the TT type ones purchased on ebay and alot cheaper!
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Old 21 Mar 2010
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andy strapz
I vote for andy strapz expedition pannierz
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Old 21 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ukiceman View Post
I vote for andy strapz expedition pannierz
Although they look very nice is the price of them justified? I have just looked at them on thier site.
On ebay this seller has these and others, I purchased mine from germany a couple of years back..also 'Allit' and very good.

Aluminium Panniers with mounting kits on eBay (end time 28-Mar-10 09:34:37 BST)
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Old 21 Mar 2010
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Originally Posted by dave ede View Post
Although they look very nice is the price of them justified?
well, yes they do cost a few quid, i paid £180 GBP but, that link you posted for eBay was £210 and you need a rack. i've had both boxes and andy strapz which i got after using the boxes for one short 3 day trip. i paid about £450/500 for my set-up from off the road in germany. so if you look at it that way, i could have saved a lot even with a price tag of 180
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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There have been nooomerous threads on this subject, each time different parties extoling the virtues of one sort of luggage or another.

Have a look via the search option and you'll see what I mean.
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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Ive seen a few threads, but if travelling in Eastern Europe, how do people keep soft panniers secure - do they take them everywhere they go if there leeaving their bikes for an hour or two??? cheers, Rob
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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Originally Posted by Rob21 View Post
Ive seen a few threads, but if travelling in Eastern Europe, how do people keep soft panniers secure - do they take them everywhere they go if there leeaving their bikes for an hour or two??? cheers, Rob
To be honest, do you really think risks to your bags are much lower in London, Paris, Madrid etc...? Take whatever precautions you would in any of those cities and you should be OK...

However, that is one reason why I like hard luggage....
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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I have used both hard and soft luggage over the years both as they say have different advantages and disadvantages. The reality I think is well designed and good quality soft luggage is in most cases better than Hard luggage for overland travel. its Lighter, less prone to vibration damage (including your stuff inside),easier to repair in most places of the world including at the roadside by yourself with thread, needle or laces. It sits better and closer to the bike and can easily be moved forward / backward and adjusted for different riding conditions. The security aspect of hard luggage is largely in the mind almost all hard luggage can be opened or removed from the bike with nothing more than a screwdriver or small jemmy - the locking systems are simply not well or strong enough designed to put off a thief - but they do look very attractive and shout at prospective thieves - expensive / wealthy / goodies. dirty dusty muddy soft luggage does not have the same appeal and with a simple cable lock or mesh bag can be as, if not more secure. even the most expensive soft luggae is well below the price of hard stuff.
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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I agree with adventure 950 they have different advantages and disadvantages it's up to you what you will choots and what you like it'll be kind of compromise any how.
I built my own system for offroad use and works fine so far.
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
There have been nooomerous threads on this subject, each time different parties extoling the virtues of one sort of luggage or another.

Have a look via the search option and you'll see what I mean.
I've been struggling to stop posting similar suggestions every time the same old topics come up as if earlier discussions had never happened. Sigh.

But now I find myself wondering anew: has anyone had direct experience of hard cases being broken into? I hear quite often about soft bags being slashed, sometimes in unexpected places, but I never hear about hard cases being burgled, despite the undeniable truth that this could be easily accomplished with your average rock, screwdriver or scrap of steel.

Anyone?

Mark

(confirmed user of hard cases: two rear, two front, one topbox...currently worry-free in Uruguay)
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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Originally Posted by markharf View Post

But now I find myself wondering anew: has anyone had direct experience of hard cases being broken into?
Maybe the "mystery-man". The same guy who broke his leg when it got trapped under his boxes?

I stick with boxes, at least on longish trips.
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Old 22 Mar 2010
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Mystery Man?
No mystery. Where to start on this? How about here?
WorldRider: The Journey Continues.... - ADVrider

And never trust this liar either, I'm sure he made it all up:
The Return of Jupiter's Travels

Over the years I've heard dozens of stories of Hard panniers breaking legs, ankles and feet. I think most of us have. I've witnessed one crash where the bag did damage to pillion.

But as everyone says .... and it is true ... bags can also save you if you get your legs out of the way and let the bag take the hit.
Not everyone is so lucky.

I hurt my leg when paddling a GS BMW is sand, and my ankle whacked into the pannier. My fault, nothing broken but a good warning. (good boots saved me)
Best to Stand UP and gas it! Paddling is Verboten mit BayemVay
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