On the very slim chance that anyone is in need of a Touratech Zega 35L pannier and is in S Peru, I have one going spare in Arequipa. I'm around for a few days whilst by bike gets serviced, and could potentially leave it here with my friendly mechanic after I depart.

A small donation would be appreciated, to cover costs incurred when I lost the other one, and its entire contents!!

Hello,

Try to contact the new Touratech Peru in Lima :
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...450#post423577

Damien

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Damien - Motard du Monde http://motard-du-monde.net
https://www.facebook.com/MotardDuMonde.net

Hi Damian.

Thanks. I'll try that - didn't realise they were in Lima. They'll have to collect it though!! I'm now kitted out with Adv Specs Magadan panniers and heading for Cusco on Monday.

All the best,

Paul

Hi Paul,

It's normal that you didn't realize because is new.

What are you doing in Peru, what is your trip?

Regards,
Damien

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Damien - Motard du Monde http://motard-du-monde.net
https://www.facebook.com/MotardDuMonde.net

HI Damien,
I'm doing a very loosely defined south-to-north, from Ushuaia to Colombia. It started as a straight line, turned into a zig-zag, and now I'm doing circles! Heading back into Bolivia for a bit longer before continuing north again. I lost a pannier in Bolivia and switched to soft panniers - hence why I have one Zega spare!

P

Hi Paul,

Seems to be a very nice trip...
Maybe we cross our roads somewhere in South America....

Damien

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Damien - Motard du Monde http://motard-du-monde.net
https://www.facebook.com/MotardDuMonde.net

Hey, I'm currently in Arequipa with a recently purchased bike that I've just been strapping my bag to the seat.
What system did you use to attach the zega's to the bike?
Why the change to soft panniers?

Opinions on panniers are all appreciated!

Hi Steve,

The Zegas attach to a Touratech frame. The attachment system is such that you need exactly the right size frame.

I switched to soft panniers partly because I had to bring something back from UK to replace the Zegas and I could simply put soft panniers in a bag with the rest of my stuff. But I had been debating with myself for the previous 6 months whilst on the road about soft v hard. So many pros and cons. But what swung it for me is the amount of dirt road riding I've been doing. The metal panniers sit higher up (higher CofG). All the weight goes through the sub frame whereas soft panniers spread their weight across the pillion seat: when riding a lot on rough ground, I imagined all that stress on the sub-frame - and the aluminium on one pannier was starting to fatique and crack. I've dropped my bike plenty of times in the sand and mud, and had a couple of close calls nearly getting my leg trapped under the pannier. And unless I packed them REALLY precisely, something was always rattling inside. Stuff sacks were slowly wearing out from rubbing, and everything gets covered in black aluminium residue. And of course, I'd lost one hard pannier with all its contents because the attachment system failed, so that alone was reason enough to go for soft panniers and lots of heavy-duty straps!!

That said, hard panniers have obvious advantages which I miss. Much easier to just chuck stuff in and get things out whilst on the road. Great for sitting on or using as wind shields when camping. Easier to take on and off (but a pain in the ass to carry in and out of hostels). And more protection for you stuff inside when you drop the bike. And they provide a bit more security if you have to leave your bike.

If you are staying mainly on asphalt and good dirt roads, I'd go for hard. If you actively seek out every dirt road and crappy track going (I have an up-specced Tenere so I enjoy the rough stuff), soft is the way to go.

Might see you on the road. I'm still up in Cusco and need to head back to Titicaca to re-enter Peru and renew my visas. Then I'll be heading north.

Hope that helps!!!

Paul