Hi Fernando,
Those racks look pretty robust to me. The flat plate which the pannier fits to looks like it negates the need to reinforce the inner side of the boxes too.
What part of the rack is it that got bent? If it was those curious little brackets at the back which look like they are for locking the box to the rack then I wouldn't worry. Great thing about steel is you can bash it back into shape easily and repeatedly. The racks appear to brace against each other at the back under the number plate so should be resistant to folding inwards if you drop the bike.
Looks fine to me!
Matt

Yeap, you're spot on there Matt...That's exactly what bent!

My problem here is that I haven't got tools, haven't got a garage to work on the bike, we live in a room (that's how we saved for the trip) and got to put up with it.

Anyway Matt, thanks very much, it may sound stupid but I'm feeling a lot better now about the panniers and frames.

Cheers
Fernando

When are you going to be in Norway Fernando? I'm leaving towards the end of July for a two week holiday there with some mates. Maybe I'll see you on the road?
Matt

Umm, will be in Norway in the first week of July :(

You're just going there and back or you're doing the baltics as well??

Would be really nice to meet you and hear the tales you have to tell about Romania (not so good)/Bulgaria/Turkey :)

Fernando

It seems that aluminium is the serious way to go for serious trips, but what are peoples experiences of plastic for "milder" uses.
What are the Givi E36's like ?

Yep me too. Dropped the bike and that bit did bend and made difficult to fit the pannier. Easy enough to fix... with a hammer :)

Fernando, any idea what the alu top box is from in the photo you posted? EICB does not sell alu top boxes and I'm quite keen to replace my plastic one for an alu. I liked the look of this one!

Cheers,
Maria