old, simple panniers vs new fancy ones

[Kelly Iniguez]

Wayne-

And which panniers do you like better, the old Rhode Gears or the Maddens?
I toured for years with old purple Avenier panniers that were one large
compartment, one small outside compartment, and then a zipper section on the
coverflap. The purple finally faded to gray and the elastic of the simple
attachement system was dying so I bought a pair of very nice Jandd panniers
from a phreder. I have a set of Jandd grocery panniers that I have abused
terribly over the years and they still perform like day one. The first thing
I noticed about the multi-compartment/pocket Jandd's was how heavy they were
compared to the Aveniers. I installed and used them last winter. I never did
get used to having all of the compartments - I was forever looking for
something in the wrong section. Perhaps it is not a pannier thing, but an
organization thing. I am used to putting my things in baggies and then
dumping them in the big compartment - organized by baggie, but not by
compartment. Anal but not too anal?

I have a similar situation with an ancient Cannondale handlebar bag and a
new Arkel with all of the bells and whistles - the weight of the Arkel is so
much more that I have owned it two years and never installed it or used it
even once. It is a nice decoration on my dresser though. : )

Anyone else unable to give up their tried and true bags? I do admire the
progress and features of the new bags - but the weight . . . I will say
that I love my new very heavy (in comparasion) Velo tent. However, I
wouldn't carry it alone if I couldn't divide the weight with a fellow
cyclist. The old Clip Flashlight is lightweight, but not spacious.

There - have I distracted everyone from the gun debate?

Kelly
----- Original Message -----
From: "Estes Wayne-W10191" <W10191-3WKxDLwmzFNWk0Htik3J/***@public.gmane.org>
To: <touring-***@public.gmane.org>
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 9:16 AM
Subject: Grab and run

How many panniers nowadays are actually susceptible to "grab and run"?

Don't they all have some kind of mechanism that secures the pannier to the
rack. When a thief tries to grab a pannier, isn't it usually attached to
the rack somehow? And isn't the release mechanism somewhat hidden? And if
the thief notices/finds the release mechanism, isn't it hard to tell at a
glance how the release mechanism works?

My Madden panniers have a very cumbersome mechanism to secure the panniers

to the rack. Once the securing strap is cinched, to release it you have to
reach between the pannier and the spokes and press a button that is
virtually invisible at a glance. It's a real nuisance for me to do, so it
is probably highly resistant to "grab and run".

On my winter commuting bike (1987 Trek 520) I have an ancient Rhode Gear

pannier that has no locking mechanism. The only thing holding the pannier
on is the tension of a bungee cord. It is highly susceptible to grab and
run. Also susceptible to flying off when I go over a tree root at 20+ mph.

Wayne Estes
Mundelein, IL, USA
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[Estes Wayne-W10191]

Kelly Iniquez wrote:

And which panniers do you like better, the old Rhode Gears or the Maddens? I toured for years with old purple Avenier panniers that were one large compartment, one small outside compartment, and then a zipper section on the coverflap. The purple finally faded to gray and the elastic of the simple attachement system was dying so I bought a pair of very nice Jandd panniers from a phreder. I have a set of Jandd grocery panniers that I have abused terribly over the years and they still perform like day one.

Wayne replies:

Good question. I liked my 1980's Rhode Gear panniers at the time, but the lack of a latching mechanism was a problem. More than once I broke a spoke because a pannier came off the rack and hooked onto a spoke. And one time it took about 30 minutes to FIND a pannier in the bushes after it fell off on a fast descent. But I really liked the easy access to the zippered main compartment, and the 4 outside compartments on each pannier. I tended to overstuff the panniers, and the seams tended to tear apart. I hand-sewed those panniers MANY times. I finally threw away the pannier that was falling apart the most, and only use the one remaining pannier about 20 days per year on my winter commuter bike.

My Madden Buzzard panniers are much larger, but I don't think they are significantly heavier. After 9 tours those panniers are dirty, but don't seem very worn at all. They seem like they will last a very long time. I have mixed feelings about the top-entry duffel bag type of opening for the main compartment. It's really a hassle to get stuff out, but the size is more adjustable and it is more waterproof. So I try not to put items in the main compartment if I need frequent access to those items.

I also have a 1980's Cannondale handlebar bag that is very worn. I don't use it any more because it doesn't work with my recumbent touring setup. But I still haven't been motivated to throw it away. The Cannondale handlebar bag and the Rhode Gear panniers were bright red when new. But now they are faded pink. Lots of character, I suppose.

In the last 7 years I have replaced a lot of my touring equipment: Madden Buzzard panniers to replace the Rhode Gear panniers that were falling apart. Optimus Nova stove because my old Coleman Peak1 isn't legal in airline luggage. Big Agnes sleeping bag and mattress pad that give me a much better night's sleep. Lightweight raingear that is comfortable in warmer temperatures than my old rainsuit. AM/FM/weather radio because the old radio died, and it didn't receive NOAA weather broadcasts. Black Diamond Zenix LED headlight that gives better quality light and far longer battery life than my old mini Maglight. A Topeak Combo Master Blaster pump that I like much better than my old Zefal HP-X3. A Ciclosport CM-414 altimeter computer that replaces an Avocet 50 altimeter computer that was no longer waterproof. I generally like the new equipment much better than the old equipment it repl
aced. But I still use a 16 year old Sierra Designs Half Moon tent, and have spent nearl!
y 400 nights in that tent. And I still use my original Coleman Peak1 solo cook set. And I still use one old Rhode gear pannier on my winter commuting bike.

Wayne Estes
Mundelein, IL, USA