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12-05-05, 07:44 PM
Hey folks,
I am a newbie in touring looking to embark on a Eurotour this summer. I am very interested in making a Pannier system involving the Arkel Attachment kit and some buckets/plastic crates. The thing is that i have found some excellent crates but they are kindoff wide (about 35 cm) when compared to regular panniers. So i am wondering, does this matter? Is there a reason why most panniers/bags are rather slim (and often long/high) rather than wide. It would seem to me that it is easier to get find stuff in a somewhat wider container. I do realize wind resistance might be increased but i am not going for max speed. I have seen some people use some HUGE buckets (buckets of Doom) but mine are actually fairly small in height department (about 40 cm) which i am guessing would reduce wind drag somewhat compared to wide and high buckets.
I have thought about the added width possibly hindering me otherwise but i figured the panniers wouldn't be all that much wider than my shoulders so in terms of manouvering around things i don't see that many problems either.
I do realize it won't look so nice but that is no biggie. Any thoughts or opinions? Did i miss some things that make these panniers a bad idea? Maybe i should keep looking for narrower versions? You guys know any buckets that would be more suitable?
By the way my Tour will be on a 20 inch folder Raleigh Twenty, so my panniers simply can not be to high/deep.
I am a newbie in touring looking to embark on a Eurotour this summer. I am very interested in making a Pannier system involving the Arkel Attachment kit and some buckets/plastic crates. The thing is that i have found some excellent crates but they are kindoff wide (about 35 cm) when compared to regular panniers. So i am wondering, does this matter? Is there a reason why most panniers/bags are rather slim (and often long/high) rather than wide. It would seem to me that it is easier to get find stuff in a somewhat wider container. I do realize wind resistance might be increased but i am not going for max speed. I have seen some people use some HUGE buckets (buckets of Doom) but mine are actually fairly small in height department (about 40 cm) which i am guessing would reduce wind drag somewhat compared to wide and high buckets.
I have thought about the added width possibly hindering me otherwise but i figured the panniers wouldn't be all that much wider than my shoulders so in terms of manouvering around things i don't see that many problems either.
I do realize it won't look so nice but that is no biggie. Any thoughts or opinions? Did i miss some things that make these panniers a bad idea? Maybe i should keep looking for narrower versions? You guys know any buckets that would be more suitable?
By the way my Tour will be on a 20 inch folder Raleigh Twenty, so my panniers simply can not be to high/deep.