Touring - REI Safari Panners ?

Does anybody use REI Novara Safari Panniers, they look pretty nice.

Was thinking about the smaller ones on the back for short trips.


wll

Wll, I haven't used these myself, but I looked at the specs on REI's web site and they look like a slightly junior version of the Ortlieb waterproof bags that I have. And those smaller ones are on sale for less than $100 a pair through Sunday!

As others can attest on this forum, REI has an outstanding return policy in the event you're not satisfied with the bags. Sounds like it's worth a try, they look great.

Ken

I saw them in REI a while back and they look very good. Couple the relatively low price with REI's warranty and the Ortlieb-like mounting and you can't go wrong.

http://www.rei.com/product/749153

http://media.rei.com/media/s/1143224.jpg (http://www.rei.com/product/749153)

The zippers could be a weak point, and personally i would go for ortlieb for just $30 more at thetouringstore.com

I was really interested in these, but there isn't a way to add a shoulder strap for off-the-bike carrying.

i used them. using them right now. no complains. no water or dew problems. they have been REALLY hardy and i like them more than my orthleibs like AGU panniers in the front. for the shoulder carry thing, you can do 2 things. find a strap and buy the plastic clips, clip them and go. or make your own rack thing that you can have on your shoulders.

Where can you find these clips? They didn't fit the standard ones sold in the REI camping section.

Hey wll,

I used (lived out of) the Novara Safari panniers for about 6 months putting in about 3K miles. By the end of the trip the zippers were both having a LOT of trouble zipping open and closed, and looked like they were just about to bust open. Also, the reflectors are pretty sub-par compared to just about every single other bag I've ever seen. The bright side is that when I took them back to REI they gave me my money back in under 45 seconds. That money went right into a set of Ortlieb BikePacker rear bags. I love 'em. If you can buy them through REI, now that would be a real treat. I have frontrollers on the front rack and they don't seem to pack in quite as much stuff... (due to the design, not the volume!)

My recommendation to you is the same advise that a wise man once gave me:

"Do whatever makes you blissful."

Peace.

Hey wll,

I used (lived out of) the Novara Safari panniers for about 6 months putting in about 3K miles. By the end of the trip the zippers were both having a LOT of trouble zipping open and closed, and looked like they were just about to bust open. Also, the reflectors are pretty sub-par compared to just about every single other bag I've ever seen. The bright side is that when I took them back to REI they gave me my money back in under 45 seconds. That money went right into a set of Ortlieb BikePacker rear bags. I love 'em. If you can buy them through REI, now that would be a real treat. I have frontrollers on the front rack and they don't seem to pack in quite as much stuff... (due to the design, not the volume!)

My recommendation to you is the same advise that a wise man once gave me:

"Do whatever makes you blissful."

Peace.

This weekend I bought REI Transfer Panniers, I like them a lot, have loaded them up and I like the pockets they have. They have rain covers should it get wet and I think they will be fine for my use.

I have long list of items that are in the panniers already and need just to add a few more.

As of now they contain:

Two rolls of toilet paper
5 Shirts - 3 long sleeve, 2 short sleeve
2 T shirts
3 pr underwear
Two pr of cargo shorts
3 pr socks
2 pr of extra reading glasses
1 pr of Pearl Izumi leg warmers
One light REI (down syn) jacket (sleeves may be taken off and used as a vest)
One light rain jacket.
One pants and jacket set (Starter Brand (very light), bought at Walmart, very cool)
Weekender first aid kit (pretty big and has lots of stuff)


Items in Novara Deluxe Rack Bag are:

10 nutrition bars.
Knife
Tools set
Deodorant
4 razors
Tooth brush and paste
Soap
Spare tire
Spare tube
Patch kit
Handy wipes
Flash Light (hand pumped, does not need batteries)
Cat eye bike light (very good unit bought at Performance Bike in Santa Monica, European model)
Heavy duty cable lock

The only thing I will add will be a water filtration unit (have lots of bottles water at home), and a pair of light tough shoes. these bags are for my bike, but if I need they can quickly be thrown in my car if driving permits. All items are grouped and in zip lock bags for rain protection should it be nasty weather.

This system is based on the fact that an emergency can happen at anytime, and I need to be prepared, I can use it on a bike should roads be clogged or we have an major gas crunch, or it can be used in the case of another emergency of some type. This (emergency kit) won't keep you going for a long time, but it can help for a few days till things settle down. The reason for this set up is my dad who is 92 lives about 15 miles from me and I will need to get to him should the need arise, and # two, my business is about the same distance should I need to get there in an emergency if roads are clogger or ?


Now comes the challenge of what bike to buy, I like the REI Safari, but I'm going to Hollywood Pro Bike shop this weekend as the have Surly and Salsa frames and will build a custom bike for you (very cool).

So we will see !


wll

This weekend I bought REI Transfer Panniers, I like them a lot, have loaded them up and I like the pockets they have. They have rain covers should it get wet and I think they will be fine for my use.

I have long list of items that are in the panniers already and need just to add a few more.

As of now they contain:

Two rolls of toilet paper
5 Shirts - 3 long sleeve, 2 short sleeve
2 T shirts
3 pr underwear
Two pr of cargo shorts
3 pr socks
2 pr of extra reading glasses
1 pr of Pearl Izumi leg warmers
One light REI (down syn) jacket (sleeves may be taken off and used as a vest)
One light rain jacket.
One pants and jacket set (Starter Brand (very light), bought at Walmart, very cool)
Weekender first aid kit (pretty big and has lots of stuff)


Items in Novara Deluxe Rack Bag are:

10 nutrition bars.
Knife
Tools set
Deodorant
4 razors
Tooth brush and paste
Soap
Spare tire
Spare tube
Patch kit
Handy wipes
Flash Light (hand pumped, does not need batteries)
Cat eye bike light (very good unit bought at Performance Bike in Santa Monica, European model)
Heavy duty cable lock


You carry this around on a daily basis? That is impressive. Do you live in a very remote area?

No, this "kit" is just for emergency situation, I will build a small one that has just tools, firts aid kit, for everyday.


wll