Touring - Axiom Typhoon/ Monsoon

Axiom's Typhoon and Monsoon panniers look like a nice alternative to Ortliebs or other similar waterproof, roll-top designs. The Typoon and Monsoon panniers are clearly supposed to look like ortliebs and thus might be labeled 'knock-offs.' I'm not expecting them to be on par with Ortliebs, but those german gems are out of my budget.

So, does anyone have any experience with these panniers? I hear they're part of something that Axiom calls their stormfront series. The only thread i found mentioning them was the cost breakdown of the Nashbar Tourer.

monsoon
http://online.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/BG6664.jpg

typhoon
http://online.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/BG6662.jpg

The only thread i found mentioning them was the cost breakdown of the Nashbar Tourer.


When my current panniers fall apart, I plan to try the Axiom Typhoons (about $80 at aebike.com for a pair). I found a wee bit more about them in the forum:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=210535&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See post #9)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=280380&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See post #4)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=288409&highlight=axiom+typhoon

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=336351&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See #13)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=203798&highlight=axiom+typhoon

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=292164&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See #16)

not sure how i missed all that. i searched a few times and got nothing, then found that one thread.

edit: i forgot to search the rest of BF... sometimes i forget that it exists.

I can't speak for those particular panniers from Axiom but I have found their other panniers have held up well for me and seem to be well made (if that means anything)

Although I haven't ridden them (or any other panniers for that matter), I did purchase a pair of Typhoons off the 'bay for an upcoming tour. If my uneducated opinion means anything, they do seem well made and easy to use.

I hope you get some more helpful replies soon.

Greetings from the Great American Desert:

I have owned the Typhoon bags for about a year. They are my regular commuting luggage - but I'm not sure I would want to take them too far from home.

Positives:
Easy to mount on, and dismount from, a rear rack.

Bags snap together for ease of carrying.

Very striking appearance (and I like the mathematical mystique of the name).

Negatives:
Still have no idea what it takes to get a response from the company for questions. They list an e-mail address on their website ... but no one ever writes back.

Are not designed to stand up on their own ... and fall over at inopportune times.

Not even close to being waterproof, and I would only use them in a very dry state (such as Utah ... dry in more than one sense of the word). The biggest offenders are those outside pockets - they let water in, but will not let water out - so they are suitable only for goldfish or completely waterproof items. Under no circumstances would I put a cell phone, or a camera, in those outside pockets.

In the desert they work OK ... but I would not recommend them for any locale where it rains regularly.

Not even close to being waterproof, and I would only use them in a very dry state (such as Utah ... dry in more than one sense of the word). The biggest offenders are those outside pockets - they let water in, but will not let water out - so they are suitable only for goldfish or completely waterproof items. Under no circumstances would I put a cell phone, or a camera, in those outside pockets.


Hi Nate1952 --

For clarification, does the entire bag leak, or just the outside pocket? Asked differently, does the leak along the outside pocket result in water inside the main compartment, or just the outside pocket?

Have you notice leakage with both (or all) your typhoons, or just one?

In those links above, a few people said they were great as far as waterproofing goes. the website also calls them waterproof.

bwgride - You are awesome!!. Thanks for all the links.


When my current panniers fall apart, I plan to try the Axiom Typhoons (about $80 at aebike.com for a pair). I found a wee bit more about them in the forum:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=210535&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See post #9)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=280380&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See post #4)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=288409&highlight=axiom+typhoon

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=336351&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See #13)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=203798&highlight=axiom+typhoon

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=292164&highlight=axiom+typhoon (See #16)

I don't see any outer pocket on pic thats showing on start of thread. I lok for them online and all I seen were out of stock. Is the attachment hooks as good as Ortlieb??? Ok, now I see the pocket, with the zipper it must leak then...

I've got a pair I've commuted with for about 1 year. I've yet to have any pproblems with water leaking inside of these bags - and you may have heard that it rains a little out here in Seattle. I've never owned Ortleibs, but I've brought dry changes of clothes to work and never had an issue with water leaking in.

These aren't dry bags for kayaking, they're panniers for a bike rack.

I have Typhoons and Monsoons.

With the exception of the zippered pockets on the outside flap, they are waterproof. I've never had anything get wet even in a downpour.

However, those outside pockets are decidedly not waterproof - it is almost remarkable how easily water gets past the zipper and into the pocket. I love the panniers overall and I love the price, but that aspect has to almost be called a design flaw.

i ended up getting the typhoons. they've held up really well, and haven't come off the rack. i was clipped by a cab in downtown DC on my out to the c&o canal, the rear bumper scraped right across the plastic buckle, and its none the worse for wear. i can't attest to the waterproofness of that outside pocket, but i will tell you that the backside of the pocket is mesh, so i assume it isn't meant for anything electronic, etc. could be used for arm/leg warmers, etc.