Touring - Panniers for Trek 520

I know this is going to sound like a silly question but I'm gonna ask anyway. :)

What color of panniers look best with the Trek 520? I know black goes with anything and would suit me just fine but do the Fire Engine Red Arkel's look good on it as well? It makes sense that adding a little color like yellow or red might make the bike more visible but I don't want to do that at the expense of making the whole setup look ugly. Anybody willing to post pictures of their 520 with their panniers?

Thanks

Might be a case for the Fab 5? Have you considered applying for a slot as a "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" fashion makeover participant?

;)

Might be a case for the Fab 5? Have you considered applying for a slot as a "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" fashion makeover participant?

;)

:roflmao:

I know it's a silly question. I was origionally only thinking about black but several people suggested yellow or red for saftey reasons because it makes you more visable in low light conditions. I'm so bad at color coordinating things that I usually let my wife pick out my shirts and dress ties. In this case she told me that the black looks best so maybe I should just listen to her. ;)

It's a bit of a strange question. Do you have the deep blue (1999, 2000), metallic grey (2001) or green (2003, 2004) Trek? Or one of a different colour?

Red is nice when new, but tends to fade with the sun. My GT-54, used so far for about 5 weeks spread over 3.5 years (3 tours plus a few occasions I had too much to carry) are a deep red, whereas my T-42, used litterally year round for the last 6 years (one pannier 365 days/year, the other 150 days/year) almost look pink. They were of similar colour at the beginning. The light red has a safety aspect, but the deep red is not that visible.

Yellow (available in a few models) doesn't seem too practical. Very visible, however.

Green and blue (some models only) seem very practical. The green is rather dark but not too dark, whereas the blue is a medium blue. Both colours shouldn't look too dirty after a tour.

Black should work fine... except in Winter (white salt spots), and all models are available in black.

From a safety viewpoint, their reflective bands are quite wide and go all around panniers.

I know it's a silly question. I was origionally only thinking about black but several people suggested yellow or red for saftey reasons because it makes you more visable in low light conditions.

In low light conditions red will just look gray. In fact all of the Arkel colors are fairly dark and would not stand out in low light. The Arkel panniers do have a reflective strip on them, and you could always get the yellow rain covers to throw over them at night.

BTW I have the black T-42 rear panniers on my bike. I have poor color perception and absolutely no sense of style, but I think red might look good with the dark green of the frame. Or black. Or maybe the teal :D

It's a bit of a strange question. Do you have the deep blue (1999, 2000), metallic grey (2001) or green (2003, 2004) Trek? Or one of a different colour?

Red is nice when new, but tends to fade with the sun. My GT-54, used so far for about 5 weeks spread over 3.5 years (3 tours plus a few occasions I had too much to carry) are a deep red, whereas my T-42, used litterally year round for the last 6 years (one pannier 365 days/year, the other 150 days/year) almost look pink. They were of similar colour at the beginning. The light red has a safety aspect, but the deep red is not that visible.

Yellow (available in a few models) doesn't seem too practical. Very visible, however.

Green and blue (some models only) seem very practical. The green is rather dark but not too dark, whereas the blue is a medium blue. Both colours shouldn't look too dirty after a tour.

Black should work fine... except in Winter (white salt spots), and all models are available in black.

From a safety viewpoint, their reflective bands are quite wide and go all around panniers.

I have the 2004 green.

The issue with the colors fading makes good sense. I had not thought about that. Also if the red doesn't really add much to the visability aspect then I will eleminate that as a factor in making my descision.


Thanks for your input!

In low light conditions red will just look gray. In fact all of the Arkel colors are fairly dark and would not stand out in low light. The Arkel panniers do have a reflective strip on them, and you could always get the yellow rain covers to throw over them at night.

BTW I have the black T-42 rear panniers on my bike. I have poor color perception and absolutely no sense of style, but I think red might look good with the dark green of the frame. Or black. Or maybe the teal :D


Thanks! Your information helps.

Thanks! Your information helps.

Wait! I wanted to weigh in with my fashion advice. Match your panier color to your socks and waterbottle holder. In my case, they are all yellow.

Wait! I wanted to weigh in with my fashion advice. Match your panier color to your socks and waterbottle holder. In my case, they are all yellow.



Maybe I should pick a color besides black. :D Then they could match (or clash) with the rest of my typical outfit. Red, white and blue helmet, red bandana, blue jersey, black wind breaker, black and or red socks, and depending on which bike I'm riding either yellow, grey, or brown bike shoes. :lol:

Thanks everybody for all of your input. After getting a bunch of email, getting advice from this forum as well as a touring listserve I subscribe to I decided to buy Arkels. I just got off the phone from placing my order and should be receiving them by Monday.

BTW, I chose black! :D

I know this is going to sound like a silly question but I'm gonna ask anyway. :)

What color of panniers look best with the Trek 520? I know black goes with anything and would suit me just fine but do the Fire Engine Red Arkel's look good on it as well? It makes sense that adding a little color like yellow or red might make the bike more visible but I don't want to do that at the expense of making the whole setup look ugly. Anybody willing to post pictures of their 520 with their panniers?

Thanks

I really wanted red to match the red stripes on my bike, but then I thought about stealth camping. I don't want my bike or panniers to stand out, so I got black.

You'll want to get the Arkel rain covers for your pannier which are bright yellow with reflective strip on them. Thus you can get whatever color pannier you desire and then put the covers on them if you think you need the greater visibility (or if it's raining of course). If you ride with these on all the time the color fading will be reduced as well. When you are at camp (or taking photos :) ) you can removed the covers and enjoy the style.

You'll want to get the Arkel rain covers for your pannier which are bright yellow with reflective strip on them. Thus you can get whatever color pannier you desire and then put the covers on them if you think you need the greater visibility (or if it's raining of course). If you ride with these on all the time the color fading will be reduced as well. When you are at camp (or taking photos :) ) you can removed the covers and enjoy the style.

Yes, I ordered the rain covers as well. I also ordered front panniers and the big bar bag and rain covers for them too. Now I'm sitting here thinking what in the hell have I done! I just spent 50% of the price I paid for my bike just for panniers and racks! :eek: Oh well, everyone has assured me I won't regret buying Arkels. :)

Thanks everybody for all of your input. After getting a bunch of email, getting advice from this forum as well as a touring listserve I subscribe to I decided to buy Arkels. I just got off the phone from placing my order and should be receiving them by Monday.

BTW, I chose black! :D

Ok Krispy, since you're going basic black on the bags here's a way to add some color to your ride. Buy some fenders, doesn't matter what brand, and paint them Hi-Viz yellow. Chrome yellow will also work. Krylon paint should do the trick.

Ok Krispy, since you're going basic black on the bags here's a way to add some color to your ride. Buy some fenders, doesn't matter what brand, and paint them Hi-Viz yellow. Chrome yellow will also work. Krylon paint should do the trick.

:lol: