Touring - nashbar day trekker panier + rack trunk issue

So.. the nashbar day trekker panniers aren't really compatible with a rack trunk, at least not with the nashbar deluxe version.

Any suggestions how to mate the two together? I'm thinking of cuttings slits in the center section of the pannier to allow the rack trunk straps to pass through. I have a friend with a professional embroidery machine and I bet I can have her embroider little rectangles in the areas where I want to cut the slits so the material would be bound around the edges.. probably even stitch in some reinforcement at the ends of the slits.

that, or maybe getting some of the plastic hardware from a outdoor shop and just install it on the trunk using the existing velcro (just slide it through the strap and voila) and then fashion a mate for each of the pannier's existing straps to affix them together with.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/vw_nick/P1060247.jpg

aw crap. i was just wondering about this very thing today, i ordered the panniers and trunk bag last week during the sale but havent gotton them yet.... hmm. have you tried interlocking the straps from the trunk bag unto the straps of the top of the panniers?

Just fasten the panniers straps together, and loop the velcro fasteners thru them, and fasten like normally.

I like the idea of cutting slots, given that there's not going to be a load bearing on the pannier section I bet you could simple cut it with a soldering iron and let the melted edges seal the unraveling. My experience with trunk bags is that it's still worth strapping down since stuff sitting in a bag can flop side to side. Just for the heck of it experiment with the rack truck by itself with a bag of oranges with and without a criss crossing bungie. I'm guessing it'll ride better strapped down,,once you do that the straps are kind of irrelevant.

I have an extra rack here at work and brought them in to look at the situation - you can actually mount it pretty securely without any modifications, it's more clear once you see the panniers on the rack and try to mount the bag.

With the panniers mounted, you can secure the front of the trunk using the trunk's straps as intended - by going around the outside of the pannier center section, around the rack, and back up to fasten to the velcro on the side of the trunk. The bag section of the panniers is rearward enough not to be in the way.

For the rear - you can use the pannier's center load carrying strap, as already mentioned - just tighten it up and loop the trunk's straps around it. It's not perfect, as it lacks some side-to side stability, but works and will likely work well enough. I may still elect to make some slits with for the rear straps for extra stability.

overall - I'm really impressed with the stuff. it's a heck of a setup for the money.

There's always a way. Cycle-tourists, by nature, are good at making things work.

I have an extra rack here at work and brought them in to look at the situation - you can actually mount it pretty securely without any modifications, it's more clear once you see the panniers on the rack and try to mount the bag.

With the panniers mounted, you can secure the front of the trunk using the trunk's straps as intended - by going around the outside of the pannier center section, around the rack, and back up to fasten to the velcro on the side of the trunk. The bag section of the panniers is rearward enough not to be in the way.

For the rear - you can use the pannier's center load carrying strap, as already mentioned - just tighten it up and loop the trunk's straps around it. It's not perfect, as it lacks some side-to side stability, but works and will likely work well enough. I may still elect to make some slits with for the rear straps for extra stability.

overall - I'm really impressed with the stuff. it's a heck of a setup for the money.
i just got my bags and i think i did the same thing, seems to work just fine. man these bags were totally worth the money while they were on sale :)

my trunk bag had to be moved back a tad bit because of the springs on my brooks saddle, meh. no biggie.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3239408223_84bb489f9d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3239406637_e291e04b04.jpg

Looks like you did the reverse of what I came up with since you needed the bag set rearward. Looks like they were a little more generous with the length of the straps with the version trunk you got...

to you more experienced folks - you'll have to forgive my excitement over this stuff... putting together something suitable for touring has been and will be a slow, slow process. Last spring, it was tires & a mirror, this fall fenders and rear rack... now rear bags and a tail light this month. It's one major step closer to completion. In the very least I plan to do the MS150 ride this October without checking bags.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/vw_nick/P1060252.jpg

i just found out that the nashbar trunk bag comes with a strap and neon water proof cover!!! its in the little compartment on the bottom of the bag. or maybe everyone already knew...

I saw the rain cover in the extended description of your item... However, looking back at my item's description, I can't located the "built-in rain cover" and "removable wallet"

What did you pay for those, as a pair? I'll have to keep an eye out for them on sale again.

It would be nice to have something besides my grocery panniers....

the panniers were $13.99 and the rack trunk was $14.99

I'm gonna keep an eye on those 72% off sales - maybe they will come up again.