Touring - Axiom Panniers

Hello,

Just got a new 04 Cannondale T2000. Thinking of using my old Axiom panniers for the back end and buying some new Axiom LaSalles for the front.

Has anyone had any experience with the front mounted LaSalles? Is it best to get a standard front pannier mount or the low rider version? and brand recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

I have not had good luck with the Axiom panniers, low quality in the stitching, but I had them 3 years ago.

I have had good luck with Cannondale, that is what I use mostly now. I have also used Jandd and Arkel with good results. Also heard good things about Lone Peak, but I have no experience there.

Tim

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=12441&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I think these may be the panniers that Tim is talking about. I'm getting 2 pair for Chirstmas. I'm so excited!! :D

Good price too!!

Yes, I use that pair as my front panniers. I use a slightly larger version as my rears.

I am VERY happy with them, mostly because they have a frame and hold shape well, and also the attachment system is the best I have ever used.

I even have my whole set in bright red (custom made for the company I work for, and no longer available from cannondale)

Tim

Thanks for the replys.

velotimbe, was the problem with the Axioms the seam stiitching pulling apart? I haven't used my pair for long distance touring yet but they have held up well on 3-4 day outings? thinking it would be nice to have a matched set . . . the rain covers have proved handy, too.

but I will check out the Cannondales. Looks like there must be a zipper across the bottom to make them expandable. nashbar also shows a slightly bigger version of them for $99. Looks like the only difference might be capacity.

rsw

For one, the retention system was somewhat ghetto. It was mostly a bungee cord, with a hook to put around the bottom of the rack. It was not very secure, and one big bump, and the pannier is rolling down the road next to you.

Also, the zippers seamed to always get caught for me, at one point it was caught so much I had to yank hard, and I felt as if it almost broke. Not something I want out on the road.....

They probably are not too bad, but I am just so happy with my Cannondales, I see no reason to use anything else.

Tim

Hello rsw,

Congratulations on your new bike, I have one of the kind too and I´m very satisfied with it. I have just finished a tour in New Zealand and the good old Karrimor rear bags fit very well to the T2000.

However I have a problem finding a handlebar bag which fit between the brakewires. How have you solved that problem?

I´m a bit annoyed, becauce the commercial folders from Cannondale shows bikes with handlebar bag, but they do not show how it is mounted? and how they find space for it?

Regards
Per

Yeah- about that.

Cannondale used to be the king of touring, and now they run STI. Oh well. To get the best fit, you must run bar-end shifters.

However, the company I work for uses cannondale exclusively, so we make do with what we got. I have found that getting a 90 degree v-brake noodle, and installing it upside down into the STI works the best.

Run the tapered end into the STI, put the cable through, and put the housing into the ferrule end. Then cut the appropriate amount of housing off (so the housing doenst bunch up) and BINGO!

This method allows cannondale handlebar bags to be used on bars as narrow as 42cm.

Tim

Hi Tim,

Bar-end shifters are not for me, I can imagine the difficulties in the very hilly areas f.ex. New Zealand where I was using shifters very often.

Is your description to be understood in the way as shown here? http://www.panniers.com/technical/shiftersBB.asp

If so, yes it´s a possibility on the tour, but using the bike as your common means of transport without the bag, it looks a bit foolish I think.

Per

Nope, not that complicated.

Just one of these beasts.

And if you are worried about how it looks, I think you have the wrong sport.

Tim

Oh yeah Tim, it looks to be a great way - thank you for showing it.

Is that a common part to buy in bicyclestores or should it be ordered through the net?

Per

Most bike shops should have them in stock, and they cost about $1 each.

Make sure to ask for 90 degree ones (the most common), as they also make 60 degree and 135 degree, both of which wont work as well.

Tim

I have Axiom panniers and haven't had any problems with them, the price was right. But when I graduate college and get a real job I want some Jandds, I just got a Jandd messenger bag and the thing is a beast I assume the panniers will be the same. I almost got the LaSalles but I ended up getting an older model.

My experiance is limited to.....Nashbar bags(good for light utility), Jandd bags(VERY well made heavy work)
and military bags( bulletproof do anything).

The military surplus bags are great but are sometimes hard to adapt to cycling. Of the other two I prefer
Jandd bags by a wide margin. They are high quality well made,you buy it once kinda product.

low rider panniers = lower center of gravity = increased stability and handling. it's a no brainer. as far as brands go, buy WATERPROOF panniers, not panniers that come with rain covers. they're just something extra to carry. i did a 5000 mile tour with nashbar panniers on my cannondale 1000 with 70 lbs. of gear.
even though they were well worn at the end of the trip, they never failed me. they kept my stuff dry, the stitching held up, and i never had a pannier bounce off the rack. and you can't beat the price. right now you can get a full set for less than $100. if money is not a concern and you want the very best panniers, check out ortliebs. they are waterproof, almost bombproof and will probably last you a lifetime.
b.s.98