Commuting - I'm so bummed/excited about Arkel

I was just checking out Arkel's site www.panniers.com and decided to look at my wonderfull bug (under urban panniers). See I own a bug and love it. Much to my envy they upgraded the bug a lot for 2005 which includes some new pockets and a helmet holder. Very cool. But the reason I'm still excited is because I've decided my cheap "leave on the bike" pannier just isn't cutting it any more. It's a trek bag and it actually fell off the bike while going over a bump the other day. I realized that this was because the bag was deformed from having so much stuff crammed in it. So I need some more room and decided to order the Utitity Basket. Does anyone have this pannier? It looks like they upgraded it a bit for 2005. I guess I should order it very soon so I can get a full year's use before becoming envious of the 2006 model. Have fun...

ray

Glad you like your Bug. I'm still pondering getting one. The helmet holder is a big plus.

I went to the grocery store this morning with my 05 bug.
Dropped in a 1/2 gallon of milk, jar of mayo, 4 cans of tuna, box of tea and a loaf of bread. The bread was sticking half out the top. ;)

I love it.

I got my 05 Bug not long ago, and I love it. I'll be getting one of their utility baskets soon.

I have an Arkel Utility Basket Pannier. It is great for commuting and errands. Just one huge bag with a small zipper pocket for wallet, rain cover, etc. I don't use it that much for daily commuting anymore only because I got a great clearance deal on some Ortlieb Mini Biker Lights that are waterproof. I still grab the UBP when I need more space. I keep looking at the Bug. Sometimes it would be nice to have that backpack capability.

Does the bungee run through a loop or anything near the bottom to keep it from flapping latteraly over bumps?

Does the bungee run through a loop or anything near the bottom to keep it from flapping latteraly over bumps?
Yep. Damn good designers at Arkel. Really well thought out products.

I have one of the older utility basket panniers (2003?) and it's great. You can fit a lot of stuff in it and because it's one big bag (and squarish) you can put things in it that would be awkward for other bags. For example I have had an easy time carting around things like 12 packs of beer, an LCD projector and Laptop, cereal boxes etc. I wish they made ones for the right hand side (or at least the option) because then I could fit a *lot* if I had to.

I only own Arkel panniers (front and rear Mountain series) so I can't compare them but I did investigate closely and they have been fantastic.

Chuckie

I wrote Arkel an e-mail with questions once and they got right back to me with the straight and skinny.

Gotta respect that.

I have one of the older utility basket panniers (2003?) and it's great. You can fit a lot of stuff in it and because it's one big bag (and squarish) you can put things in it that would be awkward for other bags. For example I have had an easy time carting around things like 12 packs of beer, an LCD projector and Laptop, cereal boxes etc. I wish they made ones for the right hand side (or at least the option) because then I could fit a *lot* if I had to.
Chuckie

Can you clarify the "right hand side" comment? Are you saying these can only be used on the left hand side of the rack? That doesn't make any sense. I don't have a utility basket yet (it's been ordered), but it should have the same hook system as the Bug, and I use that on the right hand side.

after considering the nashbar bag but getting bad reviews, I bit the bullet and ordered a bug. Here's hoping I don't have to buy another pannier!

The hooks are at an angle so you have better foot clearance. I'm going to go check Arkel's site after posting this-- the new ones may be different. You said your Bug is designed for the right? Now, *I'm* curious...

Chuckie

Well it looks like the latest version is "balanced". Works on the left or right. Hell, I might have to get one... :)


Chuckie

yup, my hook bar goes straight across the back.

The hooks are at an angle so you have better foot clearance. I'm going to go check Arkel's site after posting this-- the new ones may be different. You said your Bug is designed for the right? Now, *I'm* curious...
Chuckie

Nope, I said I *use* it on the right, but it will work just fine on either side.

I use the older version of the Utility basket locked on to my rack and use the bug as my backpack for school. The combo works great for groceries or whatever you can think up. The top of the utility basket balloons up higher than the rear rack so you can shove a ton of stuff in it.

I have been using the Utility basket for about a year now. I really like them, I use them from anything like getting groceries to lugging laptops and work books. I use them on bothe the MTB and the Cross bike. I found that they fit the new laptops nicley, which was a problem with my ols performance transits, and they never fall off. They might be a bit pricy, but they are just a great all around pannier.