Touring - Anyone have any experience with these panniers?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WATERPROOF-B...item19d58fdcb3


I am HIGHLY skeptical but would be interested to see if anyone has first hand experience with them...

Looks like you're right to have been skeptical - the listing has been removed.

if you're looking for a cheaper set of waterproof panniers, banjo brothers makes them on the cheaper side http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/panniers/waterproof-pannier/ below that would be nashbar. Otherwise you can't go wrong with ortliebs

Looks like you're right to have been skeptical - the listing has been removed.


new link, sorry

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WATERPROOF-BICYCLE-REAR-PANNIERS-BIKE-TOURING-BAGS-HEAVY-DUTY-YELLOW-LARGE-/110957157555?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d58fdcb3

Looks ok, but shipping makes what looks like a good deal at first glance a little less good.

Looks ok, but shipping makes what looks like a good deal at first glance a little less good.

The seller does suggest that multiple orders will get a reduced shipping rate. I don't know by how much, but if somebody was interested in 2 (or more?), it would be worth asking.

They appear to be Ortlieb knockoffs. One pannier weighs 1120 grams, which, according to my math, comes out to nearly 5 lbs per pair. By comparison, a pair of Ortlieb Back Roller Plus panniers weighs about 3.4 lbs. Sport Packer Plus=4.85 lbs/pair. Dimmensions, but no actual capacity listed. No manufacturer listed. No description/photo of any internal closure featues such a draw string. Any internal pockets? The lower attachment mechanism appears to be high up on the pannier, it does not appear to be adjustible fore and aft and there is no mention of whether it will accomodate a variety of rack tube dimensions?

Let's assume you don't like them and/or they are not compatible with yor racks. Can you return them? Look at the seller's FAQ page. The answer to the question "What is your return policy?" is only partially responsive. As I read it, at best you can only return an item if it arrives defective or damaged. Because an item doesn't work with your racks and/or doesn't have the features you wanto doesn't make it defective.

In short, IMO, buyer beware.

I would have minimal qualms about buying simply configured panniers from a cheap source. They all leak eventually, and the cloth on cheaper one's may not last as well, one might only get 10-20 years from them.

When it come to buying either hugely bells and whistles panniers (only justifiable if the design and execution is hyper thoughtful), or waterproof panniers, I would only buy from upper end suppliers. Sorta like I would buy a chinese frame, or a Sachs frame, but maybe only a big company's dérailleur. Funny thing in that case is that a decent frame is 400-4000, but dérailleurs are cheap.

Nashbar had something Visually similar,
is it made of un reinforced vinyl,
Like a Kiddy pool?
IDK.

To start with the seams are sewn and not welded so unless the seams have been sealed on the inside they are going to leak like a sieve. You could probably seal the seams with McNett (not a guarantee). The specs imply that the fabric is coated nylon canvass without really calling out any details and that makes all the difference if they will last a few days or give years of good service. For around town commuting they might be worth the risk, but on a long tour you might be very unhappy.

The seller does suggest that multiple orders will get a reduced shipping rate. I don't know by how much, but if somebody was interested in 2 (or more?), it would be worth asking.

Looks like you get $4 off shipping on the second item. A set of two will run you $59.40, or something like that.

Looks like you get $4 off shipping on the second item. A set of two will run you $59.40, or something like that.

I get the unfortunate feeling that the seller is one of those people who realized ebay collects fees from the items price, not from shipping. I've seen his wares before and while they are tempting, the shipping price always seems unjustifiably high.

I get the unfortunate feeling that the seller is one of those people who realized ebay collects fees from the items price, not from shipping. I've seen his wares before and while they are tempting, the shipping price always seems unjustifiably high.

Product pricing vs 'handling and shipping' is always a balancing act. This guy may be getting much of his profit from the 'handling' cost. The $4 discount for 2 bags does seem about right to me.

The complicated attach system, ie Ortlieb, on a cheap bag would put me off these. I've toured for years with a simple hook/bungie system (Axiom)with zero problems. Rain while riding is so rare as to not justify waterproof panniers, covers being sufficient.

Nashbar may be best bang for buck out there.

The complicated attach system, ie Ortlieb, on a cheap bag would put me off these. Rain while riding is so rare as to not justify waterproof panniers, covers being sufficient.

Complicated? Once you get the attachment points set up for your particular racks the panniers simply clip on. I can accomplish that with my two thumbs. Nothing complicated about it. And the attachment system on these knockoffs don't appear to even approximate those used by Ortliebs.

And I hope your comment about rain was meant to be limited to your personal touring experience because there are plenty of people who often ride in rain.

I wouldn't go with those. If you want something waterproof go with Ortlieb, Vaude (both when on sale) or Crosso. I've tested all there brands and can easily request any of them. My choice would be Crosso, because of the price/performance ratio. They're as high quality as both other brands but for almost 2 times less $$$.

And about the rain - it really depends where are you riding. Here where i live (north europe) it rains I would say almost 40% of time. I have never had multiple day rides without at least a little rain.

I wouldn't go with those. If you want something waterproof go with Ortlieb, Vaude (both when on sale) or Crosso. I've tested all there brands and can easily request any of them. My choice would be Crosso, because of the price/performance ratio. They're as high quality as both other brands but for almost 2 times less $$$.


Thanks for mentioning Crosso - tho 55 euros (from site, 229pol) isn't too far off what good pricing for Vaude or Ortlieb would have. Crosso has a 2 year warranty, perhaps questionable future ? Ortlieb at 5 years, Vaude at 3, I'm not sure. I'm not a fan of the simplified style of the pics of the Crosso mounting system. Vaudes I've taken on 3000k through mud/nasty open/close as if new. The secure closed-clasping onto a rack is a nice feeling for me.

Tho I'm interested in the simplicity of the cross-buckle on top, perhaps nice for carrying. Also removing the buckle in front, as sometimes rubbing against something on single track you want nothing else protuding from pannier.

You see many others with these ?

I wasn't able to see anywhere to buy Crosso's in the US. Know of any vendor?

nashbar waterproof panniers are awesome. can't beat em, great bang for the buck when they are having one of their 20% off sales. used them to tour from nyc to joplin missouri and we had a LOT of rain along the way. everything was as dry as can be and the durability was excellent for me. We stayed in hotels most nights so we weren't fumbling in and out of our panniers all that much so I wouldn't be the best person to testify to their durability but for the price, they should certainly last a few tours.

Another great use for them is booze cruising! set your beer in them, pour in some ice and ride off to your cookout!!!