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A Different Perspective On The Arkel Commuter

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A Different Perspective On The Arkel Commuter

Old 09-15-06, 07:54 AM
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A Different Perspective On The Arkel Commuter


Things I Like

As everyone notes, Arkel bags are made of tough materials and are very, very well sewn. I don't expect this thing will ever have a loose seam or tear. After three months of daily, pretty hard use, the bag looks new. I also like the waterproof zippers (though they are a bit tougher to close) and assorted pockets. The handle at the top is sturdy and actually works - some panniers have a strap that is more like a tourniquet than a handle. And I love being able to carry the bag around with the shoulder strap instead of walking around with a pannier in my hand, heeling to one side like a baggage porter.

Nonetheless, there are some things that I don't like that I haven't seen mentioned in other reviews. They are not "deal killers," but they are things I wish I knew before I decided to buy this bag.

Attaching & Removing

This is heresy, but I find the Arkel attachment system a real pain.

I have been using an Arkel Commuter bag for about three months. Before that I used (and still use for overflow) a low-end set of REI panniers.

On my main commuter I have a Blackburn EX-1 Expedition Rack - a common, standard rack. As Arkel's website says "the Blackburn Expedition has been on the market for a long time, and has been copied time and again. Probably one of the best designs ever, with incredible lateral rigidity paired with low cost. . . it is still the rack we use most here at Arkel."

Though the EX-1 may be the rack most used at Arkel, it is not the rack shown in the next two pictures from the Arkel website. The photos are of something more like the Blackburn Mountain Rack. That's important because the "v" at the bottom of the EX-1 rack - where the stabilizing hook goes - is narrower than on the Mountain Rack. This causes some of the attachment problems described below.




Attaching the bag is not merely a matter of dropping the two top hooks over the top of the bar on the rack, letting go of the bag, and rotating the latch. The bar on the rack needs to placed between the bottom edge of the hooks and the top of the latch. This "opening" is about a half inch tall. Since the rack's bar is about 3/8ths of an inch in diameter, attaching the bag is not something I can do without paying some attention. Moreover, the Arkel's stabilizing hook (the one at the end of the elastic cords) must be put in place first, so one is also fighting the elastic cords a bit while getting the hooks and latch aligned with the rack's bar.



Getting the stabilizing hook placed correctly in the rack's "v" when attaching the bag requires some thought. (This is even more complicated on my bike, because the hook can only go on one side of the rack -- a fender strut is on the other side and if I get the hook on the wrong side, I need to bend the strut to get the hook detached. I suspect many others have a similar setup.)

Worse, though, is that the stabilizing hook gets stuck in the "v" at the bottom of my rack. I often need to grab the hook and wiggle and twist it to get if out of the "v." This wrassling has already resulted in chipped paint.

The (very solid) aluminum hooks and attachment latch at the top slide a bit on the rack. This wouldn't be bad except that the hooks are not quite long enough to bump solidly against the rack's forward crossbar, so the front hook gets a bit wedged against the crossbar. This makes it difficult to get the bag unhooked.

I don't think it's a problem for all Arkel bags, but the top of the Commuter bag extends a couple inches above the rack. When the bag is loaded, the backplate at the top bends a little. This deformation changes the angle of the top hooks and latch (they are attached to the backplate) to the rack just enough to solidly wedge the hooks and latch onto the rack. When this happens, it is very, very hard to get the latch undone and the bag off the rack.

The REI bag is much easier to remove (and attach.) It has simple plastic hooks at the top. They can be tightened with a screwdriver. The other attachment point is a horizontal plastic hook about three quarters of the way down the bag. (There is also a velcro loop at the top, but the only time I have used it is on single track.) A sharp tug at the top releases the bag from the rack.


Shoulder Strap

The shoulder strap and the computer pocket are two things I really like about this bag, but those things have some aspects that I wish I had known before I bought it.

The shoulder strap attaches with clips that must go through small holes in the attachment point on the bag side. The attachment point on the bag side is unusual. It's not really a loop. The "loop" is largely filled with a flat plastic. Clipping the strap on requires more attention than it should to get the clip through the little hole, particularly in dim light.

loop.jpg hook.jpg

The clip part of the attachment is also a bit unusual. The end of the hook part of the clip (usually a smooth curved shape) has a smaller little "mini-hook" molded into it. Frequently when detaching (and sometimes when attaching) the strap, this little hook gets caught on the edge of the hole in the loop. It takes some wiggling and tugging to get the thing unhooked.

My daughter has a clip of similar design on the stabilization strap of her Timbuk2 bag. But the "diameter" of the mini-hook is too small to snare on the bag's loop. The loop on the Timbuk2 bag is also open and metal, so the clip pops on and off smoothly and easily.

Putting standard hooks on the end of the strap and standard loops on the bag would make the whole thing easier and intuitive. It's a bit of a puzzle that Arkel chose the design it did.

Also, the strap needs to be detached before the bag can be completely zipped up. and there's no good place to store the strap on the outside of the bag. (The side and top pockets are too short to get the strap in conveniently, though the top is slightly larger than those on the sides.) I haven't found a good spot to stow the strap in the bag either. I end up packing the strap on one side or another on the inside of the bag, and the strap inevitably migrates to the very bottom of the bag. To retrieve it I must unpack the bag.

I've taken to leaving one side of the strap attached and the bag slightly open. This lets me stow the strap on the inside while avoiding the need searching for the strap or unpack the bag to get to the strap when I want to use it. Packing the strap this way also means I only have to deal with the "clipping" issue on one side.

Computer Pocket, & Capacity Number


The computer pocket is convenient, soft, suspended, and made of a springy sort of material. (I have some doubts about the need for protection, since I carried my laptop for years in the REI bag without any padding and without any problems.) It is indeed suspended from the top, but you should be aware that the back of the pocket rests against the backplate of the pannier. If your laptop is big enough, the rivets that hold the attachment plate may bump against the pocket.

I like being able to pop the computer into it's own protected spot in the bag. It's also easy to get out because the bag opens wide in the front and top.

But if you are thinking about this bag, you should recognize that the computer pocket is permanently a part of the bag. If you are not carrying a computer, the pocket is always in the way. I think it would be worth considering another pannier and using a separate padded pocket for the computer - a padded pocket like Timbuk2 sells, for example.

Also, to "suspend" the computer pocket, Arkel has designed the pocket to stop several inches short of the bottom of the bag. This is a good thing if you think suspension is important, but be aware that if you are comparing bags, it throws off the bag's capacity measurement. The space below the pocket isn't usable. If you want suspension, that space must remain empty.

On the top side, because the pocket is sewn in, you cannot adjust the pocket to eliminate the space above the computer. You can, of course, of course store something small on top of the computer, but unless you have something that is just the right size, there is likely to be a vacant spot on top, too.

There's some pockets sewn on the computer pocket. The biggest is not big enough for my power adapter, and the smallest - pencil width - are too short to securely hold full-size pencils.

The Flapping Flap

Finally, though it does not affect the bag's function, the back flap that covers the top attachment hooks (and makes carrying the bag with the shoulder strap possible) doesn't have a place to go when the bag is on the bike. It just sort of sits there, weirdly, on the top of the rack. Why couldn't Arkel have made the flap fold over the handle and cover the top pocket?

Side Pockets

These are pretty small. I put a hex wrench in one and a fiberfix spoke in the other. I can't figure out how else to use them. If one pocket were just a bit bigger, it would hold a U-lock perfectly. As it is, the compression strap is the perfect width for a U-lock -- all that's missing is a second strap a bit higher on the bag and a guy could store a U-lock on the outside of the bag beautifully.

All In All

I like the Commuter bag, but if I had not yet purchased the bag, I think would wait for the next iteration. With the problems and Arkel's dedication to quality, I wouldn't be surprised to see a redesign one of these days. If I had to do it again, I'd wait until then.

Last edited by chennai; 09-19-06 at 07:02 AM.
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Old 09-15-06, 08:00 AM
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You're not the only person to have complaints about the Arkel attachment system. I like it personally, but it does seem that it's designed to be bombproof first, and convenient second.

The nice thing about it is that basically any part is easily replaceable. So if you were touring the world or something, you could carry extra hooks, bungie cords, etc just in case something broke in the middle of Outer Mongolia. But if you're just going 5-10 miles to work and back, it's a little bit of overkill.
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Old 09-15-06, 08:11 AM
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I use, and like Arkel bags (T-42, Briefcase, Large Handlebar bag, Tailrunner), but would agree that their design philosophy is bombproof first, convenience second.
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Old 09-15-06, 08:26 AM
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I like my arkel, it held up through my crash at least the fabric did. On closer inspection after the crash the track for moveing the hooks got all bent, and the washer on the lock got bent. It is not a big deal because when I crashed the bag was to far forward so all I had to do is move the hooks, and lock past the problem area. Wish they used steel instead of alumminum. Contacting arkel someday to get the parts for it so if I get a diffrent bike, or sell it. I like my Arkel its simple and reliable I have the Utility Basket
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Old 09-15-06, 10:04 AM
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I have an Arkel Utility basket pannier. It's beautifully made, but I find the whole bungee attachment system annoying---and kind of a pain when the pannier is heavily loaded. I bought a set of Ortliebs recently and it is night and day. They seem very sturdy but they go on an off incredibly easily--I am sold on Ortliebs attachment system.
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Old 09-15-06, 10:54 AM
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I passed on the Arkel because of the attachment. Anything that uses elastic or springs is trouble in my book. I got the Deuter, same attachment as the ortlieb. On and off with one hand.
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Old 09-15-06, 02:37 PM
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I got the Carradice - just quick release latches at the top with a catch for stability down below. Converts to a shoulder bag off the bike. LOVE IT.
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Old 09-15-06, 04:00 PM
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Thank you so much for starting this thread, chennai, and for everyone's input. With the rainy season starting, I am thinking about buying a pannier and was a little dubious of the Arkel attachment system upon inspection. Good to know I wasn't off the mark.
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Old 09-15-06, 05:39 PM
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I am one of those who like the Arkel attachment system. I don't have the commuter bag nor the carrying strap, so I can't comment on the other issues. I use my Arkels (most often the T42s, but also GT-54 and TT-84) on a Blackburn rack, two Bruce Gordon front Lowrider racks and two Burley Piccolo Moose racks.

A few suggestions:

- Bottom hook vs rack.

I have bent my fender stays so I have more clearance around the area where the bottom hook goes. On the right, I use a twist tie to attach the derailleur cable housing near the quick release. That way, I get more predictable shifting because the cable always remain in the same place, and I never hook the pannier "though" the derailleur cable.

Thoughout the years, some bottom hooks are slightly more open than others. I can't tell you which works best.

- Shoulder strap.

Would it work if you kept it onto the pannier and inserted it into the bag?
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Old 09-15-06, 08:02 PM
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on my pannier, there's an elastic strap with a ring on the bottom, and you catch the ring on a hook that's held down by the bolt that attaches the rack to the bike's eyelets. maybe you could use a similar hook on your bike, and exchange the hook on the pannier's elastic straps for a metal ring. it's really easy to attach the ring; you don't even have to touch it! you hold the top of the bag and get it to hook, then pull up and hook the top of the bag to the rack. it's beautiful in its simplicity.
(it's a banjo brothers waterproof pannier by the way. i've had it for a few months. it stays on pretty well, but on truly terrible roads it might not be as reliable. it does have some quality issues, such as fraying nylon in one or two spots, but it does what i ask it to. i hope to get the carradice bike bureau pretty soon, because i've heard such good things about it and it looks nice.)
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Old 09-15-06, 08:02 PM
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Um, I put the bottom hook on last on my Arkel's bags (Bug and UB).

I've moved the top hardware so:

1) It attaches at points where its easy to get the top hooks on to.
2) The bottom hook drops to the open side of the rack, and needs just a little tug downward to hook onto to rack.

I also hook it on in that order.
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Old 09-15-06, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by wild animals
on my pannier, there's an elastic strap with a ring on the bottom, and you catch the ring on a hook that's held down by the bolt that attaches the rack to the bike's eyelets.
This is great idea! The Commuter's hook is attached with a web loop. I can cut the loop and substitute a ring kind of thing for the hook. Once I get the sewing machine out and stitch the loop back together, the bag should be much easier to use.

Thanks!
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Old 09-15-06, 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by sauerwald
I use, and like Arkel bags (T-42, Briefcase, Large Handlebar bag, Tailrunner), but would agree that their design philosophy is bombproof first, convenience second.
This thing (excluding the shoulder strap) is definitely bombproof, and that's a good thing. And if I were touring I be glad that Arkel had struck this bombproof to convenience balance. Yet, when designing a commuter bag, perhaps the balance should not be quite the same as for a touring bag.

When commuting, for me, convenience is a big issue. I would like to toss the bag on the bike, ride to my destination, and throw the thing over my shoulder and head to my meeting or office. That's unrealistic, of course, but that is the way my ideal commuting bag would work.

Still there's a lot to be said for bombproof. I like the construction of this bag so much, that even with the attachment issues, I am still tempted by the Utility Basket.
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Old 09-15-06, 09:01 PM
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+1 For the Carradice Bike Bureau. Makes commuting much easier...
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Old 09-15-06, 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by zafracita
I got the Carradice - just quick release latches at the top with a catch for stability down below. Converts to a shoulder bag off the bike. LOVE IT.
Which bag do you have, is it waterproof, what is the stability "catch," how does the shoulder strap work, and aren't all Carradice bags heavy? The U-lock pocket on the front of the A-4 and Shopper are something the Commuter is definitely missing.

(When I was shopping, I confess I dismissed the Carradice bags pretty early. I am embarrassed to say that what was in the back of my mind was the fact that Carradice bags just seemed so - I don't know how to put this - bikey, retro elitist? I know, I know, there's a reason that people like them. I justified my dismissal on the grounds that they looked heavy, expensive, and not very waterproof. )

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Old 09-15-06, 10:07 PM
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I justified my dismissal on the grounds that they looked heavy, expensive, and not very waterproof. )

It's completely waterproof. I've never had any water issues with it. I don't think it's that heavy.

It is quite expensive, but I've had a lot of use out of it, and I've never regretted the money I spent. The fixing system is really excellent. Once on the bike, you're not really aware it's there.

I used to put my U-lock in the waterproof pocket inside the top flap before I began leaving it where I park.
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Old 09-15-06, 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by chennai
The REI bag is much easier to remove (and attach.) It has simple plastic hooks at the top. They can be tightened with a screwdriver. The other attachment point is a horizontal plastic hook about three quarters of the way down the bag. (There is also a velcro loop at the top, but the only time I have used it is on single track.) A sharp tug at the top releases the bag from the rack.
That sounds exactly like my Altura pannier, I can't find a picture of the fittings but they are "Rixen and Kaul Vario".

(Rixen and Kaul's website seems to be focused on a "Klixfix" system which is different to the "Vario", but looks very user friendly.)
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