Originally Posted by
MichaelW
4lbs is very heavy for panniers. My bombproof Carradice Super C weight much less. The stiffening material is corrugated plastic (For Sale sign stuff) which has lasted 15yrs of daily use so far.
Looking at
your panniers, they have a square-cut profile with no heel cutout and seem to be loaded down with weighty features.
I was actually looking at the super C panniers at one point. The corrugated plastic would be a much better option. People on the backpackinglight forums use that stuff when they're making their own packs or removing heavier frames that are intended for heavier loads than they are carrying. The plastic in the LG bags are something like 3 mm thick solid, hard plastic.
I would still think that there are lighter materials than duck canvas, though. Then again, could they stand up to 15 years daily use? How much do your super C panniers weigh?
I may, down the road, make my own panniers because I can already tell that even the most extreme heel cutout I've seen still isn't enough to account for how close my rack is to the frame. I was thinking about canvas, but my try other materials. I'll definitely have to put my money where my mouth is and explore the aluminum frame option.