Originally Posted by
Hugh Morris
I guess I was thinking of the 'vario' I saw on thetouringstore.com, it's number 6 on
this page; looks like the backpack straps are an attachment that use the pannier's mounting system. Also looks like a pretty convincing backpack.
Thanks for clarifying.
Yep, that was what I had seen when I was looking at them. That didn't work for me because I have to, on occasion, go from bike to mass transit and it was a hassle to have to attach the thing and take it off again. The Bug actually works really well and fits well on the bike or the back plus it goes quickly from backpack to pannier. When I got to get on the bus, you can have both hands free to wrangle the bike onto the bike rack. Then when you get off, you can either just have to deal with a single backpack strap or no strap (use the handle) and put it on the bike right away.
I would like to see Ortleib come out with a backpack to pannier that is less fiddly. Competition is good. The Arkel quality is first rate so even though it's expensive, it's a very very nice piece of gear.
I agree with the comments about not using this WOHO thing. The mount system for the bike is flat out dangerous. Be very easy to have the bag come off the rack and land in the wheel. And that would really end badly.
J.