One gear malfunction so far - if you watched my video on the OTET gear or saw pictures - the green bag (roll top) hsd the buckle tear off. So I put 550 cord in there to roll up and tie. That worked. Until yesterday. I didnt know it, but the bag had dropped with the 550 cord pulling out from the roll. I took a turn and as soon as I leaned for it the bag hit the ground and scraped open a bit.

I spent some time with it this time. I taped the holes and sewed 3 sets of loops in to the roll top to lock the 550 cord on. So far so good.

Weight balance is better. I put 2x nalgenes down on the front bags instead of up by the bars or top of the rear rack. That, I think, made the biggest difference.