J.C. Koto

Anyone here using Arkel T-42 panniers for commuting duty? I've tried the search function, but either I don't know how to search effectively, or there is a lack on info about these panniers here in the commuting forum.

I really like the design ideas of the Arkel panniers, but I'm a little dubious about the capacity for commuting purposes. Mostly, I'm a bit unsure about the ~1275 cubic inch capacity per each. I'm having a difficult time visualizing what can fit in there. That seems to be enough to fit a dress shirt, undershirt, slacks, light lunch (sandwich, banana), and a few cycling accouterments per one, or am I just guessing?! I'd like to be able to alternate sides (since they're sold in pairs), and eventually use them for front-pannier duty while on tour. Or grocery-shopping

Are any of you here using Arkel T-42 panniers for daily commuting duty? Any gotchas?

Wilbur Bud

Are you thinking 1 or 2 of those? I use a pair of T-28 front pannier mounted on the back every day and it works great, even on a tough Monday where I need 2 pairs of shoes in addition to my bike shoes (one for work and one for volleyball), stuff in my laptop that I take home on the weekends, and my normal assortment of tools, parts, rain gear, shower kit and towel, etc. What are you planning on commuting with that requires something as big as a T42?

If you do get Arkel bags, you'll like them. The cam-lock retention is awesome, mount and dismount is easy, and they are indestructable. Lay out all your stuff and take it to the store and pack it in before you buy, I think you're buying too big.

J.C. Koto

Hmmm.. If you say "As big as..." I feel a little bit better. I plan on using *one* T-42 at a time (for commuting). Then again, I'm also looking to some touring, so perhaps I should have cross-posted to said forum, but my main concern was with commuting as that's about 70% of my riding as of now.

If you say I'm buying too big, then thanks?! I used to be an ultra (ultra-ultra) light camper, but now I like to be prepared for things (comfort, yeah), even the small stuff that *might* happen in 16 miles of normal daily city riding. Really, an undershirt, dress shirt, slacks, lunch, and bike things like spare tube, patch kit, a few tools, papers, etc. Spare breakfast (like a couple of Clif bars), lock, etc... I guess I have no practical spacial reasoning...

If there were an Arkel store around, I'd be the first to take a look, but as it is, I have to buy online sight unseen... I feel a bit more confidant now.

squeakywheel

I use a single T-28 on most days. A guy I work with uses a single T-42. His bag is mostly empty on most days. It's his only bag, though. I have a bigger bag i can use when needed. My laptop computer doesn't fit in my T-28. I keep shoes at work. If I had to carry shoes and a laptop everyday, I'd want a single T-42.

striegel 

My single commuting and shopping bag is the Arkel Utililty Basket. I went all out and added the laptop sleeve, and waterproof cover, but I had a shoulder strap from an old laptop bag, so I use that.

It may be a bit bigger than a single T-42 and it's all one big interior space instead of a set of smaller pockets. I use it pretty much for what you describe: bringing a change of clothes, lunch, laptop, tools, spare inner tube, etc. for the bike.

The large size comes in handy for grocery store runs and winter commutes, when I may pack along an extra sweater or such.

kwrides

I too have no Arkel dealers and recently purchased an Arkel Bug online for commuting. I need to carry a laptop, clothes, wallet, keys, phone, etc., along with a multitool, spare tube, levers, etc.

The Bug was an awesome bag, but by the time I put in the laptop sleeve, tools, etc., it was too tight for my clothes, not to mention a thermos, breakfast, and lunch. I have to take everything off my bike since it's parked outside, so that meant adding lights, a computer, my bottle and helmet too. My big goal was to only have to carry one bag, so this solution didn't work for me.

I called Arkel and told them my issue and they recommended the Utility Basket. It's in transit, so I can't tell you if it works, but will post a review once I've had it for a while.

I highly recommend calling them. They must be very busy because it takes a day or two for them to reply, but when they do, Yves is very helpful. He asked a few questions about my needs and my bike setup, listened to what I had to say, and made a recommendation.

Good luck. Let us know what you go with and how it works out.

J.C. Koto

kwrides, likewise -- post an update when you have one. I'm all ears...

J.C. Koto

There has been some pannier threads here these past few days, so I'll chime in with my aforementioned update: The T-42's are simply awesome! They just arrived today. Christmas in July

Despite the fact that I have a very keen "tetris" sense of space, I have absolutely no concept of standard measurements of volume. These puppies are "consiberamably" larger than I would have thought. The design is practical and simple while allowing for some organization (me likey). Construction is just top notch. Sure, the price of admission was steep, but as of now I think it was worth it. Interestingly, the good folks at Arkel sent a little swatch of the Cordura fabric with a challenge to tear it: "Are you strong enough to rip this fabric?" No I am not. Whether they did this as a form of advertisement, or as a post-purchase-second-thought vindicator, I don't know. Or care.

I needed to go grocery shopping today, so I took one of the panniers for its maiden voyage. The strap loops are nice for carring the pannier around like a "man-bag", if you will (you can call it a purse if you prefer, I really couldn't give a flyin' ...). I'll just say I quit shopping because I still wasn't really sure what could fit in the bag. After paying ("No thanks, I don't need a sack") and "tetris" filling, I probably only filled the pannier to the 1/3 mark. Plenty of room to spare. I could *easily* use these for weekly grocery shopping. Probably by-weekly.

These puppies are heavy. Some users might find that particularly unattractive. This is not so much an issue on the bike, because the pannier weight will probably be a lesser fraction of the total weight carring a load. Where the weight will most likely be a concern is when carrying them around manually. Also, when using a strap to carry these over the shoulder, the mounting hardware can dig into the back. But that's not any real problem, as they are meant to be *on the bike*.

OK, so for commuting purposes, and to get back on the rails of this forum, I don't really know yet. I'll have to wait until next Monday. Frankly, I don't remember the last time I was so excited to go to work. I love testing out new kit, which is a rare privilege for me, and testing out bike kit is doubly-plus good! I do know that I'll be able to take all the work and bike stuff, food, and more food for the lengthy ride I plan to take after work. And knowing that makes me even more excited for work, because after I can immeadiately go on a nice long ride without having to take any detours home.

pre-emptive edit: So this turned out to be more of a review, which should have been posted to the ultra-secret review forum which I have yet to be granted access. So be it. I didn't mean to carry on for so long, but what the heck. Maybe someone somewhere can glean something of use to themself by reading this, so against better judgement I'll be hitting the "Post Quick Reply" button... Now.

kwrides

Thanks for the review.

I got my Arkel Utility Basket and OMM Red Rock rack yesterday, but don't have my new bike yet (should be here in a week or 2). I'll post a review once I've used it a few times.