scrapser

Hi,
I just ordered a Slipstream and would like to ask if anyone here has suggestions or experience with panniers for this bike or just some good review information for rear panniers in general. I ordered the Slipstream rear rack so I don't need that.

I'm concerned about the panniers being waterproof, low drag, ease of attachment (and how reliable the attachment is), and that whatever method of attachment used does not cause scratches to the rack itself. Cost is not my concern but quality is paramount.

Thanks much!

bentbaggerlen

Scrapser,

You should enjoy the Slipstream, very nice touring bike. Mine is a first generation Slipstream and has been used for loaded touring for years. We also have a Gulfstream that we tour with. both good bikes.


"I'm concerned about the panniers being waterproof" - You don't want your panniers to be waterproof... If they are any water that gets in stays in, If your touring and riding in the rain and if you need something from your bags, water is going to get in. Everything you want to stay dry should be put into a zip-lock bag, and then into your panniers. Anything that you have worn needs to go into another bag, or the touring funk will infect everything. I've used all kinds of panniers and the only plus I"ve found to the "waterproof" panniers is that you can use then to carry water to your camp sight.

"method of attachment used does not cause scratches to the rack itself." - I haven't found a bag yet that won't scratch or rub the rack. Some use plastic clips, and that will help, but it is still going to rub the finish on the rack. Even a cloth strap will rub the finish, we use a seat bag on the Gulfstream and the cloth from the bag has rubbed the clear-coat from the seat frame and the powder coating as well. I had thought about dipping the hooks of our bags in plastic dip used to coat tool handles, but still it's going to rub the finish.

As far as who's panniers to use. We use Arkel TT84's and a set of T-28's We have used these bags now for about 8 years with out problems. The 84's are freaking big bags for one person, but we tour tandem. You should check out the RT-60's https://www.arkel-od.com/ Arkel now offers a waterproof inner bag, but I would still get a set of rain covers with the bags. Great bags, and they come in yellow... if you ordered the stock Longbikes color

Mr. Markets

I have a Slipstream as well, and love it. What color did you get? For about $100 more you can have just about any color you want -- I got a kind of metallic neon green -- that stands out quite a bit. Certainly it looks like no one else's Slipstream. It may seem like an added splurge on such an expensive bike, but you are gonna own this for probably a decade, so the added bucks to get a unique color is a small expense.

BTW, and no slam to Greg's workers, but whatever you do, ABSOLUTELY make sure all your steering components are tight. I put my bike together without checking what was already assembled and in the first few feet the front wheel went off all on it's own! Had that happened when I was under some real speed the end result would have been devastating.

pmmpete

If you think you might encounter some rain while you are biking, and you don't want your gear to get wet, I recommend that you buy panniers made out of waterproof material which close by rolling the top of the panniers for a waterproof seal like a boating dry bag.

Panniers made out of nylon aren't waterproof. They leak through the zippers, they leak through the seams, and after they've been used for a while the fabric itself leaks. As Bentbaggerlen explained, if you have nylon panniers, in order to keep your gear dry you have to pack everything inside waterproof bags inside your panniers.

Some panniers are made out of waterproof material, but they have an open top which is covered by a lid of some kind. Examples are Ortlieb's Bike-Packer Classic and Bike-Packer Plus. As Bentbaggerlen explained, water can get up under the lid of that kind of pannier and get your gear wet, even though the bag is constructed of completely waterproof material.

Some panniers are made out of waterproof material, and are closed by rolling the top of the pannier and fastening it down with buckles, like a boating dry bag. Examples are the Orlieb Front-Roller Classic and Back-Roller Classic. This kind of bag will keep your gear completely dry even in drenching rain and spray from your tires and the tires of passing cars. I like this kind of panniers, because you can just toss your gear into the panniers and know that it will stay dry, no matter how inclement the weather gets. You don't need to put your gear into waterproof bags inside the panniers.

It's easier to get a reliably waterproof seal with roll-top panniers which are made of a relatively soft and flexible material. It takes a bit more care to get a waterproof seal with panniers which are made of stiff material, such as the Orlieb roll-top panniers. Panniers and boating dry bags will leak if they are completely submerged in water, such as when a raft flips upside-down. But few bikers drive their bikes into bodies of water.

Most waterproof panniers have a single large compartment. If you have been using panniers with a number of small compartments, and you have been keeping your gear organized and readily available by always putting each item in a specific compartment, you might have to adapt your organizational style if you get waterproof panniers. But the principle of always putting particular items in a specific place in your panniers works great whether your panners have a lot of small compartments or a single large compartment. "A place for everything, and everything in its place."

bentbaggerlen

I've toured in all kinds of weather, and it will rain... Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. No bag will keep your gear completly dry, if on tour and its raining when you need to set up camp water will get in your bags, or in the morning when you pack up, the morning dew will get in your bags... or stuff that nasty T-shirt you have been waring for three days into your bag..

I was on tour along the Gulf coast of Fla. using a set of roll top bags, The first three days went well, on the forth day I had to set up camp in a light ran, that night it really started raining but by morning the rain had stopped, the skies had cleared and the sun was shining... Perfect day for riding. That night when I stopped to set up camp I opened the bag... and WHEW! it must have been a perfect enviroment for the molds to form. (Warm,dark and humid) Everything stank and was moldy... That was the last time I used those bags, or that tent, sleep pad, shorts etc.... But my touring is a little more back woods then a lot of people car for.

scrapser

Thanks for the replies. Sorry to be so late responding. I ordered my Slipstream in early January and I'm still waiting for it.

I think I will take the advice on the breathable panniers over waterproof (when I finally get the bike). It just makes sense.

Mr. Markets

I used a generic rack because I am not touring on ine, but the rack Greg sells is one beefy sucker!

BTW, what color did you get?

scrapser

I will get the bike on Monday (5/3)...can hardly wait. I ordered mine in Supersonic Blue. Greg did it for free since the order was delayed. It will have black hubs and rims. I think yellow panniers will look good (think of the Navy's F-18 Blue Angels). I also ordered the bottle mounts, fenders, kick stand, and computer mount.

Have you heard of the new bicycle computer called the "Hind Sight"? It's perfect for the Slipstream and will be available later this year. It's a little LCD widescreen monitor with a rear mounted camera that doubles as a rear reflector and also has blinking red LED lights. It will show you what's behind you without having to look over your shoulder or in a mirror (it records in a 30 second loop, too). It also displays the usual bicycle computer info. I emailed the company to be on their mailing list.

Mr. Markets

got a link for that one? I would be interested...

scrapser

Here's the link...it looks like early 2011 now. I'm patient.

https://www.cerevellum.com/

reoguy2005

Hope you love the Slipstream as much as I do mine; I also just received the tandem Jetstream, which did take forever for Greg to finish. Beautiful bikes, but some business organization is needed there. My Jetstream is a custom green ("psycho brass green" is the name for the color!), the Slipstream is the stock yellow. the rear rack is very strong, I have Arkels. I agree with what's been said, if you really want it waterproof, pack in ziplock backs or drybags, inside the panniers ( or get ready to ride with the panniers wide open after rainy weather, to dry them out!)

Mr. Markets

uhhhh... damn. I thought i had the only neon flecked green Longbikes around! Greg gave the site of all the powdercoats he could use, and I picked one that was a metallic flecked green. Said he had never done that before, but liked it a lot when it was done. And I thought I was "special".

sun is washing it out here a bit but...

Big Bad John

I noticed what looks like a magnet ring on your front wheel. Is that for a Magtenlite? If so, how do you like it? Is it really bright enough to see with when riding at night and can cars see you? Is the dynamo drag high?

Mr. Markets

its a cheap odometer thing. sorry.