Panniers

[chronyx]

I'm really struggling with finding some panniers for my bike. eBay is empty and reading the lists of part numbers, bike models, racks, pabnnier types on line makes my head spin, I literally can't read them It's like looking at that green text in The Matrix.

Is there such a thing as a website where I can, with a few mouse clicks, buy a rack and some panniers for my bike (RD07)?

[R0vers]

Hi Chronyx.

Touratech can make you part with all of youre money in a few simple clicks.... It depends what you really want and how much you are willing to fork out... But in terms of quality and durability they are faultless(if only they made them a bit cheaper...)

[chronyx]

Not Touratech prices!!

[BobA]

Chronyx

Try here...http://www.overland-solutions.com/

Check the sub-section for Africa Twins, and then the Panniers bit


Bob

[chronyx]

Thanks Bob that looks promising, the web site is pretty flakey at the moment but hopefully it'll be OK tomorrow!

[Jenna]

Ernie's stuff ( Overland-Solutions) is top notch, its nearly all 'one off made' and is built to last (ask Chris Scott!!!..) think its fair to say that your not paying for a fancy name but more the quality with his stuff. Hes been behind quite a few of the big names in African adventure for a long time so is highly recommend...

[Xander]

Ernie's stuff ( Overland-Solutions) is top notch, its nearly all 'one off made' and is built to last (ask Chris Scott!!!..) think its fair to say that your not paying for a fancy name but more the quality with his stuff. Hes been behind quite a few of the big names in African adventure for a long time so is highly recommend...

I had a good long chat with him at the HU meet good guy and his stuff does look the bit.. I will be having some stuff done by him.. But just one word of ?warning? as of the 2nd day of the HU meet he was booked solid until September. And the stuff I was talking to him about (custom new stuff) is likely not to get done until winter ( jan 0 (in fact in his book I am registered as a "winter fit".)

[Jenna]

lol not surprised as the bike prep market is going though the roof at the minute... be a good time time to set up a company that does specialist bike prep! ...lmao why didnt i think of that??

[Xander]

lol not surprised as the bike prep market is going though the roof at the minute... be a good time time to set up a company that does specialist bike prep! ...lmao why didnt i think of that??

I have thought of it myself.. but my alli guy is Oz, my tools (lathe, mill, welder, oxy torch..ext) are all in oz.. plus i dont have the £££ to quit working..

[djadams]

Thanks Bob that looks promising, the web site is pretty flakey at the moment but hopefully it'll be OK tomorrow!

And if you don't like Touratech prices, you'll def not like Ernie's prices.

It all depends on what you're looking for these panniers to do. I'm assuming you're only interested in thieving scum proof rigid panniers, and don't want the more off-road oriented soft luggage like Andy Strapz. I'm also assuming you want the aluminium box look as opposed to the Givi plastic box look.

So, my tuppence worth (having spent some time looking into the options for my trip) goes like this:

• If you want cheap and cheerful for UK road use, then the Alpos boxes and SW Motech racks are a good option, they give the ally-box style without the overlander pricetag.
• If you want something more robust and well respected, capable of overlanding type use but still a little rough around the edges, then go for Touratech.
• If you want tougher still with not a rough edge in sight, go for Metal Mule.
• If you want the ultimate toughest overlanding kit money can buy to go round the world with, go Overland Solutions.

You get what you pay for, and there's a massive price difference as you go from the top to the bottom of that list. As with anything, there are diminishing returns, and for each extra £100 you spend, you get less extra functionality or quality over and above the previous level. As you'll know if you've been following the posts, I went with Metal Mule in the end. After a shaky start with fitting the racks, I'm now very pleased with the kit, and the mounting system is genius.

HTH...