Soft panniers (e.g. Andy Strapz) V hard panniers

[TallJohn]

I haven't bought panniers yet, but I do lots of off-road weekend trips and camp, but also plan to do some longer Africa trips in the near future. Here is my two penneth worth on the pannier discussion, as it seems everyone wants hard panniers these days due to the interest stirred up by the Long Way Round. I think soft panniers win????? Happy to be convinced otherwise?????

Security
Hard panniers win as they have locks and can't be slashed. Though the locks don't look very strong.

Cost
Soft bags win

Capacity
Draw

Weight
Soft bags win

Safety
Hard panniers can hurt you in a fall. Soft bag straps could get caught in rear wheel (though most riders put soft bags on top of panniers with straps), so consider this a draw as risk is the same.

Usability
Easy to access contents from both, though soft bags can easily be detached and taken with you saddlebag style, so consider softbags win

Longevity
hard panniers should stand up to most off-road rigours, though a big crash leaves them unrepairable. Soft bags may rip, and the contents deform, though they can be patched up by the roadside. The better quality bags are also 100% waterproof, and unless you have a good seal on hard panniers, both dust and water can penetrate. Consider softbags win.

[landyandy]

Hard luggage takes the brunt of damage in a fall, rather than the bike (or soft panniers). Better to throw away a pannier plus contents but still have a rideable bike.

[Blues N Twos]

OK..... I am looking to get some hard side panniers but don't want to pay £500 from Touratech. Are there aluminium alternatives?

Don't want to high jack the thread but thought it was sort of relevant.

Regards

Jon

[Tikka]

I saw a picture ones from a bike that fitted military ammo boxes on a rack on both sides. They should be cheap to get from a army dump. And could be locked.


edit: found some pics

[gibbo]

I have used both & think that each have their place. I had soft givi bags (used with pannier frames) & they were great, small but expandable, waterproof and fairly rugged. I think even in a fall neither bike or bags would be damaged. The only problem was that I ran 1 of the straps under the seat, so the seat had to be removed if the bags were to be removed. Also they wernt great for carrying heavy loads (shopping).

I sold them & bought a touratech set-up. The main benefits are security and they are very usefull around the campsite for seats, tables, salad bowls (nothing like pannier lid salad). They are also much better for the weekly run to the supermarket. Also, because of the extra space you find you will take more crap that you wouldnt usually.

I wish I had kept the soft bags so I could use them when they would be better (short weekend trips) and use the hard panniers for longer trips & touring.

[DaveS]

OK..... I am looking to get some hard side panniers but don't want to pay £500 from Touratech. Are there aluminium alternatives?

Don't want to high jack the thread but thought it was sort of relevant.

Regards

Jon

Speak to Paul Cave EIBC Ltd.... Link in the err links section.

[xrv_jim]

I haven't bought panniers yet, but I do lots of off-road weekend trips and camp, but also plan to do some longer Africa trips in the near future. Here is my two penneth worth on the pannier discussion, as it seems everyone wants hard panniers these days due to the interest stirred up by the Long Way Round. I think soft panniers win?????

You could well be right. A couple of pals recently completed a UK to NZ trip on a TDM with a home-made rack (substantial crash protection) and a rucksack on each side. They got round the security issue with a couple of those flexible wire mesh security things avaliable at most travel/camping shops.

[londonbubble]

Well i done two six thousand mile solo trips with soft luggage, and i found it all to be a pain in the arse, bungee cords, rokstraps,tie downs,cargo nets,steel nets, I have used them all and they all do the job, but when your tired and hungry and its dark or pissing down with rain or both, and your in a Norwegian mountain somewhere,fumbling around under the light of a head torch in your luggage for something you need(and its always gonna be at the bottom of your luggage),trust me! the novelty wears off.

When a Russian customs officer at the Estonian border insisted i remove all my luggage, which had taken me ages to pack away earlier that day, in the pissing rain which i had been riding in for three hours, i was not in the mood. I did not say anything to him, I just looked at him like Damien from the Omen films, i hadn't shaved both of my eyes were red from conjunctivitis, and he said, 'okay you go now' it was one of those 'if looks could kill moments'

If your on the move and packing your tents and gear every one or two days, i found soft luggage to be a major p.i.a. I was watching our fellow German bikers pull up at campsites with there aluminium panniers, and unload and load there gear with a lot less hassle. If i was going for a weekend jaunt with a little luggage i would probably use soft luggage

Like Dave said Paul at EIBC does them ay a reasonable cost, i have just sent him my deposit, and i am gonna get quick relase Hepco and Becker rails(boxes off about 20 seconds each side) he charges £380.00 inc delivery for the lot. I am gonna collect them from him and pay cash so he has given me a bit of a discount.

When i get them i can send you photo's if you want so you can judge for yourself, but the real test will be on Augest 10th when i ride to Norway, Finland, Baltic states,Poland,germany and France, if you want my honest opinion of the how they perform i'll let you know. If i don't like em i can always put em up for sale on this site

My two pence worth

London bubble

[Blues N Twos]

Well thanks for the replys,

I have been in touch with Paul at EIBC and I like the look of his set up.
As said earlier £380 all in with a discount to follow.

I need these not only for trips etc but I use the bike every day for work and I will be going onto a floating rota. This will mean I have to carry a lot of equipment to different Ambulance Stations, ie boots, stab vest, high vis jacket, uniform etc. I can't get all that in a top box and believe me I have tried.

I am going to go and have a butchers at pauls setup as he has this all installed on his AT. One nice touch that Pauls setup dosen't have is little feet on the panniers. During my search I looked at "Metal Mules" panniers and you can buy four little rubber feet for the panniers and fit them yourself. Cost is about £10. Should keep some of the mud of ehh

Regards

Jon

[londonbubble]

John, i hadnn't noticed that but i am sure you can buy some rubber feet or door stops from some of the major DIY stores, and improvise a little, it shouldn't be a problem

When i spoke to Paul he said he also sells the tie down thingys for a couple of pounds each, it migh be worth sticking some of those on as well.

London Bubble