alu panniers

[Snaphappy]

A customer of mine owes me a big favour, he runs a small workshop making conservatories out of Alu box section

I reckon knocking up a couple of boxes should be a piece of P for him or the apprentice.
has anyone stumbled across problems that I should look out for, or if given the chance would like to see incorporated into onto their panniers

I'm lookin' at fitting using the TT mounts for my H+B rack
and keeping the panniers as slim as possible in ?mm alu

any advise

[Wee Jack]

One feature I would request is to have the lids attached by a hinge , that opens out a full 180 degrees.

I love my TT ali boxes , but that is the most annoying thing about them is the totally detacheable lids when you want to take stuff out you are left with the lid in your hand and have to put it on the seat/ground - I have lost count of the number of times the lid has blown off the seat / been kicked around the ground.

Get them to fit lots of hoops so you can lash stuff to them with bungees.

Try to make them so the top surface of the pannier is level to and at the same angle as the seat - then you can lash big stuff accross both boxes and the seat.

And post pics of the finished article !!!

[Xander]

Horses for courses but.....

I like my boxes low that way you are keeping the centre of mass lower.. I have just finished (last night) my new panniers, I made them so they are about 3 inches below the seat level.

I also made them so that the lids are removable. This has two advantages 1) you can use them as little tables on the ground (with attached you can use the entire box this may be better i dont know yet) and 2) if the lids are attached you have to be careful if you want to use a top box, if the top box is wide one it can stop the lids from opening when on the bike (PITA).

my other requirement was that they are not square!. square is bad for wind deflection, and is weaker then angles.

also if you have someone that is good make them curve with the bike.. I have not taken picks of mine yet mounted on the bike but I like em narrow.. I 'll try and get some over the weekend (I am at the HUUK).

finally, what ever mounting system you go for think about having them removable without having to open the lids (i.e. Touratech or Metal Mules).. there is nothing worse then having water proof boxes that get filled up any way when you open them to take off the bike...

this is just my HO

[davsato]

wee jack, why not attach them with an easily detachable strap, then you got the best of both worlds.

[Wee Jack]

Originally Posted by davsato

wee jack, why not attach them with an easily detachable strap, then you got the best of both worlds.

Yes I think Touratech have a thing like that sold as an option - would only cost about a month's salary I guess

[Austin]

I haven't looked into properly yet, but I was going to attach the lids on my Transenduro panniers with a length wire fishing trace - sort of ready made up one's you get for pike fishing (and probably lots of other type of fishing). The one's I have in mind are very flexible plastic covered wire of about 50lb breaking strain with a swivel at one end and a clip at the other and about 9" long. Pop rivet (I think) the swivel to the box and pop rivet something the clip can attach to on the lid. The lid could then secure and be QD. Just a thought and no doubt in need of a lot of development.

[Wee Jack]

Originally Posted by Austin

I haven't looked into properly yet, but I was going to attach the lids on my Transenduro panniers with a length wire fishing trace - sort of ready made up one's you get for pike fishing (and probably lots of other type of fishing). The one's I have in mind are very flexible plastic covered wire of about 50lb breaking strain with a swivel at one end and a clip at the other and about 9" long. Pop rivet (I think) the swivel to the box and pop rivet something the clip can attach to on the lid. The lid could then secure and be QD. Just a thought and no doubt in need of a lot of development.

I like the sound of this - a couple if quid out of a tackle shop.... Vs.... an arm and leg from touratech , plus postage and 10 weeks delivery !!!

[SyRexx]

Originally Posted by Wee Jack

10 weeks delivery !!!

10 weeks delivery thats terrible!!

[Xander]

what is wrong with draw haps???
or toggle hasps

[davsato]

Originally Posted by Wee Jack

I like the sound of this - a couple if quid out of a tackle shop.... Vs.... an arm and leg from touratech , plus postage and 10 weeks delivery !!!

only ten weeks? they must've had an efficiency drive that quarter