Up the Ante!

          In an earlier post I mentioned the purchase of some Chinese panniers. Although they do the job, there are some issues with them that I have never warmed to. The lids weren’t hinged. (One is now) The latches were garbage (now replaced), the sheet metal is not good quality. There seems to be a theme doesn’t there!

So, what is the alternative? Average specialist pannier sets cost anywhere from $600AUD to $1900AUD. These are insane prices for what is essentially a box for storage. There are a million and one panniers out on the market and they all claim to be the ultimate storage box.  I decided to set a personal  criteria and go from there.

I already have a Genuine Aprilia top-case, which is actually a branded Hepco and Becker (or in reality rebadged Rimowa manufactured cases) setup. Nice kit, but the side cases are stupid money and aren’t the strongest out there. I do however enjoy the ease of fitment and removal, with a twist of a key and a flick of a latch. The proposed side cases must be as easy to use.

Also, the Chinese cases were rated at 37 litre and were just a little too narrow for getting gear in and out of. I wanted something wider, but just a little.

The lids should be hinged, and since I already have Hepco and Becker racks, the new panniers must be able to utilise these.

The Adventure Rider world is a great place to be involved in. Via a friend of a friend of a friend, (with a few more thrown in) a pair of very slightly used SW Motech TRAX panniers came on the market. They looked interesting and the price was right.

The following Youtube  video sealed the deal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLRcBLatA44

I’m now waiting for these babies to arrive.

I’ll put up a full review when they are fitted.