ultra light panniers

[foxyrider]

What is the attachment system like on these please Willem? Its hard to see much detail on the pics.
I agree lightweight panniers are the way to go for short trips, my Ortliebs weigh more than my tent, sleeping bag, mat and stove combined which is daft! I'd like to try foxyriders homemade panniers but I'm afraid DIY is not my strongpoint!

You seriously don't need any great skills to make 'my' bags and you can even borrow the parts from your existing Ortliebs!

[pedalsheep]

Thanks for the reassurance. I've been a bit reluctant to start dismembering my Ortliebs just in case I can't get them back together properly again!
How have you been getting on with the ones you made? Any problems or are they an unqualified success?

[foxyrider]

They'll be doing my big summer tour this year instead of my Ortliebs.

Don't be afraid to take your Ortliebs apart - spanner and AK is pretty much all you need - all the bolts are the same, holes are all in place so reassembly is simple.

[andrew_s]

They'll be doing my big summer tour this year instead of my Ortliebs.
Don't be afraid to take your Ortliebs apart - spanner and AK is pretty much all you need - all the bolts are the same, holes are all in place so reassembly is simple.

My screws were torx rather than allen.
The other thing is that they are self-tapping into the nylon nuts that go inside, and hence may be a bit more prone to coming loose after re-use.

[willem jongman]

I would prefer to keep my Ortliebs for heavy duty use. Just get the attachments as spare parts is my suggestion.
Willem

[pedalsheep]

I certainly wouldn't be taking my Ortlieb's apart permanently and would build any new panniers with replacement parts but, if I understand correctly, Foxyrider's method requires you to dismantle them to create a template for the rear stiffener.

[foxyrider]

I certainly wouldn't be taking my Ortlieb's apart permanently and would build any new panniers with replacement parts but, if I understand correctly, Foxyrider's method requires you to dismantle them to create a template for the rear stiffener.

thats exactly it

[argaume]

What about having the Arkel Dry-lite on a front pannier like on a front side/porteur rack?

for example the Front Surly Nice rack http://surlybikes.com//uploads/parts/RK0101.jpg
or
Jandd Extreme front rack http://www.jandd.com/ProdImages/RacksRa ... ail350.jpg

Would it be able to lower the panniers towards the center of the wheel?

I am interested in this setup in the front with may be the tent/sleeping mat in the back + a front handlebar bag .... rather than having most of the weight in the back.
I would like to achieve best weight distribution/performance purpose,, what do you think?

[foxyrider]

You'll see from the pic to the right that i run a five bag set up for camping. Barbag for valuables, front bags with clothing etc on a Tubus Logo lorider rack and camping gear at rear riding a Tubus Carry Ti rack with drop bars.

Weight is balanced @ 30f/70r - not that there's much @ 10kg, but the bike is very stable, enough that i can ride no hands with it loaded - not that i do of course. that would be silly!

[Graham O]

I've been thinking of making a set of ultra light panniers which could become a commercial product as there doesn't appear to be many lightweight designs. The Arkel ones are okay, but they are rolltop, which means the contents get squashed which isn't good if you've just bought some bread, and their volume is a quite low.
I know what will suit me, but getting other people's opinions is always good. Spec. - 40litre per pair, but each pair can be extended upwards by 10l or compressed with compression straps. Not waterproof, so if you want to keep things dry, put them in a dry bag. They will hook onto the rack and have a "universal" strap across the bottom to stop them moving outwards. Mesh pocket on the outside plus a pocket on the lid. Hard plastic back to keep them out of the wheels.
Anything else people would like to have?

Initial designs show that the weight will be under 600g per pair.

[foxyrider]

I don't think your spec is worth pusuing at all -
not waterproof? use a dry bag - surely thats adding extra weight?
Solid plastic back? thats not going to be light.
Universal strap? sounds like something from the 1800's

All those straps and pockets sound like a recipe for disaster.

It might be your ideal bag but i don't think its a commercial proposition - i sell cycle luggage and i've never been asked for anything even remotely like your design

[Graham O]

I don't think your spec is worth pusuing at all -
not waterproof? use a dry bag - surely thats adding extra weight?
Solid plastic back? thats not going to be light.
Universal strap? sounds like something from the 1800's

All those straps and pockets sound like a recipe for disaster.

It might be your ideal bag but i don't think its a commercial proposition - i sell cycle luggage and i've never been asked for anything even remotely like your design

Waterproofing a fabric adds more weight than a dry bag. Not in the weight of the coating, but in the implications for fabric weight and weave.
Plastic back - 80g - indispensible, as a pannier going into wheels is not a good idea.
Don't understand your comment about something from the 1800's. It's not dissimilar to the Arkel method.
Pockets - one of the main complaints found on forums about Ortleibs is the lack of pockets.
Straps - not a problem with correct design.

People don't ask for it because in an internet savvy age, they have probably already Googled for luggage and seen what's available. It's also the most quoted reason for stifling innovation. I've built an expedition business based on innovation and listening to users needs. In terms of weight and modern materials, the cycling luggage market is way behind what most other outdoor users want and expect.

[Vantage]

Anything else people would like to have?

Anchor hoops on the straps like on these panniers which would be handy if the need for a set of bungee straps or other attachment became necessary.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002 ... UTF8&psc=1

[Graham O]

Anchor hoops on the straps like on these panniers which would be handy if the need for a set of bungee straps or other attachment became necessary.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002 ... UTF8&psc=1

Versatility is what I'm trying to achieve so I'll certainly look at adding D rings in strategic places.

[foxyrider]

I don't eschew the use of a stiffener in bags - i got well and truly fed up with making back boards in the 80's but if you look at either my lightweight bags or even Ortlieb you don't need a great lump of material to do the job adequately.

Just because the Arkel design is similar doesn't mean its great - its certainly not popular amongst the buying public - in this internet savvy world consumers can and will compare products much more easily so if thats what they wanted they would actually come and ask for it don't you think?

Pockets - never the right size for anything useful - Ortlieb do offer pockets and mesh - you add them to the basic bag and the fitting system leaves the bag watertight plus you have the option of removing them when you don't need them (you could use their pocket system on any brand of bag so its not even brand - centric!)

Any strap hanging off a bag anywhere near a wheel is a potential accident waiting to happen - been there, done that

Waterproofing a sewn bag is nigh on impossible to do without taping seams but if its such a problem how come my tents which weigh nothing are waterproof?