ultra light panniers

[Sooper8]

I found this idea on here a while back.
https://www.alpkit.com/products/airlok-xtra

I'm going to give it a try. Good price.

[nmnm]

I've been thinking of making a set of ultra light panniers which could become a commercial product

Go for it, Graham O! I vote for the plastic back, and for almost waterproof, so I'd double bag my down sleeping bag but not oft-used things like that jumper that comes off and on 4 times a day.

My ideal pannier might be my old Karrimor Universal rear panniers (1400g a pair, iirc) but in a new magic fabric, like that Cuben stuff.

[Graham O]

Go for it, Graham O! I vote for the plastic back, and for almost waterproof, so I'd double bag my down sleeping bag but not oft-used things like that jumper that comes off and on 4 times a day.

My ideal pannier might be my old Karrimor Universal rear panniers (1400g a pair, iirc) but in a new magic fabric, like that Cuben stuff.

Thanks nmnm for a positive response. As you say, some things need to be kept dry, while other things can get wet. In a fully waterproof pannier, if you store anything damp inside, the dampness will get into those things which MUST stay dry.
Cuben fibre is light and water repellent AIUI, but is not durable. I've got some ripstop polyesters and various silnylons which will do the job. The challenge is determining the right set of parameters of weight, durability and weatherproofness.
I'm working on the first designs this week and will try to post updates as they occur.
I think I remember those Karrimor panniers but will have a Google for them.

[nmnm]

Thanks nmnm for a positive response.

A pleasure, good luck. Main thing with small weekend-sized prototype projects is to get on with it and enjoy it and keep your can-do spirit intact, I think. Remember to take pics as you construct! Foxy's pannier building page was terrific iirc.

[RonK]

If reducing weight is the aim, why not do away with racks and panniers altogether and use bikepacking bags?

[willem jongman]

In practice bikepacking bags are not lighter. Their advantage is in better handling off road.

[Graham O]

I've looked at various multi bag systems over the years, both for cycling and for our professional work, but generally, many small bags will weigh more than one large bag and be less versatile. It's great if they can be customised to exactly your requirements, i.e. this sleeping bag fits in this bag and I won't use any other bag, but trying to find stuff can be a problem unless your packing is very disciplined.

[boblo]

I've got and still use a pair of those old Karrimor panniers. They are made of 'Silvaguard' which is a fancy PU nylon. They are light, much lighter than my Ortleib's. If you want any details for plagiarism, PM me as I would be interested in a new pair if you find yourself going down that route.

[Graham O]

Silvaguard! I've still got a rucsac at home made of Silvaguard and bought in 1981 IIRC. I'll have a look at it and see what the fabric really is.

Just had some prices for Cuben fibre fabrics and it's eyewateringly expensive in small quantities. Even in volume it's not cheap, but I'll ask for some samples and see what it is like. It is certainly the fabric of the moment.

[foxyrider]

look very much like the ones i made last year - coincidence?
(search for lightweight panniers on here)

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=73924&p=644064

How have they performed? Any wear and tear problems?

Well i used them on tour this year and they certainly survived 2.5 weeks! The Ortlieb fixings meant that they were as easy to use as genuine Ortlieb bags, they were easy to squish for packing to fly and generally i was pretty pleased with them.

However there are a few things of note:-

the size was a little too large
that in turn caused maybe a bit more 'sag' when less fully loaded than ideal
the bags i used were cheap - the waterproofness was not as good as i would have expected
the durability whilst okay wasn't brilliant - i managed to hole one bag on a thorn!

A mk2 version will be made! I will address these issues with smaller, better quality bags.