Aluminium Panniers

[Shakey]

I have begun to do a little touring. On a previous tour I used a single wheel trailer & found it to be a little "exciting" when the speeds got 35+ kph, so I decided to try & build a set of low hung panniers for better handling on the downhills.
I considered using fabric, fiberglass or wood before settling on aluminum. It is relatively cheap, light, waterproof & easy to work with.
Metal work is not my forte so the folds/bends are a little rough but 'functionally' they turned out better than I was expecting. On the break-in tour I received a number of favorable comments on the looks, so either I ran into a bunch of sarcastic folks or else they really do look ok from a distance.

They have a combined volume of ~90 litres, which is about the same as a large set of rear panniers + a set of front panniers + a handle bar bag.
Their combined weight is ~5.2 kg (11.5 lbs) & I was packing ~14 kg (30lbs) of gear.

The Good
========

Loaded bike handled very well at high speed. Top speed for the trip was 63+ kph & lots of downhills 50+ kph.
It turns out the panniers also double as a kickstand. Lucky break.
Easy access to your gear.
Lighter than a trailer, dry bag, extra tube .... I figure I saved ~5lbs.
banged my shins & ankles a lot less than I thought I would.
Mice & squirrel resistant.


The Bad:
========

There was some wind resistance, but I found I still averaged a little over 20 kph (riding time) on a 100 km trip.
It was a little awkward getting on & off the bike.
A bit awkward pushing the bike through doorways & gates.


Nice & low with the weight not too far back;
alt="Side view"

The hanging bars wrapped with an inner tube to cut down on rattles.
The 'X frame' part is to hold the panniers from folding in at the bottom.
alt="Hanger"

 

[ak-tux]

Wow! that's alot of welding

Wow! that's alot of welding and skill! Does is hit your legs when you come to a stop and dismount?

 

[Romagjack]

You are really rigged for

You are really rigged for touring. What equipment do you have on the handleabars?

 

[Shakey]

Hi ak-tux,
No welding, just

Hi ak-tux,
No welding, just bends, pop rivits & a few bolts.
People have said they look pretty good .....from a distance, but up close it is easy to see that they are a little rough. Think of them as a prototype.
They are really nice to ride with, not in the way at all while riding or stopping. They do prevent me from using my feet to do a running start. I have to peddle away from stops if that makes sense. No straddling the seat & take a few running steps, then flop into the seat once your speed is up.
I have long legs so getting on & off wasn't really a problem, they were most awkward pushing the bike through narrow gates & doorways.

This is what they look like inside, the shelves are partly for strength as well.
alt="inside"

Hi Romagjack,
As for getting rigged for touring, I am getting there. Work in progress.
On my bars are the mirror, 2 headlights, computer and I put some handle bar extensions above my brake levers. Not sure if you can see them well in this small picture. They turned out to be a nice alterative arm position on longer rides, almost like a set of 'areo bars'.
The bag on the stem is an underseat bag that is a handy place to keep my camera.
The seatpost rack is the Axiom Journey. I previously had a cheaper rack that broke after a year. This one seems to be worth the extra $$ ... so far.
http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/racks/rear-racks/journey-dlx-seatpost/

 

[Bill Wilby]

Great idea, I have considered

Great idea, I have considered something similar with the idea that they would also attach together and make one case to hold a 20 inch wheel set. Then when packing the Quest in a suitcase I could leave out the wheels and stuff clothes in the extra space. This would make packing the Quest in a suitcase much easier for travel and provide storage for touring. I would still need to store the suitcase until the return flight. I see them being about 21x21 inches and attaching behind the seat and to a rear rack. Bill

 

[RogerSarrasin]

Great idea !

Hey, great and not just for touring ! In commuting situation, even empty, it serves as a bumper to clear off some to much close drivers. For more space in the back I would suggest to change the 26" wheel with a 20" BMX wheel with internal hub break. Thats what is on the new CFF (Cruzbike Fast Freight).