BIKE: Bike rack bags

[Patrick Goetz]

Michael Zakes wrote:
> I'll vouch for the Jandd stuff as well, I have a commuter pack with 10+ years of use
> and it's still running great. the only one I've ever seen come back for warranty was
> owned by the most destructive forces in the world, a 14 yr old boy

It sounds like Jandd is the consensus; I have 5 Jandd bags, one which 
I've been using every day for around 7 years, and have yet to have one 
break.  Allegedly they come with a lifetime warranty, but I've heard 
there are problems getting them to honor this.  All saddle bags seem to 
be kind of expensive; Jandd is no exception.

The one thing that is not convenient about Jandd bags is that they're 
not particulary waterproof.  If it's raining hard, all your stuff will 
get wet.  I've taken to carrying plastic shopping bags in my Jandd bag 
all the time and wrapping everything up in plastic bags when it starts 
to rain.

Last time I was in Germany/Austria I noticed that everyone was using 
saddlebags that included a nifty raincoat attachment that covered the 
outside of the bag.  After a good deal of research, I figured out that 
they were probably made by this company:

      http://www.ortlieb.de/

These bags truly appear to be the top of the line in bicycle saddlebags, 
but they also cost $$$, and I'm not sure you can buy them at any bike 
shop in town.

Finally, for commuting, these 3 would be my top choices.  (The top one 
-- Jandd -- is the one I've been using every day for 7 years; if I ever 
have opportunity to get a new one I'll probably splurge and get the last 
in this list, the Ortlieb.)

   http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FCP
   http://www.panniers.com/index.asp
   http://www.ortlieb.de/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=officebag