BIKE: Bike rack bags

[Lauren Strickler]

I swear by Arkel Overdesign.  Really, really high quality materials and bags.  They also sell separate rain coverings for each style bag.  Well worth every penny.  I even use one of them every day to protect my nicest pannier (a briefcase style) from fading in the sun (and the bright yellow makes me more visible).  The one problem i had was with the briefcase - it has a velcro thing to cover the hooks for it to attach to the rack for use as a normal bag.  Problem is, the velcro didn't totally stick to itself, meaning it rubbed against my clothes.  Before I realized this, it had damaged a few of my really nice clothes (suits).  I called them to complain, and their response was sorry, we've fixed the problem now.  Didn't really help me, so now I carry the briefcase backwards to protect my clothes.  Kind of defeats the purpose of making it look nice and like a normal bag, because it looks pretty silly and awkward backwards.  But, except for that, their customer service has been 
 great - really prompt and personable.  We have four of their panniers, and like them all.  All the features you'd want - multiple pockets, good sized, sturdy, reflective stripes, etc.  They do cost a lot, but just like was said earlier, all good panniers do.

I'm not sure where in town you can find Arkel - I've usually ordered on-line at www.arkel-od.com.  Their customer service is also good at helping you decide what will meet your needs, and their web site is also very informative - everything from dimensions to user testimonials, to very specific specs and answers to any questions you may have.

Lauren Strickler
512-567-9171
lauren


Original Message:
>From: Patrick Goetz <pgoetz>
>To: forum-bicycleaustin.info
>Subject: Re: BIKE: Bike rack bags
>Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 11:51:47 -0500

>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
>_______________________________________________
>Get on or off this list here:  http://lists.bicycleaustin.info/listinfo.cgi/forum-bicycleaustin.info
>
>