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Home > Avenir Metro Panniers (1,380 Cubic-Inch Capacity)
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Avenir Metro Panniers (1,380 Cubic-Inch Capacity)
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Show more by Avenir
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Average Rating:  (88 Reviews)
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List Price: $39.99
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Our Price: $32.99
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You Save: $7.00 (18%)
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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4 New from $32.99
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- One large main compartment with internal pockets and shoulder strap
- Reflective stripe and rear light attachment clip
- Attaches to rack with two wide Velcro
- ® straps
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Product Description:
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Avenir by Raleigh is the premier bicycle accessory line from legendary Raleigh Bicycles.
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The durable, well-constructed Avenir Metro Panniers are spacious and can hold up to 1,380 cubic inches. Perfect for urban riders who need some convenient storage space when on-the-move, each pannier is conveniently sized to fit your necessities. The panniers are made of strong nylon construction for durability and features on large main compartment with internal pockets and a shoulder strap. Lined with reflective piping for increased visibility at night, the panniers attaches to your rack with two wide Velcro straps.
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Customers' Reviews:
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 Excellent buy, July 18, 2008
By Tracy Q from St Albans (Herts, UK) (Rhode Island, USA)
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I wanted saddlebags for day trips and occasional shopping. These are great - easy to fit, you do need a rear rack though - but they do include bungee cords on the inside to stop them flapping, this makes it less convenient for quick removal, but I far prefer the stability.
To give an idea of size (if like me you can't figure capacity in cubic inches) - I was able to fit 2(US) gallons of milk in each large pocket (US gallon = 6 UK pints).
A real reason to be able to get on yer bike (as Norman Tebbitt once said) and beat the gas prices before they get to UK heights!
96 of 96 people found this review helpful
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 can't wait to get rid of these, August 30, 2009
By N8N (inside the beltway USA)
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I don't understand all the positive reviews for these panniers. I consider them "pannier shaped objects" not real panniers. They work fine if they are full, but if you're seriously riding and they're mostly empty (e.g. just carrying a lock, spare tube, a handful of tools etc.) they sway back and forth as there is no positive clip to the vertical support of your rack, just a very long and thin bungee cord - and worse yet, they don't have any reinforcement on the bottoms so the contents of the panniers actually hang below the reinforcement boards. Over time they will start to sway so much that they go into the spokes of your rear wheel whenever you get a little less than smooth. Today I had one of my panniers go into my spokes at about 25 MPH when I got out of the saddle over a little rise rather than gear down, scared the whee out of me (and it can't be good for the wheel either.)
My advice - don't buy panniers at all unless you need them (I'm getting a trunk bag instead, I can't wait for it to show up so I can ditch these embarrassing pieces of crap) and if you DO really need panniers get some good ones like Ortlieb or Jandd. Life is too short to be pissed off because you bought the cheap stuff, that is a lesson I am learning, and definitely too short to end up with road rash because you flinched when your cheap panniers went into your rear wheel and made a crucial sounding racket. (I haven't ditched my bike yet, but I'm not getting back on it until my trunk bag and new rack show up, fortunately tracking information shows them arriving tomorrow. I am trying the Topeak trunk bag is why I am replacing my rear rack.)
In short these are cheap panniers and if you just need something for your city bike which never goes over 10 MPH to schlep around library books or light grocery shopping these will be fine, but if you ride seriously these will piss you off. Two stars only because these will actually serve their intended purpose if you are a light/easy rider, and they appear to be sturdily constructed, but really for my needs they're a zero star product. I was hoping to be pleasantly surprised by an inexpensive product, but of course, that rarely happens.
48 of 57 people found this review helpful
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Great for the Price!, August 3, 2008
By Porsche owner (Indiana)
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Took these paniers on a 340 mile bike trek; they withstood the test most satisfactorly. I was lucky enough not to encounter rain, so I don't know how well they would withstand the wet. I carried extra shoes, clothes, and a first aid kit(full sized), with no problem.
The attachments are good. I did, however, add a wire-ty around the bottom hooks; it wouldn't do to have one of these spring loose and snag a spoke.
This a good purchase for a low price.
26 of 28 people found this review helpful
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Good Panniers for the money, August 26, 2008
By Jamey Townsend
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I was worried when I bought these that I could not fit everything I needed in it for my commute. I read a review on here that stated they fit 2 gallons of milk in each side, so I decided to get this. I was happy that I could fit a pair of pants, shirt, and undies all in just one side of it. The other side I put my lunch in it with plenty of extra room. I have an electric hub motor assist so my charger fits perfectly into one of the side pockets. The only drawback that I had with this item was the straps to fasten it to the rear bike rack. I wish there were better options as my rear bike rack is not one that can use straps going the legnthwise of the rack. I have a 25 pound battery pack that I place on the back and was not able to strap that in without modifying the Panniers, (placed small cuts to allow the velcro straps to be feed from the battiery pack through the panniers around the rack and back through). All in all the Panniers seem to be working great.
23 of 25 people found this review helpful
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Fantastic bags for hauling groceries, June 9, 2009
By J. Manzo (Chicago, IL USA)
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Just put these on the bike and they're my new best friend. You probably are wondering, what's 1,380 cubic inches really hold? Well, here's a simple answer - I tested it and could just barely get 2 one gallon jugs of milk on a single side (well, 1 one gallon and 2 half gallons, I didn't have 2 one gallons available at the time). So if you need to haul around 4 gallons of something, you're set!
No seriously, these bags are great. I was able to carry all sorts of groceries, my bike lock, books, lunch, everything fits in there. I reasoned my way into these instead of the Metro 3.0 panniers by saying this: those other bags have a top compartment that supposedly gets squished when you load up the bottom. If I decide I want more space later, I'll just get a rack trunk, which can easily be loaded on top of this bag. Plus, this one comes with a carrying handle, which is nice. Also, I'm NEVER going to want to move as many groceries up a hill as I would be able to with the larger model.
The bags are very secure on the bike, since they come with attached bungee cords and a plastic insert to stiffen the inside walls resting against the frame. There's no rattle, and they install within about 60 seconds. The bags are fairly light, look pretty cool, and hold more than I had hoped. At this price point, there's nothing comparable!
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
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However you pronounce 'panniers', these panniers are lovely., April 9, 2010
By Can I interest you in viewing m.. (Columbus, IN USA)
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After deciding on the "Ventura Universal Bicycle Carrier Rack" as my super-cheap bicycle rack of choice, I decided to look for a matching set of super-cheap panniers.
My wife calls them "saddlebags," which I try to find offensive as a SERIOUS CYCLIST but it's too funny to stay offended for long, you know? Plus, I don't know the proper way to pronounce 'panniers' and I'm too lazy to look it up. I suspect it's French, but who knows. They've got a "big deal bike race" over in France every year, right?
These panniers have a rigid interior panel on the side that faces the rear wheel, so they aren't flopping here and there. They also include a handy little clip on each side that you can adjust to one of three optional heights and attach the pannier to the bottom of your Bicycle Carrier Rack. Convenient!
The panniers are held to the Bicycle Carrier Rack up top with four canvas straps and four plastic loops. Once you snug those up, it's going nowhere!
I commute to work with my bike, so I carry my work clothes, some personal hygiene supplies, my towel (I'm a hoopy frood who knows where his towel is), and various personal effects in the smaller side-pockets of the pannier. Honestly, this works so much better for me than my old method of wearing a backpack since my back doesn't get all sweaty this way! You know what I'm talking about.
So go for it! Get the "Avenir Metro Panniers (1,380 Cubic-Inch Capacity)" with the "Ventura Universal Bicycle Carrier Rack" and start living the dream.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Nice looking, easy to use, June 21, 2009
By J. Weight
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I bought these for myself for father's day. I'm not so good at converting 1380 cubic inches to useful dimensions for the bags. The main compartment is around 14"x9"x4". It's a REAL stretch to get my 15" screen laptop into one of the compartments. I had to do a bit of pushing and pulling. Other than that, I fully expect to be able to get a set of work clothes into one of these bags without any problems as long as the shoes aren't too bulky. I've included a picture so you can see them relative to a standard sized road bike.
I just attached them tonight, so they haven't been on the road yet. I'll update the review when I get a couple of commutes in.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Perfection!, June 26, 2009
By Krista Duran (Charlotte, NC United States)
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My fiancee and I take a sunday bike ride to the nearest grocery store, before I purchased these bags we were just strapping bookbags on our backs to carry the groceries, it was not ideal.
I did a lot of research on different bags here on amazon, and read all the reviews and decided these seemed the best for the price, and I was right. Fits perfectly onto my bike rack, doesn't flap in the wind or anything. Easy to install, easy to remove. Carries A LOT of food, in my opinion, at least a lot more than two book bags. Extremely happy with these. :)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
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they almost killed me, October 19, 2009
By veda (brooklyn, ny)
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While these are really convenient and carry a lot of stuff, they can easily get caught in your rear spokes. This is very dangerous. It sent me to a skidding stop while crossing a four lane highway as the light was turning. I'm incredibly lucky that I didn't get hurt or killed. I have had these for about 3 months and they have gotten caught in my spokes more times than I can count. Usually it happens when they are empty, but also has happened when they have been full of stuff (like in the case of the near death incident).
I think this product should be recalled. I am throwing mine away.
8 of 12 people found this review helpful
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Good for the price, some issues., September 1, 2009
By P. Rich (Pittsburgh, PA)
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These panniers did the job on an 8-day camping/biking trip. However, the hooks on each side are attached to 2 bungee cords, and one of these on each side broke within a few weeks of heavy use. The hooks still function because of the other cords, but I'm worried that they might break too eventually. Also, although there is a top handle for carrying the panniers, it's rather awkward to carry them with it and a shoulder strap would have been a nice addition.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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 Worth the price, January 5, 2010
By JTYeehaw (Florida)
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Is it better than my $80 Jandd Economy Panniers, no, but it was also less than half the price. Can fit a bag of groceries on one side and a gallon of milk on the other, which is what I needed it for, so I am happy.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
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Awesomely Waterproof, Ghetto Professional, February 1, 2011
By Honestly Now. . . (Hilo, HI)
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I live in Hilo, HI aka Wettest City in the US. These panniers have taken me back and forth to work every day with tests and papers dry as a bone (I work @ a college). While they may not technically be "waterproof" since you can't submerge them, rain doesn't leak through the zippers or anywhere else. This is one seriously water-resistant bag.
The only complaint I have is that the little bungee that secures the bags to the rear bike rack sometimes gets in the way of my spokes if I don't secure it. I don't think they're really necessary and might cut them off.
I should say that I used to have a Chrome Citizen bag which was bona fide waterproof, but it got stolen so I bought this. I realize that, while my Chrome bag was hipper, this bag was nearly $100 less and works just as well. Since I've started using these, my shoulder never aches and I look like I actually work at the college rather than look like I'm a student. That can be good or bad, however you take it - who gives a rat's butt b/c I saved $100 bucks and I still look good. Eat your heart out hipsters.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Just what I needed, May 20, 2010
By City cyclist
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These panniers work perfectly. There is room for a lot stuff in each side, They fit on the back of my bike and don't get caught on anything while I'm riding. They are easy to put on and take off. I like the reflective fabric on both the sides and back. There are 2 hooks that hang between the bag and the bike I haven't figured out a good placement for, but they don't seem to be necessary. I have had a number of panniers over the years and these are the first ones I've had that really work.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Perfect item for "grocery runs", September 12, 2009
By Expert (Arizona)
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I ordered this item, got free super saver shipping, and it arrived at my house the very next day! (It shipped from Phoenix, and I live in Phoenix, so that's probably why it was so fast).
Anyway, I just got myself a nice cruiser bicycle last week with the intent of using it as much as possible for little trips to the grocery store, video store, etc. To do this, though, I needed some type of bag or basket to attach to my bike. This item fit the bill perfectly. It was very easy to mount. There are 4 straps underneath the middle piece of the item which you loop through rear rack then connect to adjustable fasteners on top. The side pieces (the actual bags) each have a bungie cord on the side that touches the bike. You wrap these around the support arms of the rear rack, then hook the end onto a little plastic loop. I'm sure I didn't describe it well, but it was easy and secure.
I haven't yet had an opportunity to put a lot of stuff in the bags yet, but I can tell you they are roomy. I just brought home 15 chicken soft tacos, 2 20oz bottles of pepsi, and a DVD, and that didn't even come close to filling up 1 of the bags.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Feet hit bag - fail..., November 24, 2010
By Certified Engineerd (SoCal)
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My review is bad because due to a combination of bicycle design and bag design this bag was unusable. When I tried to ride my heels hit the bag and I was unable to ride at all - I tried sliding the bag as far back as possible but was never able to ride with this bag on my mountain bike. A longer wheelbase bicycle may work fine with this bag. However I would suggest that the bag could have been designed better to begin with - had the front of the bag been tapered back away from the crank & pedals the bag would fit on more bikes (think upside down triangle). Other bags are designed this way. had the bag fit, I think it would have been fine, it seems like a good bag, but I cannot rate it well due to the design flaw...
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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Too big for pedals, June 23, 2010
By GC Jordahl
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I purchased two of these because I have two bikes. However, I cannot get them high enough or back enough to keep from kicking them with the heals of my shoes. I modified one set by drilling a hole in the bags and zip tieing it flat to the bike frame to keep from kicking them. I finally replaced them with a smaller set of bags. One set I never even used before replacing them.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
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Not perfect, but not bad for the price, July 30, 2010
By Handyman Dan
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I purchased these about a month ago along with an EX-1 rear rack. Easy to install, sturdy, fine for doing errands around town. I can put a twelve-pack of beer in each side without difficulty. I cannot however get my lap top (14.75 x 9.5 inches)in because the zippers don't go around far enough. Have since seen other cyclists with open topped rear rack mounted baskets which look like they might hold more stuff.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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excellent value, perfect size, June 13, 2010
By C. Sooknah (OC, CA)
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Bought these to help me make annual trips to the market. They can fit gallon jugs of milk and carry quite a bit of groceries without sagging too far. Great set, they fit perfectly and look great too!
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Great value!, June 18, 2010
By E. Flower (Columbus, OH)
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The bags are sturdy yet lightweight; the extra hooks that clip to the inside of your frame are very helpful. I ride often with the bags empty and there isn't pronounced flapping in the wind. I haven't caught my feet or anything else in these bags in the 2 months that I have had them. For the price, they are a great value.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Great Deal, Great Product!, August 13, 2011
By Cyrus in Greensboro
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Avenir Metro Panniers (1,380 Cubic-Inch Capacity)
I'm not sure yet how to attach pictures to this, but I was really impressed with the size and quality of the product in comparison to the pictures I've seen online. The pictures, of course, show the bags stuffed with paper in order to reflect the full capacity; though, when the panniers arrive, they come flat. Overall, very happy with the purchase, and I'm excited to get out and start putting it to use!
General Material
The bags are made form a durable poly material with some sort of thin reinforcement board on the sides that touch the bike so that they keep their shape and can hold to the bike. I'm sure that the material can be punctured if you put sharp objects in the bags, so I wouldn't recommend that; but, the bags appear great for general food shopping, carrying bike supplies, and clothing.
Rain Resistance
On the inside of the poly material, it has this rubber coating, which looks great for repelling water. I'm in a pretty rainy arrea and although I don't mind getting wet, I don't want my food or clothing getting soaked inside the bag.
Reflective Material
The "white" that you see in the main product picture is 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material. This material enhances being visible to others during night and low-light situations. This material returns light back to a sources, such as vehicle headlights, creating a bright image that motorists are more likely to see from a distance.
Bungee Cords
I don't recall seeing these listed in the primary product description, but i did see someone else mention it in his review. There are bungee cords that are built onto the panniers which are used to hook the bags to your frame. I know my frame already has a few holes that can be used for stuff like this, and it really holds the panniers down!
Top Straps
Aside from the bungee cords, it also features poly straps that you may also find on a back pack with plastic rings that hold the straps in place when you tighten them up. These work in conjunction with the bungee cords to hold the panniers in place while you're riding. These, though, hook to the top of your bike rack, where the panniers rest on.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Extremely durable, January 19, 2011
By J. Petersen
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I've been using this product daily for about eight months and haul a lot of stuff. The zippers are highly constructed and are holding up excellent. I've never had a problem with the mini-bungie cords getting wrapped in the spokes as some have claimed. I highly recommend this product for those that transport a lot of goods on a daily basis. My bike is a Schwinn Lake Shore Cruiser and fits perfectly.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great bags!, June 1, 2009
By jdplawman (Merrill, WI)
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These are great bags for the bike. Roomy and well constructed, I use them often for grocery shopping and taking items to work in the morning. I also like the handle they put on for easy carrying.Great price, too!
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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avenir metro panniers-great for daily commute, August 5, 2009
By Stephen Rothenburgh (Denver, CO USA)
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I purchased the Avenir Metro Panniers and have really enjoyed using them. I frequently ride my bike to work and back and these are great for putting clothes, food, personal effects, etc. into. I would strongly recommend to the casual commuter.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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After 2 months of use . . ., July 6, 2010
By dankrecklow (Wisconsin, USA)
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I am very happy with this item.
I hate reading reviews and then realizing that the reviewer has used the item only very briefly. I have had the Avenir Metro Panniers on my bike for nearly 2 months now and I'm ready to offer my opinion . . . so far, so good.
Initially I strapped them to my rear rack and jumped on the bike for a test ride. My heels bumped the bags almost every time I pedaled so I headed home for readjustment. I was able to position the bags as far back as possible, and since then my heels have only bumped the bags 2 or 3 times total. My daily commute is 8.5 miles, so I think that is acceptable.
The construction of the bags seems good. The seams and straps are all still intact. The oft mentioned bungee cords are also still intact (although I do have a couple spares in one of the pockets . . . just in case). I regularly carry 2 to 4 bottles of water, dried fruit, bungee cords, books, and work clothes in the bags with no problems.
Just one final caution . . . since the bags have such large capacity, keep your load balanced.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Broke after less than a week, August 31, 2011
By harperle31
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Really excited about these bags based on price and reviews. Barely a week's use and the straps are ripping from the bag--not even carrying heavy stuff (lunch, change of clothes, etc). I would not recommend this bag for bike commuters.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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 They lasted one summer, June 7, 2011
By S. Leonard (Washington, DC)
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Awesome storage space, easy to attach, and very light, but to a fault. These just aren't sturdy enough for lots of use. I bike to work and live in NYC. The bungee straps broke after 3 months and I can't put this on my rack anymore.
Glad I only paid less than $30 for these, but I'll be buying something more sturdy this time around.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Exactly what I wanted, May 21, 2011
By Reviewer
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Great product for a great price. I bought two set one for me one for my wife. I commute daily and stuff my bags full. The outer pockets are great for holding those things that you want quick access to, like a cell phone or keys. They are easy to remove and install. I've taken them through some heavy rains and they kept all my things dry.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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They do the job., April 27, 2011
By Sharrn
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These hold a lot of stuff. I commute daily with a pair of high top steel toe boots in one side, beanie, sweater, 3-4 sandwiches, gloves, bike jacket(for night) in the other side, bike emergency kit(spare tube, tools etc..) keys, lock, phone,), and the battery for my headlights. One side of the panniers has gone into my wheel once. I'm not sure what happened. I did have them put on right(2 straps on front, 2 on back, 2 bungee's. There wasn't much weight in the bags though. Maybe the wind caught them. I don't know. As long as there's weight in the bags I haven't had a problem. Each big compartment hold's appx. a 12 pack of *insert beverage of choice here*. The smaller outer pockets are perfect for your repair kits/phone and other small stuff. Overall I think their ok for how much they hold. Mine are continuously weighed down with 20+ lbs, and they work well. My feet occasionally do hit the front of the bags, but not often enough to worry.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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The best thing I purchased for my bike!, March 27, 2010
By N. DeWitt (The Woodlands, TX United States)
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I bought this pannier mostly for grocery shopping, and it works great! After over 6 months of regular usage, I have never had any problems. It ties to the bike rack very securely, and the bags are very durable. I love the zipper closure and the extra small pockets on each side (perfect for wallet, keys and cell phone). It holds enough for a small grocery shopping (about one shopping basket full). Once I carried home over 20lbs load of grocery home and everything stayed intact during my somewhat bumpy 3 mile ride back home. Just yesterday, I biked 22 mile carrying water and light snacks for four people.
I don't bike at the racing speed (probably around 10 to 12 miles per hour), so maybe that's why I have not experienced any flapping or swaying. The pannier never got caught on my rear spokes, either. If you are casual biker looking for a sturdy storage for your grocery, this is it!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Solid construction., October 9, 2009
By J. Ellerbach (New Orleans)
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Conquers the problem of backing plates sliding up into other parts of the bags (a major flaw in other models from Metro) and leaves you with a well-constructed set of bags that is made of soft material that collapses out of your way when not in use.
Handle design makes removing from bike to carry as a sack more comfortable than on other Metro models. Small side pockets are nice features.
Reflector strips are a nice safety bonus.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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I like them, April 5, 2009
By D. E. Burg (Ca, US)
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Decent amount of carrying space. Like stated above each side can carry a little more then 1 gallon of milk. They seem durable enough and are easy to install and remove while attaching quite firmly to you bicycle rack.
I had to come back and revise my review. I keep expecting a seem to pop after what I've put it through, but they are still holding up well even 2 years later.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Good enough, October 4, 2009
By A. Litwin
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This is a good bag to flip onto the rack on the back of my bike. The only problem I've had so far is that the bag had some bungee hooks that I think were meant to secure the bag to the rack. I wasn't sure how that was supposed to be accomplished and what I tried did not work, since the bungee broke which ended up in the hook and bungee cord getting stuck in my spokes. I can still secure the bag to my rack without the bungees, so I'm not sure what they were for.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Not perfect, but not bad for the price, July 31, 2010
By Handyman Dan
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I purchased these about a month ago along with an EX-1 rear rack. Easy to install, sturdy, fine for doing errands around town. I can put a twelve-pack of beer in each side without difficulty. I cannot however get my lap top (14.75 x 9.5 inches)in because the zippers don't go around far enough. Have since seen other cyclists with open topped rear rack mounted baskets which look like they might hold more stuff.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Entry-Mid Grade Product, OK Storage Capacity, June 7, 2011
By Gibby82
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The best way to put it is that you get what you pay for. The quality is a bit under what I'd like (already having trouble with the zippers), and storage isn't quite as large as I would have liked. However, it was ~$30 so I can't complain too much.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Disappointed, June 5, 2011
By Jessica Trovato (SOLVAY, NY, US)
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I've had these panniers for a few months now and they aren't horrible. I am a bike commuter and they have worked good for some things. They are large enough to hold my lunch, a change of clothes and all my incidentals. My only real complaint has been with the fasteners on the underside. There are two elastic bands that can hook to your rack to prevent movement of the panniers. After about a month the elastic bands started to break. After two months the elastic bands have become completely unusable and now I have to buy new panniers. Lesson learned!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Very happy with it, May 21, 2011
By MICHAEL OSULLIVAN (Palmdale, CA)
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I commute to work by bicycle, so I needed some carrying capacity to replace the briefcase I previously used to haul stuff into the office. These panniers work very nicely. I am able to carry my bike lock, repair equipment, lunch, papers, CDs, and extra clothes with no problem. It fits nicely on my bike rack and does not shift at all during riding. and I even have room to tie down something on top if need be. I live in the desert, so i don't have much opportunity to ride in the rain, so I can't rate the waterproofness. I did not give it 5 stars because I think it could be considered undersized for large hauls such as groceries, although I have not yet tried doing that yet.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Uh Oh...can't use trunk rack too!, May 16, 2011
By Mark A. Bajek
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I've got two bike with racks, one's a blackburn rack the other a bruce gordon.
I've got a few panniers, some OK ones (performance) some really nice ones (beckman) but I wanted a pair I could absolutely trash if I needed to...So for $30 bucks? Use them for training rides loaded with cans of soup or baked bean...find some hills, toughen up my legs and glutes..then put real panniers on the bike and tour across the moonscape of Michigan roadways risking bent frames and forks along the way.
For what amounts to a 1/2 tank of gas? I'm surprised they aren't made of wax paper.
Cheap enough to experiment with...cheap enough to trash. I'd say they're good for a quick trip to the store for milk and cookies....or bologna and hotdogs, bread and buns. Not much else...I'm not sure I'd trust em on an actual expedition for a fully loaded tour.. maybe a credit card tour for a day or so.. but not one that involves camping out in the hinterlands far far away from a real pannier store, like wal mart.
They attach moderately well to a Bruce gordon style rack, but seem like the inner cordura wants to migrate toward the spokes. (maybe I need to stuff em' fuller or place a small bungie horizontally to keep em cinched in tighter.) One bad thing is I can no longer mount a trunk rack ontop of the rack...due to the spanning material that crosses the rack holding the two bags together where the handle is.. (I'll probably slice 4 slots in the upper sides so I can get the velcro mounts of my trunk rack to slide under the upper portion of this pannier. Still looks like a tough mounting unless I grow a third hand to keep the Avenir bags up out of the way while I velcro my trunk rack side mounts through the (non authorized) newly made slits... Front and rear mounts of the trunk rack might take some thinkin'...since the Avenir also has 4 loop cinch type mounts 2 front , two rear.
But winging it should do the trick...after all if I break em...it's no great loss...I'll find some off label use.
However,
That's the nice thing about buying 2 separate panniers like most other more costly ones on the market....you can attach a trunk rack no problem. Or the ones that are two bags but with strapping from side to side and not a full hunk of material covering your entire rack. Still gives you a few places to slide side mounts for your trunk rack through...
Bad thing about this design you cant. Maybe I'll just toss this thing on the front rack instead since I rarely put anything over the top rack bit except going fully loaded.......Yeah...that's the ticket! It's a front pannier...lightly loaded with rain gear, cookies and milk..bungie cords and Ibuprofin.
Pros..... Dirt cheap. lots of reflective stuff. Cheap.
Con's ...tough to mount trunk rack. and if your rear rack has a (A) style bottom side attachment? Good luck with the bungie staying put.(it might,might not) It seems to like the horizontal bar mounts like the Bruce Gordon Style racks have. (although that rack cost 6 times as much as this pannier, freakin tank that it is..)
Enjoy the pannier....30 bucks doesn't buy much today...except the freedom to carry home 2 gallons of milk , some cookies and maybe a bottle or two of Monkey butt powder or cream.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Helpful, May 6, 2011
By james
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This bag is very helpful. It is large and we can do small grocery shopping with the bike and this bag. Very well made.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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If you don't like it, you're doing something wrong, April 18, 2011
By Bike Commuter
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I started biking recently and I've bought this item about a month and a half ago. I've carried books, clothes, groceries, food for the week, etc, and I haven't had any problems so far. Yes, I'm a new biker but I bought this saddle bag because a friend of mine highly recommend it. And, he's been using these bags for a couple of years now and even taken road trips on his bike with them. Before buying these bags I read the bad reviews of other people. Some said they didn't know what some of the hooks were for, and that they almost had accidents because of the bags. Of course, if you're not using the restraints correctly to attach the bags to your bike, you're going to end up having accidents no matter what brand of bags you buy. Just make sure you READ THE INSTRUCTIONS that come with the product and make sure you're using ALL the restraints. Don't leave any hook loose!!!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great for the city, April 14, 2011
By JAZO
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I use this pannier set all the time. I eat a lot of eggs, so I buy them in the 18-pack. If I fill one side to a few inches below the zipper, I can set the 18-pack flat on top and zip it closed. Also, the set is quite water resistant. Today, I was biking around in the rain for about half an hour, and all the contents were still bone dry. All in all great utility for a great price.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Awesome bags, but not waterproof, April 8, 2011
By Evonator
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I bought these bags 4 months ago and have been using them ever since. I am a tall guy, so I was a little concerned when I read all the reviews about people kicking the bags with the back of their heels while riding. However once I got the bags I realized that it wasn't that difficult for me to position the bags far enough back that this was not an issue, so I have no complaints there.
The bags themselves are really spacious, I needed these bags so I'd be able to carry a change of gym clothes and various items to and from work/the gym. For this purpose they are phenomenal, and the only downside to their ability to carry so much is that you start to weigh yourself down with all the extra things you start carrying, but that's not really a problem with the bags or a problem at all, really.
The bags have built in reflective fabric for added visibility at night, they attach to your bike through four straps which can be attached or detached in about 30 seconds once you get the hang of it, and the bags have a briefcase-style carry strap on top for when you decide to carry the bag with you. Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase, and if I were to have a friend who needed a similar bag I'd recommend they get this one.
However, there is one downside to these bags, and a reason this review is only 4 stars: they are not waterproof. At first glance they look like they would handle the rain pretty well, there are flaps that cover the zippers that prevent water from entering through the zipper, but after sitting out in the rain every pocket was filled about halfway with water. Don't store any important documents or electronics in these bags if you're going to leave them on your bike, or be sure to take the bag inside when you arrive at your destination.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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It holds a lot, March 6, 2011
By Michael (Trinity County)
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This is a life saver for car ring groceries on my converted ebike. Lots of room to bring back canned goods, bread, a quart of milk, the mail, and a few other things and still have the smaller compartments for inner tube patch kit and budgies. The only regret I have not buying one with top storage.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Smaller than I expected, November 6, 2010
By smooooooth
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I expected these to be bigger and sturdier for some reason. I can fit a hand basket full of groceries in it (gallon of milk, box of cereal, frozen pizza, other small items, so I guess thats about as much as I really expected it to do.
I got these to be able to fold up clothes and commute to work. They worked OK for casual Fridays, but I went ahead and got Nashbar garment panniers for commuting and started using these for groceries.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great for commuting, October 5, 2009
By dfal01 (chandler, az United States)
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I use the bags for my commute to work. There is plenty of room for my clothes and lunch. I haven't used it yet for groceries, but I think it will do fine. You have to have a bike rack that has slots on both of the short ends for you to thread the straps thru. I doubt it's waterproof but it would probably keep stuff dry in a light rain.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Very handy, September 18, 2009
By Discovering The Day (Boone, NC)
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If you need a commuting back at a decent price get this. I use mine everyday and it is holding up lovely. The only downside is there is no strap to make it a messenger bag, but it never hurts to fashion and customize your own.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Panneirs that where a pain-in-the-rear, July 14, 2011
By Review Guy (Mpls, MN)
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Flimsy and my feet hit the bags. Sent 'em back and got some Axiom bags that are 100% better. Not as cheap, but for me, another lesson in "you get what you pay for".
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Not near as structured and boxy as it shows in the pic, May 20, 2011
By Jesse
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The picture show that the pannier is very well structured and self supported. When u get it out of the packaging. Its only got 2 plates to keep the inside back of the bags straight so they wont interfere with the wheel. The rest will just sag. The material feels like it'll take some punishment and wear. Haven't mounted it on my bike yet. I'm still mounting my rear rack. I will update this review once I get it on my rear rack and have used this pannier. I recommend the Topeak Explorer rear rack that is sold here on amazon to go underneath this pannier to help support the sides of this pannier and to keep the sides of this away from the wheel.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Husband likes it, July 19, 2009
By Marshall (Saint Paul, MN)
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It seems like a good product for the price. My husband hasn't used it a lot yet, and not in the rain yet. He is happy with it.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Very nice item but not very durable as expected, December 6, 2011
By chepukha
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I've been using it for about 1 month already and really like this item consider its capacity and ease of use. I use it for daily commute to work and it can hold all my books and papers, my lunch box, and my jacket. So, I can release a big load of weight from my shoulder and back. It's quite easy and fast to put it on and take it off the rack. Despite some other users' comment, I see this pannier stays very secure and stable on my bike. The price is quite good in comparison to other panniers.
There is an issue with it though. Just 2 days ago, one of the pieces of metal that used to connect the robe holding the small hook that is used to connect to the bike got loose and so one of the hook is not usable. So, it's not really durable as I expected :( I can still use it but feel somehow very uncomfortable and a bit upset about the quality.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great Capacity Average Quality, September 16, 2010
By B. Jolley
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Great price, great capacity, and great simplicity.
Poor attachment features.
The hook attachment broke on one side in less than 2 weeks. It is also not possible to stand and sprint with these attached. They sway too much and end up hitting the rear wheel due to the insufficient attachment method. Might just be my bike and setup, but I doubt it.
I am going to have to spend the money and get a better bag so that I can ride my normal style.
Good for easy going riders.
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Good Choice for a Bicycle Commuter, September 3, 2010
By Glen
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I have never owned or used panniers before. I had always just strapped my bags directly to the bike rack, which made for a precarious and top-heavy situation. Now that my commute is 13 miles each way, I decided to use a legitimate bike cargo solution.
Pros: Plenty of room for laptop, books and a change of clothes
Fits very securely on my bike rack, top straps are very effective
Stable, low center of gravity
Does not impede pedaling, at least on my bike
Less than half the cost of anything I've seen in bike shops
Looks good on the bike
Cons: Straps for securing the bags to the sides of the bike are not very effective or secure
May flap in the breeze somewhat if not filled with cargo
The unknowns: I can't speak to the rainworthiness of the bags, but the material seems at the very least to be water-resistant.
I haven't used these long enough to speak to durability, but there are no obvious points on the bags where I anticipate any wear.
Bottom line: If you are looking for a set of panniers, this is probably one of the best price to quality ratios you will find. They work perfectly for me.
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Good bags, not as spacious as I'd imagined., August 22, 2010
By paulnptld
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Don't get me wrong. These are well built, and a good value. On the plus side, they are easy to attach and remove. Water resistance seems ok. I noticed first that my MacBook would only fit in this bag if it was upright. Any talk of 'two bags of groceries' should be with the understanding that they will be small bags indeed.
Still, for the price you can't go wrong.
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looks awesome, September 30, 2011
By cat girl (MA)
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Love the way it installed on my rack...have not ridden anywhere with it yet but will later today. This is exactly what I wanted, the size, etc...
So I rode with these yesterday. They are just the perfect size...don't hit my feet and sit perfectly on the rack I already had. They are great!
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Awesome!, September 27, 2011
By ThatGirl (Virginia)
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I purchased this item for my husband who has recently taken up bicycling w/ a vengeance. He insists on bicycling anywhere within a 5 mile radius if possible. So he needed a way to transport things from various stores he was pedaling to/from. It's great! It holds plenty and is very simple to attach/detach and has a handle for convenience. Perhaps the only thing that is missing is a shoulder strap. No complaints w/ this item! Recommended!
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Great panniers for the university commuter, September 24, 2011
By Kristine
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I bought a couple of these panniers for my husband and myself to make a 6 mile 1-way commute to the university where we work. We used to commute with backpacks/messenger bags, but we're sooo glad to have bought these panniers. They seriously take a huge load off our backs and prevent a large sweat stained spot where our backpack used to be. These have a semi-large main compartment and a smaller pocket on each side. Reflectors run all around the bag and on the rear. I have found the reflectors to be very effective and bright. I have a 13 inch macbook pro that I have to wiggle into the pannier's main compartment, and school binders have to be squeezed in, but it fits nonetheless. I throw in books, my laptop, binders, lunch, waterbottles, a pump, patch kit, combination lock, and tire levers in there. It's also perfect for a quick run to the grocery store. The bags can easily be unlooped and un-hooked to be taken into the store with you. I've had no problems with the hooks un-hooking during a ride, although I did have to adjust my feet so my heels wouldn't hit the bag.
Highly recommended.
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BPSmith, September 16, 2011
By BPSmith
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Great product! Plenty of room for all my books, and easily converts to a shoulder bag (no strap included) when I'm walking around campus. Fits the bike great without getting in the way of pedaling.
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Don't really regret it, but..., September 6, 2011
By MikeG.
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It is probable that someday I will want another set of panniers which are larger. The reality is that for the foreseeable future I will be riding around with these two bags each half filled at most. But sometimes I think that I would have been better off if I just got the larger version of these bags which Avenir offers or from whomever. I had envisioned them to be larger somehow.
The quality of the bags seems to be okay, nothing out of the ordinary. The zippers are fine. It doesn't seem to be necessary to use the hooks underneath to tie down the bags; the straps on top seem to do the trick. This makes it easier to take the bag off the bike in case you do not want it to be potentially stolen when you lock up and leave. I don't really regret buying it. No complaints. I am sure that I will be happy with them for years to come.
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Nice quality, protected zippers and crush proof with a reflective material strip., August 31, 2011
By fmdesmoines
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These are convenient, light weight come with a reflective material and two bags on both sides for all of you clothes and light gear. I will be using these on my next Ragbrai trip!
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Good for all uses, August 22, 2011
By Chrijeff (Scranton, PA)
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Though not as roomy as some saddlebags on the market, these should be adequate for most day-to-day purposes. Each pannier can handily hold two half-gallon drink cartons, a couple of standard ice-cream cartons, or any amount of smaller groceries, or an assortment of shrewdly packed school supplies or library books. You can also thread a piece of bunji cord through the top loop (intended as a handle in case you unship the panniers) and hang lightweight packages on either terminal hook, or tie them to the top of the bags. You will need a luggage carrier (the bags are designed to fit on most models). I have two major caveats: first, the process of fastening the stabilizng hooks to the underframe of your carrier is one of those jobs best done by a being with three hands and eyes on stalks (if you don't fit that description, get a friend to help); second, if there's rain in the forecast, be sure to zip the zippers closed as tight as you can, or you *will* get water in the bottom.
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worked great bike camping, August 16, 2011
By Kelly (Pacific Northwest)
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I bought this item for a bike camping trip around the San Juan islands in WA, and I'm happy to say it worked very well. This pannier has a lot of space, I could fit my (very very) small stove, camping pots, food, clothes and other small various items on the back of my bike instead of in a backpack that would have tormented my shoulders. It's very easy to attach and remove from the bike, which was nice when setting up camp or if you need to place your bike on a bus bike rack. I also used a bike bungee cargo net to strap my sleeping bag and tent poles onto the top of the panniers, which worked well and I never had anything fall off my bike, despite getting up to 30mph on downhills. For the price this item was very much worth buying, even if I don't use it again until the next bike camping adventure. I was so happy with it's ability to fit a lot of items that I got one for my dad as well. The only thing I am unsure of with this item is how it would fair in rainy weather. I didn't experience any rain on my trip, but just in case I had my clothes wrapped in a garbage bag inside and I could have used my tent rain fly and bungees as a poncho. Still very much worth the price!
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Not all too great, August 9, 2011
By Smootdot (California, USA)
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Bad
-Not Waterproof, water can leak into compartments through zipper.
-Not Mold Proof, mold growing due water pool inside the pannier.
-The attachment device is made out of plastic and cloth... not strong enough to hold heavy objects
-Easy to be stolen (easy installation = easy un-installation)
Good
-Carrying capacity is great, I can fit the 1 gallon jugs on each side.. too bad strap is not strong enough
-Zippers are actually quite durable
I've owned one for 1 year in Seattle, have second thoughts on it.
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Great product for light errands, July 27, 2011
By Squares
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This is great for shopping or commuting to work. It installed very easily and my feet do not hit the bag like many others have said. Check the pictures to see how much stuff you can fit in these little guys, it is quite suprising. For the money you can't beat these.
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decent bags, bad for road bikes!, July 24, 2011
By zimmo (palo alto, ca)
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These bags are huge and are of pretty good quality for the price. The only problem is that they do not fit well on road bikes - my heels hit the bags quite a bit when I ride, even with nothing in them. You can't move them back either, because they strap onto the front and back of the rack. I made some serious modifications to my rack (I have access to a machine shop...) in order to make these work. One other complaint is that there are no straps on the top for strapping stuff down. Seems like wasted space.
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Metro panniers, July 22, 2011
By lrportas
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Received the panniers when promised. Used them and they are spacious and easy to put on and take off. I would recommend them.
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Excellent, July 21, 2011
By leilei (Honolulu HI)
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I bought this one because I was looking for rack pack big enough to hold my work laptop (regular 15"). I haven't seen many around. This holds it with plenty of room to spare. I use it every day commuting to work. I really like the small pockets on each side, so I don't have to fish for keys or cell phone in the main compartments (as with my previous bag that had only the 2 main compartments). Yesterday I got rained on but everything was dry inside. It also has plenty of reflective material for high visibility on the street.
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Avenir Metro Panniers, July 14, 2011
By Tom D.
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Wow I came across the panniers as I was writing a review for another product I recently purchased so I thought I would go ahead at rate it too.
The funny thing is, we bought the panniers several years ago!
The good news is they are still in great condition and have served us well!
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Greauy!t b, June 23, 2011
By Joe
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I bought these to use on my Trek 7100 and am gald I did. I ride to work and have found the capacity of these to be perfect for the ride. I have put a pair of shoes in one side, size 13w and put other items such as towel, sweatshirt and other needed items.
They stap right to your rack, and have a handle sewn on to carry them with.
Clean up is simple, wet cloth and wipe away the dirt. I like the sewn on reflective material and highly recommend these to anyone looking for a set of panniers for around town use.
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black nylon panniers 1,380 cubic inch capacity, June 21, 2011
By P. Taylor (Lake Stevens, Wa. USA)
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i bought this for over the top of my 2 WALD rear folding baskets, it fits great on top and will prevent anything from falling out with the hook strap attaching to the lower outside basket. for grocery shopping this affords a little more room and with zippers nothing will be left on the road behind you on your way home from grocery shopping. In big cities this would give you safer transport of groceries with lower product visibility. I also used an aluminum rear rack which messed well with attachment points on this product. look for other reviews. :)
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Poorly shaped, October 26, 2011
By Derrick
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My heel hits the panniers on every pedal stroke. These are designed poorly. They are mounted to an Avenir XL rear rack so they should have been compatible. They are on an medium frame Pugsley (29er) so it's not like they are crammed on some tiny BMX bike. I would not recommend these and I will probably return them.
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Affordable and Functional...Not Water Proof, October 26, 2011
By Chris
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Overall, I am happy with the bags. They are very good sized, but not overwhelmingly big. It is quick and easy to put them on and take them off of my rack. The smaller side pockets are perfect for bike tools and my lights. My only complaint is that the bag is not waterproof. I think that I will try to get a waterproofing spray for canvas and see if that at least helps repel some of the water. I am not sure if there is a separate rain covering for this product, but that may be an option too.
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Great starting set, October 22, 2011
By MrSuave (Orlando, FL)
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These are great starting panniers, affordable and well made. But as other reviewers have mentioned, the bungees that clip to your rear rack break rather quickly- mine within the third week of having them, both because the straps tore from the metal clip/fastener that holds the ends together. And no, these are not completely waterproof! You will get some moisture inside. I suggest buying extra bungees with hooks (nothing fancy, small ones for bags will do) and a silicone based waterproofing spray if you ride in an area that gets a lot of rain.
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OK but won't fit a laptop, December 29, 2011
By Adam Schindler
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I got this because a reviewer said it fits a laptop. Maybe an ipad or netbook but not a standard laptop. The material is pretty cheap and I had trouble hooking it well to my bike, but I guess for the price you get a lot of storage.
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Thin material and strap broke easily, December 24, 2011
By J. LaBar (San Diego, CA)
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I got this because of the high review rating, but there are a few things that I did not like. First, the material seemed very thin and the zippers smallish. I was concerned about the long life of the zippers and material.
The straps that hold it to the bike rack are designed so that when you tighten them up, all the tension is put on the threads that hold the straps to the bag. When I applied moderate and necessary tension to tighten the straps, one of them ripped off relatively easily. There were 4 total, but if one rips off during my initial install, how long could the other 3 last?
I was using it on an eZip Trailz electric bike from Currie technology with Rack Mounted Batteries (RMB). There are bungees on the inside of the Panniers to hold the bottom to the rack. With the RMB's, the bungee did not have any place to hook to.
I ended up purchasing a Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DX with Side Panniers and so far I love it. It has easy to use velcro straps that seem sturdy and with the additional trunk bag for storage, plus the collapsible panniers have good space for jaunts to the store.
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Not bad, with some caveats, December 14, 2011
By niccig
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I've been using these for about four months on my daily commute. These bags are functional, but that's about the best I can say for them. None of the cons are deal-breakers IF you know about them in advance and can accept them.
Pros: They hold stuff.
They haven't broken yet, or fallen off.
They're water-resistant enough if you get caught in a drizzle (see cons).
The outer pockets are pretty convenient for holding small things that you want to access easily. I keep my toolkit and rain jacket in one and use the other for my wallet/sunglasses.
Cons: The biggest one is that they're a royal pain to get on and off. They're mainly attached to the rack with four straps and double-bar buckles (like you find on backpack straps), with bungee cords/hooks to attempt to limit them swaying around. If you want to pop these off easily while you run in the grocery store, this is the wrong product.
The fabric is water-resistant, but this doesn't mean waterproof. Riding in heavy rain or leaving the bike out in the rain for any length of time (such as while grocery shopping or during class/work) will leave you with a little pool of standing water in the main compartment. I've learned to keep a few used grocery bags in one of the outer compartments just in case, and always wrap stuff in trashbags if I know it's going to rain.
They're not quite big enough for my purposes, but I'm not a light traveler :-) For reference, I tend to pack a change of clothes, shoes, and my u-lock in one side, and laptop, notebooks, Kindle and air pump in the other. This is all fine, but there's usually not any room for groceries or random crap that I need to take back and forth from work.
I'm not sure if it's the shape of the panniers or the geometry of my bike or some combination thereof, but I haven't managed to attach these in a way that avoids heel strike.
Conclusion: These are my first panniers, and they're decent as a starter set. I wasn't sure if I'd be commuting consistently when I bought them, so I didn't want to buy something super expensive. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth from these, but I'm ready for something new.
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as advertised, December 11, 2011
By david patrick (sacramento, california, US)
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good fit,the only complaint is the hooks that hold the bags to the side are a little fragile other wise its good ,oh yeah the bags have held up great in the rain
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alright, but could be better, November 14, 2011
By indigo (Miami, FL)
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These do what they are advertised to do, but the biggest problem is the size (you would think that would be a plus. The problem is I have a large frame (about 22in) and when mounted the back of my feet (or flip-flops) hit the case when I'm riding. I have to adjust my feet as to not hit it but it's still annoying when you're going uphill or pedalling quickly.
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Saddle bags, November 8, 2011
By jimbo
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Great bags! fit right onto my bike rack. Easy put on and take off. More space than I had imagined. Gonna do wonders not using a backpack anymore!
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Worth the money, but not waterproof. FYI, January 24, 2012
By BikeManOregon
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This is a great value for the money. I recieved them fast, and intact. They are definitely NOT waterproof, and I didnt chance it as I live in Oregon. Rain, rain, rain. The day I recieved them the first thing I did was buy the Atsko waterproofing spray from Walmart for 5 bucks and I soaked them in it to make sure that they would hold up to the great rain. With that application I dried it with a blowdryer, and took them out to try them out. They were easy to install, and they dont hit my heels. It was actually half rain, and half snow, and it was coming down hard, I had no troubles getting some stuff from the store, and thats 4 miles away from my house.They did not leak with the silicone waterproofing spray.
I will be using these for college because I cannot store all of my books and workout clothes in my backpack. I plan on using them as a rudementary locker so I dont have to rent one.
And just in case, the dollar store had a pack of two large clothing storage ziplock style bags that fit just right, so if they do leak a little I wont have a puddle of textbooks in my bag.
Four stars cause I just didnt trust the waterproof integrity. But definitely a great value with a little TLC, and common sense.
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Not particularly durable, January 10, 2012
By Kronecker Delta
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These lasted me for about 6 months on my daily commute before they started to fall apart. The elastic snapped off, the zippers broke. These are probably fine for occasional use, but if you are looking to use them daily you might want to invest in something a little more durable.
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Worth the Money for a Smart Commuter, February 6, 2012
By Hail Eris! (Wisconsin)
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I recently picked up a winter junker on craigslist, as I commute year-round and was tired of struggling to stay upright on my hybrid roadish wheels. The frame is at least 20 years old, so is lacking in the standard modern attach points and precluded the remounting of my Trek Interchange rack and packs. I required capacity and frugality, so I paired these bags with the Avenir Cling-On Seatpost Racks (Black, QR Cling-On with Sides). I am quite happy, so far.
PROS:
~reasonably roomy (big enough for a trip to the co-op for a week's produce)
~relatively stable
~reflective strips are exceptionally bright
~just enough room around packs to attach a light (though they must needs scrunching)
~well clear of my heels (though that's due mostly to my heap's geometry + the rack)
~MOST IMPORTANTLY: can fit a 12-pack of "soda" (takes a bit of wiggling)
CONS:
~not quite big enough for a week's groceries
~the front corners, when the bag's not full, hang inward past the rack and sometimes drag on the rubber and spokes
~handle is mostly vestigial, as the 4 straps and hooked bungees (very necessary, if you're as bad a rider as I) make it impractical to remove on a whim.
I am well satisfied with these saddlebags. I don't need luxury, as it's enough for me to not pay for fuel, even though it's winter. These packs, paired with the seatpost rack, suit my current needs wonderfully. I'm not sure that I'd take these for more than a commute, if only for the rubbing, but they are SO much better than wearing a backpack! (see other reviews)
BOTTOMLINES:
~If you _know_ that you need volume, uberstability, or quick on/off, waste your money on something else.
~If you're a real human, these are killer; and inexpensive enough that you won't mind if someone swipes them.
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Cheap! (In Both Good and Bad Senses), February 6, 2012
By Tahir J. Naim (California, USA)
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I put these on my bike just a few days ago. Today was the first day I rode with them and they are ruined. The shock cord and hooks that hold one of the panniers against the rack support were torn apart when the tension went slack over a bump, the hook unhooked and the shockcord and hooks went into the spokes! Since these bags are a single unit and dependent on each other to stay on the rack I can't just remove the ruined one. I'm going to see if it's worthwhile to get my money back (not holding my breath).
Another design flaw is that the bags are rectangles rather than being angled on the pedal-side to permit one's heel to freely swing round while pedaling. That's basic design that my ancient Cannondales used. Obviously, I could see these did not have that shape, but I thought they were designed to sit further back on the rack. Not so!
As someone else wrote, the material is passable and the reflective tape looks good. They are low in price and they don't require a special rack to use. They should use a better quality of stiffener inside the bag and give better thought to the mounting method and especially to leaving room for pedaling.
I like to think of myself as frugal and practical, but this time I was just cheap! Let the buyer beware!
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Love it!, May 26, 2012
By Barry M. Murphy
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These panniers fit well on a standard bike rack and are attractive and functional. They can hold a ton of stuff and the reflective stripes actually give me a bit of piece of mind while riding at night.
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Ultimate Bags, May 11, 2012
By Kulakai
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Bags are very useful with plenty of space for large items.
I would highly recommend these bags to family and friends,
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Great value, and a great compliment to my other Avenir gear!, May 4, 2012
By Tally (Stuart, FL)
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Bought a bike for commuting to work, and the snazzy panniers at the shop were $99. Being the savvy Amazon shopper that I am, I checked online for something comparable to what I saw. I must admit, I had a hard time deciding between this set and the larger one for $2 more. I went with the smaller one because I figured if 2 gallons of milk could fit in one side, that was more than enough for my clothes and shoes. It holds my Avenir U-lock on the other side, along with tools and supplies.
I was right. This set of panniers looks smaller than I thought it would be, and holds a whole lot. It's made well, and as far as waterproofing, I might spray it with some waterproofing spray down the road... just in case.
If you're like me, and are looking for something quality, affordable, and able to hold clothes, shoes, and the occasional round of groceries, this isn't a bad product at all.
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OK, I guess, May 2, 2012
By Barnhall
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Not had it long enough to see if it stands up. It did attach quite easily to bike. So far so good.
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great product, April 25, 2012
By not abl to get in my garage door remotely
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when i began on a healthier diet, it was impossible to ride my bike to work bcz of the stuff i eat and drink: a 1/2 gal. ball jar of water with green powder, quart size ball jar of smoothie and assorted food items: grapefruit, coconut,etc. It fits all in the saddle bags! Now i can ride AND eat healthy. No sweaty back for me-i even fit my backpack in there!
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Cheap, and it shows., March 15, 2012
By timr688
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As others have stated, these things will hold a ton of stuff. But they are poorly supported and that is their ultimate downfall. I too had the bungee hooks come loose and get tangled around my rear hub. It took me thirty minutes to free the rear wheel. The bags also tend to rub on the tire or the spokes, which not only quickly becomes irritating, but eventually wears holes in the material.
I threw mine away. I should have spent more money on real paniers.
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Not all too great, August 9, 2011
By Smootdot (California, USA)
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Bad
-Not Waterproof, water can leak into compartments through zipper.
-Not Mold Proof, mold growing due water pool inside the pannier.
-The attachment device is made out of plastic and cloth... not strong enough to hold heavy objects
-Easy to be stolen (easy installation = easy un-installation)
Good
-Carrying capacity is great, I can fit the 1 gallon jugs on each side.. too bad strap is not strong enough
-Zippers are actually quite durable
I've owned one for 1 year in Seattle, have second thoughts on it.
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