First off I would like to say that I have been a faithful Wolfman Expedition Dry pannier bag user for 2 years now and love them. They have been reliable, waterproof and sit on the bike very nicely. Infact, in my experience, I would suggest they have the best mounting system for any soft pannier (but I don’t know that many…).
Anyway, for our upcoming cross the country ride, we have a couple of long stretches where fuel is required to be carried. I have looked at all the options available but kept coming back to the old keep it simple, stupid, approach which is just carry it in jerry cans. Old mate travel buddy is running the Wolfman and rotopax option but my pannier racks sit out that inch wider, so was all for keeping the weight low and in tight.
So I purchased a set of Andy Strapz bags. I really like the look of them on the bike and they have the size to fit a 10lt plastic fuel container in each side. As clothes and all the light stuff is in my top bag, waterproofing is not a big issue for my panniers.
What did concern me, especially after being a Wolfman user for so long, was how loose the bags were on the frames. I did all of the fit instructions, used additional Long Strapz etc… and sure they were secure, but not to the degree I was happy with, especially with 10lt of fuel in each side for some parts (believe me, as soon as there is room in my tank, the jerry cans will be emptied).
So, this is what I did, and Andy (if you read this) I really recommend it as an option at least, particularly for those that don’t have your racks):
I had 25mm webbing sewed around the front and sides of the panniers, looping back to join in the front. This was done by my local boot maker and, unfortunately cost me $80… The job was ok, but Andy, if you want to make up a set in your factory, I will happily test them out over 6,800km… I put in 2x 25mm side release buckles and route the tails through my frames, around the bags and they meet up on the front of the bags. This really pulls the bags into the bike and alleviates the stress on the tethers that cross over the bike. I felt this was really important as, to be honest, I am over loading them as per Andy’s loading instructions.
This setup is now just like my Wolfmans – rock solid.
I also put one strap, for good measure, from the bottom of the frame, under the bag and attaché to the bike at the top, pulling the top of the bag in really tight again. The result is that the bag doe not move at all and I have gone from prospectively putting them on eBay to really happy with them.
[attachment=3282]andystrapz.JPG[/attachment]
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Apologies that the photos don’t really do justice, but I can assure you that my Andy Strapz don’t move and I can now pack my bike exactly as I wanted.
Again, be a good factory option.
Edit: Sorry, don’t know why the photos are on their side or upside down… tired to fix and came up stumps… also, that bag has a 10lt jerry can, self inflating mattress and my wet weather inserts in it. Could get more in but would lose a closure roll and I am thinking it may help dust find its way in…
