I have this rack installed on my gravel bike and opted to get two 20L Sea To Summit bags which were roomier and on sale. Recently went on RAGBRAI with it and I got several compliments on my setup. Several riders were curious since they've never seen or heard of this rack before and even took pictures of it. Yes, it's expensive than the traditional rack but well worth the money.
12L seems so tiny! My solution: get an Old Man Mountain rack. Designed for full suspension, load is carried through a solid replacement axle. Makes brilliant sense as weight rides where it is designed. And the Ortlieb panniers literally lock onto rack. Perfect for camping, shopping or commuting. Each bag is 40L. Perfect!
I look at the rack on the website. Interesting. But 40 liters of panniers each is too much for me. I don't have so much stuff. Unless I can put my wife there. 😉
Have tried both bike packing bags and panniers, but found panniers worked best for me. Could never get a bag able to fit my laptop! (mainly a commuter) Got a Merida gravel bike as well, but it didn't have enough suitable mounting points for a pannier rack. Had to get another seat post clamp, which had mounting points/threads, which then allowed me to fit a rack. Never heard of Aeroe before, but New Zealand gear is usually top quality!
This is weird. Merida designed the back rack specifically for the Silex. It may not be the right one for you, but I’m glad you found the optimal solution for yourself.
I haven't tried it on carbon myself, but the manufacturer says it’s possible. Just be sure not to overload it beyond the manual's recommendations, and carefully follow the fastening torque guidelines (4 Nm)
Very fancy Lots of little bits of luggage. See, I use two rear panniers and a backpack. Because I don't have to leave anything on the bike when I chain it up. Going shopping is simple, getting on to trains is simple No front panniers because I don't have four hands Sure, if I was Avalokiteshvara then I could carry all those little bits at once, but I don't have 1,000 arms So I'll stick with the panniers thanks
PS Design a system that somehow zips all the bits into a comfortable backpack, and you may have a gap in the market Although I still wouldn't be convinced
I don't plan on taking these bags off when I stop. We are talking about short stops only. Yes, it's not safe. But then it’s not safe to leave the bike at all. For valuables I use a handlebar bag. And it includes a compact shopping backpack. This bag I take any getting off the bike.
Bike packing dry bags are morphing into panniers. My question is: Are you doing dry bags for the look or because you think panniers look old fashion? There is an old saying going all the way back to the Romans. The best way is the simplest way. Cramming all your gear into tubes is not the simplest way.
My personal opinion is the look and quality of the bags. Where and how they are attached. Same place as regular panniers. But not a panniers. Sure, it is a matter of preference for each cyclist. But we have an alternative and that’s great.
Most Panniers rattle around, so are a pain in the ass to use offroad. So these make sense if you want a silent solution for various bikes if you don’t need THAT much space.
It’s all a matter of prefference in the end but you say that with panniers the bike looks like a loaded donkey… I think your current set-up now looks like a loaded donkey 1:42 . 😅 great videos and work so far on growing the channel, I am enjoying it!
I agree. These bags make me think of jet engines on the back, increasing the lifting force. Thanks for your feedback and support. I'm trying to do my best.
