Foghat
Freight-train-groove-rider
I had a spending spree at Arkel in the recent Black Friday event - when there was 15% off everything. Arkel seems to do this discounting each year now, and without it the pricing would be even more painful.
Anyway, a nice set of GT-54 panniers was in the consignment, and whilst I haven't used them yet, they seem pretty robust, well made and well/innovatively designed, with seemingly good, strong zips. I always like to buy high quality items for cycling matters, and these certainly seem to fit the bill at this (untested) stage.
There are various discussions on other forums on GT-54 panniers, some focusing on their relative merits compared with Ortliebs. My conclusions from reading these are that one is likely to prefer Arkel GT-54s if some or all of the following criteria are important to you:
If the organising, lack-of-welded-seam, and metal-hook aspects above aren't important to you, the Ortliebs are probably a better-value option, as they are a lot cheaper, and many people use and recommend them.
If the factors listed are important, well the Arkels will very likely provide what you need if you're prepared to stump up the cash.
At this point, not yet having actually used them, I'm very pleased with the purchase.....but only time will tell if I might have been better off with something else.
Anyway, a nice set of GT-54 panniers was in the consignment, and whilst I haven't used them yet, they seem pretty robust, well made and well/innovatively designed, with seemingly good, strong zips. I always like to buy high quality items for cycling matters, and these certainly seem to fit the bill at this (untested) stage.
There are various discussions on other forums on GT-54 panniers, some focusing on their relative merits compared with Ortliebs. My conclusions from reading these are that one is likely to prefer Arkel GT-54s if some or all of the following criteria are important to you:
- You prefer to organise your gear in an easily accessible and logical way, using the options afforded by having several separate pockets (which are pretty well-conceived and strategically located) - rather than have to rely solely on multiple stuff-sacks for organisation in a single-compartment pannier
- You like to be able to access the main compartment from more angles than just through a narrowish top opening
- You aren't obsessed with having fully sealed bags with welded seams etc - and are of the opinion that these aren't particularly desirable anyway as they don't allow wet gear inside to breathe, and can become susceptible to water ingress anyway if you scuff them badly
- You want a more robust attachment system than Ortliebs provide, with metal hooks (which are plastic-lined to protect racks)
- You need good capacity - they are pretty big, even without the (detachable) tube pocket
- You like to have and use high quality equipment
If the organising, lack-of-welded-seam, and metal-hook aspects above aren't important to you, the Ortliebs are probably a better-value option, as they are a lot cheaper, and many people use and recommend them.
If the factors listed are important, well the Arkels will very likely provide what you need if you're prepared to stump up the cash.
At this point, not yet having actually used them, I'm very pleased with the purchase.....but only time will tell if I might have been better off with something else.
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