Replacing my panniers? M-Wave to... What?

[jhawk]

Hi all,

I've had these M-Wave panniers for a while now, and while they're great for commuting and shopping trips and stuff like that, I don't know how they'd fare on a cross-country (or any substantial-length tour).

A few things. Are they spacious? Yes. But not awfully - if I were to take the camping stove I have at the minute, big though it is and in a hard-case, then that's one rear-pannier filled. I have three (two front, two rear) others with which to fill my stuff. But I'm just concerned that I'll either over-fill them, or simply won't have the room I need to pack my stuff for tours.

Are they waterproof? Yes. I've tested this, very much waterproof.

That said, I'd probably be willing to replace them with something else.

Has anyone else had any experience with M-Wave panniers? Ever used them when it comes to touring?

In terms of replacements, I've heard great things about Arkel and Ortlieb panniers... What does everyone recommend?

Thanks,

Jack.

 

[Gez73]

Ortlieb appear to be the most regarded panniers you can get. I use Altura ones but only to get stuff to work once a week and home again. I'd be happy to tour with my Altura ones. Not had any experience of Arkel or heard any reviews. As long as they are waterproof and will safely carry your stuff any sort will probably be okay.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-dryl...m_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360435013

 

[CafGriff]

Hey Canada! I'm planning to do LEJoG's next year and at present I'm seriously thinking of the Ortleib panniers ... I have also looked at the prices of the lesser popular makes of panniers and again thinking about getting the cheaper makes and making them waterproof with 'builders plastic bags' obtained from builders merchants.
I'm still looking into various makes.

 

[lpretro1]

Carradice are good value for money and will last years - but not fully water proof - just add a liner. Ortleib are waterproof but expensive and a bit fiddly to fit on a rack.

 

[slowmotion]

I've had a pair of Ortlieb Back Roller Classics for four years. They look a bit retro but they are as tough as old boots and completely waterproof. They take about three seconds to clip on and off the rack. They cost a bit, but what's the point of a pannier that's "almost" waterproof? I'm a huge fan.

 

[P.H]

Ortliebs are great, but they're all just bags to put stuff in. If you're current panniers are usable, I'd put new ones at the bottom of the shopping list till I had everything else. I'd probably start with a cooker that didn't take up a whole pannier.

 

[andym]

I wouldn't junk the panniers without at least giving them a proper trial.

M-Wave do different panniers. The one's I've seen (on the back of the bikes of some Dutch touring cyclists) looked fine to me. (BTW - If you want people to comment on the suitability of products, then photos are a good idea).

It would also be worth comparing the size of the panniers you already have with others on the market. They are pretty much all in the range of 44l to 48l for a pair - so getting a new pair might not give you much more space, or none at all.

If you don't know whether they are big enough for your stuff then do a trial pack - or even take them out on a short weekend trip, a day-ride.

Your camping stove sounds unsuitable for cycle camping (a hard case sounds like something you can definitely do without) -I'd put a small stove - eg MSR Pocket Rocket, Optimus Crux at the top of your shopping list.

 

[Ticktockmy]

I have read mixed reviews regarding the M-Wave Panniers, seemly they are ok for Shopping and short tours, but it seem on long haul use, the stitching fails. Not knowing what sort of touring you intend to do, you cannot go wrong on buying Ortleib panniers. For myself I use Altura Dryline 56 Panniers on the rear and Altura Dryline 32 Panniers on the front. I have toured with them through South East Asia and Africa, and have found them hard wearing and waterproof. But if I was buying now i think I would purchase Ortleib panniers. As to cooking stoves for lightness the MRS Pocket Rocket or the Coleman's F1 are great but do have some stability problems, I personally use a Hi Gear Intensity Gas Stove which is lightweight, folds down to a small size and sits low to the ground so is very stable on uneven ground.

 

[Redmountduo]

Altura dryline have been very good for us.
Been through some horendous weather with them and never had any leakage.
Well recommended

 

[bikepacker]

Ortleib are waterproof but expensive and a bit fiddly to fit on a rack.

Perhaps others that contribute to this rumour have used Ortliebs far longer than me. My experience of them only goes back to 2001 and only done at least 8 weeks touring with them each year. Having done test runs on every other popular make, I find the QL2 fastening system on the Ortlieb plus panniers to be far and away the best and easiest to get on and off the bike.

 

[andym]

I have read mixed reviews regarding the M-Wave Panniers, seemly they are ok for Shopping and short tours, but it seem on long haul use, the stitching fails.

M-wave seem to make a very wide range of panniers ranging from these



to these



I suspect the OP has the first type which do seem a bit on the cheap and cheerful side (but perfectly serviceable for a short tour ), while the others seem very suitable for touring and at £56 for a pair from Amazon seem pretty good value.

The comments about the stitching seem to be about the first type.

 

[jhawk]

M-wave seem to make a very wide range of panniers ranging from these

View attachment 31467

to these

View attachment 31468

the latter are maybe a bit on the cheap and cheerful side (but perfectly serviceable), while the others seem very suitable for touring.

The comments about the stitching seem to be about the first type.

And when it comes to the attachment system - Rixen-Kaul are better than either Ortlieb or Vaude.

I have the latter type of panniers, they work well. I guess I'll just have to test them out and see for myself. As you say, I've found the attachment system to be far easier to use, and offering more options; nonetheless, I'll give them a test run in the Spring and see how they perform.

 

[andym]

I'd assumed the at MWave were a Dutch firm - but on second thought are they Canadian? (this would explain the Canadian names).

On the subject of Canadian brands, I've been pondering buying some Tempest panniers from Axiom. IME Rixen Kaul clips are better than the Ortleib or Vaude alternatives. I'm not sure about the bungee cord doobrie though - I can see it would offer more security but looks like a lot more faff to get on and off.

As you say, I've found the attachment system to be far easier to use, and offering more options...

I'm curious about what the attachment system is. Is it the same as the one used by Axiom?

ie like these:

 

[jhawk]

M-Wave, by all accounts are either Dutch, Swiss, or German, as their main website that I can find is in German.

They do have a Canadian range of products, though; Here are some pictures of my attachment system:

The bottom part:

And the top...

 

[Crankarm]

We seem to entering another pannier war.

Can I recommend the Vaude Aqua range, similar to Ortlieb but far far better imho i.e. the hooks don't fall apart or break or the bags bend. I say this as I have both. The Vaude Aquas have tough re-enforced back plates which makes them extremely robust.

I also know of another brand that are possibly pretty good - Arkel, but only available in North America / Canada. I was reading this guys blog on CGOAB.com and they seem extremely robust

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=7894&v=1eY

This thread on Ortlieb Panniers on CGOAB is very informative

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/reviews/board/message/?nested=0&o=1&thread_id=38352&v=1y

There are many CGOABers who use Ortlieb panniers and many have put them through pretty extreme conditions probably much more so than your average tourer or commuter in the UK so no wonder a few of the panniers fail or fall apart.

HTH.