Rambler Baggage Panniers Evaluate – BIKEPACKING.com

compose Miles Arbour
time Apr 27, 2023
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For our first trans-Pacific bikepacking journey, Emily and I made a decision to complicate issues additional by using bikes we have now by no means seen in particular person. We flew into Sydney, laid eyes on our rigs, and packed up every thing we’d want for the following six weeks in just some hours earlier than heading out for our first day of using. “Hectic” could be an understatement for that afternoon.

With out having a good suggestion of tire clearance for luggage and kit, we opted to put in an Outdated Man Mountain Divide rack on the again finish of Emily’s bike. When clearance is restricted, racks save the day. Utilizing a rear rack additionally meant Emily might convey some small panniers alongside for the experience since we had been packing for all types of climate when heading into autumn right here in Australia. We’ve had a number of rain, some chilly nights, and every thing in between. We’ve been grateful to have sufficient layers and kit to be snug via all of it.

I had been chatting with Kuba, the founder and proprietor of Rambler Baggage in Pennsylvania, about getting our palms on a few of their luggage to evaluate for some time, and we fortunately made it occur for the Australia journey. I think about the Rambler Baggage Panniers to be small panniers reasonably than micro or mini panniers as they’re in all probability nearer in measurement to a set of conventional entrance panniers. They’ve a slim rectangular profile that’s designed to be spacious as attainable with out being too cumbersome. They’ve a big major pocket with a flap-style opening and side-release buckle closure and exterior elastic “pockets” for lashing gear to. The rack aspect of the pannier has a replaceable plastic stiffener to supply rigidity and form. The inverted webbing V-strap lifts the burden of the bag from the underside, and the higher attachment makes use of a hardwood dowel, Voile strap, decrease bungee/hook, and a webbing strap for a safe and versatile setup.

We’ve been testing the panniers constituted of a coyote ECOPAK EPLX400 X-Pac with a high-vis orange nylon liner cloth. Since they’re made to order, you could have your selection of cloth color, and so they may also be constituted of #8 duck canvas. The panniers aren’t 100% waterproof, however they’re extremely weather-resistant attributable to their cloth decisions and building. The seams are all completed with seam tape and the flap closure does an satisfactory job at retaining the weather out. On first impression, the Rambler Panniers appear solidly constructed and are fairly pleasing to the eyes, though they really feel barely heavier than different small panniers I’ve used.

Set up is as easy because it will get. The 2 higher Voile Nano Straps loop beneath the hardwood dowel and across the rack. For racks with decrease hook mounts, Rambler features a bungee/hook for the decrease attachment, in addition to a webbing buckle. For the reason that Outdated Man Mountain Divide works with each, we’ve been utilizing each, which makes for a strong setup with just some very minimal wobble on tough terrain. My solely grievance is that there isn’t a lot extra room behind the dowel, making getting the Voile strap looped beneath slightly finicky at first. As soon as they’re put in, they keep put, however for anybody who’s swapping straps between luggage typically, I’d recommend letting them dwell on the baggage. The decrease webbing strap is a pleasant contact, making the panniers suitable with nearly each kind of rear rack on the market.

The huge opening and flap closure are considerably distinctive amongst trendy panniers. Since Emily has spent extra time loading and unloading them, I requested her what she thinks concerning the design and had this to say: “It’s useful for packing and is straightforward to open, taking simply seconds to open up. The cinch closure is practical and tightens the load successfully, however the design requires me to get off my bike to seize the strap (which falls down beneath the pannier) to shut them. It nearly appears the flap isn’t fairly sufficiently big for the generously sized opening. When the panniers are packed full, there isn’t a lot overlap on the opening. It’s been vital to manually fold within the sides earlier than cinching the highest down, and I’m joyful to have my clothes and sleeping gear stashed safely inside a plastic bag to maintain the climate out.”

For drier climates and shorter bikepacking journeys, the design works effectively. Nonetheless, Emily and I each agree that we’d wish to see a cinchable drawstring closure/liner of some kind to assist preserve the contents clear and dry with out sacrificing the scale of opening. Whereas the panniers aren’t waterproof, they held up effectively in among the severely moist climate we’ve had in Australia over the previous few weeks. There was solely a small quantity of ingress on the underside of the baggage, which is why Emily launched a plastic bag to maintain her sleeping bag and clothes dry. The elastic “pockets” on the edges of the panniers have a traditional look to them, however I can’t think about storing or stashing something there with out worrying about one thing getting caught up within the wheel.

Though the bottom of the pannier, full with bungees and webbing straps, is slightly busier than others, it does its job effectively. When all strapped in, there may be little or no motion or bouncing round. We simply completed up a run down the Munda Biddi Path in Western Australia and I’ve spent my justifiable share of time staring on the panniers from behind Emily. The are strong. I feel the picket dowel, V-strap design, and numerous straps contribute quite a bit to this.

• Capability: 8.5L per pannier
• Materials (as examined): Coyote ECOPAK EPLX400
• Weight: 226 grams (8oz)
• Place of Manufacture: Pennsylvania, USA
• Worth: $335 USD per set
• Producer’s Particulars: RamblerBags.com

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