Deuter Rack Pack Uni Pannier - 2300cu in - Pair Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My bike is used primarily for commuting, which implies carrying around clothes and office equipment (among them an enormous portable workstation). Thus, my Deuter bags are subject to a lot of abuse and have so far done remarkably well. I'd rate their positive and negative points as follows:
Advantages
- Impeccable quality. I haven't found one misplaced stitch or one left over burr anywhere.
- Good design. Bags are fairly large but manage to be unobstrusive at the same time, partially due to their ovoid shapes. Also, they close snuggly around various cargo shapes thanks to a clever noose/elastic combination. Bags hold well against the bike's structure and don't bounce around, even while carrying heavy/awkward loads.
- Strong structure. Steel hooks, rigid back, strong fabric give the assembly a rugged countenance. I'm an abusive owner, so appreciate this very much.
- Easy installation. On a standard rack, just latch the bottom hook, pull up the bag and latch the top hooks and voilà. You're set.
Disadvantages (none of which is serious, in my view)
- In areas prone to theft of bike parts, packs might be vulnerable to the opportunistic thief unless you're willing to haul around two rather large bags whenever you leave your bike. My cheap and simple solution? Bind the bags to my bike using nylon straps, which unfortunately makes them a permanent feature of my bike. If you have a better way, let me know!
- Not optimized for constant loading/unloading. Lid operation requires several movements involving latches/nooses and fittings that make operation a little onerous for those in a hurry. If you happen to need constant and fast access to your cargo, consider buying a shopping rack pack instead, which has the additional advantage of being easily taken off the bike and hauled around. I have one too and love it.
- Lid straps aren't good for oversize loads. The aforementioned workstation could travel with the lid (barely) closed above it, but the straps don't have the required lengthening capacity for this.
Unknowns
- I live in Arizona and don't know how well they'll fare during their first summer, when the sun can be fierce. My last (cheap) panier bags disintegrated under its glare. I hope these do better, but don't know yet. Will be able to tell you in about two or three summers.

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