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Panniers for Raven Sport Tour - Carradice or Ortleib

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j22jbl:
Hi
I am looking for feedback before I buy a new set of panniers. Looking for front, rear and with a bar bag. Not too concerned if the bar bag is same make as the front & rear.
It has been suggested that the Carradice Super C may be too big for the rear - I have not seen a pair in the flesh so I can't comment. What is your experience?
Carradice appeal to me because of their traditional outlook. I spotted some Ortleib complete with pockets on the side, but these were retailing for £150, is that good value?
I want something that will last, be reasonably water proof (I always pack in plastic bags anyway), have good supply of spare parts and not stand as as being brash! for the bar bag, something to take a pocket camera, pasport, tickets etc. It doesn't need to be vast, and should ideally serve as a bum bag when off the bike.
Thanks in advance for your feedback, I am a little overwhelmed by the choice!
John

Joatamon:
You do have to be a bit careful with loading up the RST because of the short chain stays.  I've ridden mine with rear panniers only and it can be very light headed.  With four panniers it is more at ease.  I've toured with over 20kg distributed load and mostly it's fine though occasionally I do experience what I presume is frame flex, maybe riding through  a small pothole or something like that.  I don’t let it run away on downhills either.

I have the set of Ortlieb Front Roller and Back Roller Plus panniers on Tubus racks.  The rears are modestly sized compared to some (Carradice?) so that limits the load anyway.  I really like them,  I like the way that you can roll the closure down so the pannier is always bulked out even when it's only partly filled.  It only takes seconds to close them up once you've got the hang of it.

My Ortliebs don't have external pockets as standard, but they can be added.  They fit at the rear, though, so not ideal from a balance point of view.  I do like the look of the new model  Vaude Aqua Back Plusses which have a side pocket.

Bar bags - I have the Carradice Carradry which is plenty big enough for my small slr and a lens, plus other valuables.  Fully waterproof.  Well made and so far it's kept its shape.  The map pocket is far too small, near useless.  Off the bike I have to sling it across my shoulder, it's too big as a bum bag.

Bowland Rider:
Hi, Im just in the process of buying panniers myself and i've opted for the Vaude aqua roller panniers instead of the Ortliebs, because:
1.  They have a roll closure which clips into the sides of the pannier.  I believe that the Ortlieb roller panniers have clips which clip into the shoulder straps which then hook around a hook thingy at the bottom of the pannier.  Basically the Vaude's are easier to open and close up. 
2. The Vaudes hold slightly more, 48 litres the pair i think.  Handy for bulky items.
3.  The fixings for the Orlieb go directly into the back of the panner whereas the Vaudes have a rigid plastic back which, i think, will be more robust than the Ortliebs.

I researched this subject to death before opting for the Vaudes.  The cheapest i've found them online is £90/pair. 

Joatamon:
Yeah, I've seen those pictures of Ortlieb panniers with the strap looped through that hook at the base of the pannier.  I've never done mine up like that.  I don't bother with the shoulder strap at all, I roll them up tightly (Ortlieb say 3 folds minimum I think for water-tightness) then I clip the two loose ends into each other, over the top of the bag.  Always done it like that, I thought it was the correct way and they've always been waterproof.  Whether it's the right way or not it only takes a moment to do, in fact, because there's only one central clip to deal with it's probably quicker than the Vaude way which I presume has a clip at each side.

j22jbl:
Thank you for the feedback. I will take a closer look at the Ortleib.

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