Yesterday I brought home a pair of Ortlieb front panniers from Rito's Stay Tuned. Sport-roller Classic. Total damage is Rs 9,600. The India importers are Ensign Sports. They are red in colour and come with a combined capacity of 25 litres, which is relatively small compared to my 40 litre classics that are strapped to the rear rack. These red ones are to go with my Tubus Duo rack in the front. They are particularly useful for the hills where their low slung nature helps in climbs. I believe they can be also mounted on the rear rack. I am yet to take them out of the box. I know what they are and am happy that they are nicely packed in the box. I will take them out only when I need to go somewhere and use them.
I have a pair of large back-roller classics in black because when I bought them a few years ago nothing else was available. So, if I mount all the four bags it might look a bit odd. But then who cares about looks?
These panniers are very robust and are 100 per cent water proof with a roll-top closure. They are made in Germany. No compromise on quality. The beauty about them, apart from being waterproofing, is the clipping system. It takes a second to clip them on and another to take out. Literally no sweat.
In the hills it is easier if the weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear. I shall see how the weight distribution works for me. When I went to Darjeeling I had everything in a plastic carry bag strapped to the rear rack. Now, I am better organised in terms of load carrying options.
The only downside to all this robustness is that they weigh quite a considerable amount.
All these purchases are in anticipation of my retirement when hopefully I shall be able to go out on long cycling holidays after September 22.
The model name is not mentioned anywhere on the packaging except on the label where the model code number is mentioned as F6302 and the name as Sport-Roller Classic.
Earlier while riding in the city I used to strap one of the black bags on the rear to carry a waterproof and a bicycle pump. Of late I have started ignoring them because puncture with the Schwalbe tyres that I have is very unlikely. I guess, I should restart the good practice once again.
I had bought a Tubus Duo from Happy Earth few months ago. But I found it difficult to install. The other day, emboldened by a post on facebook, I tried and realised that I can quite fit it. That is when I ordered the panniers.
