Velobici Pannier Rear Rack & Panniers Bicycle Bags Set 100% WaterProof Disc Brake 700c 26" Road MTB Hybrid

Velobici pannier and rack

By: Glen Martin on 12 October 2018

My wife and I recently bought 2 sets of these panniers and racks for our 2 children to do the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (there and back self supported) with us. My wife and I were keen to introduce our children to cycle touring but we didn't want to spend a fortune on panniers as we weren't sure cycle touring would be a hit but at the same time we wanted panniers that would at least stand up to the BVRT. Shopping around these panniers and racks looked like they might fit the bill but given their price in relation to other panniers I was a little doubtful that they would be any good even though the pictures looked like they would be. Any way I splashed out on them and to my surprise the panniers and racks were excellent. I think we gave the panniers a good work out/test. The BVRT is quite rocky and bumpy over considerable sections and we needed to carry quite a bit of gear as we spent about 6 days doing the trail there and back. I think the panniers are excellent value for money, being as good if not better than other much more expensive panniers. They are made of sturdy but light weight material and are waterproof. On the BVRT we got caught in a heavy storm and all the gear inside the panniers was dry unlike in my and my wife's panniers which are of a different brand and quite old (although they were never particularly waterproof). The panniers are a good size for touring. I thought they might be a one time only use but they are far from that and we will be using them well into the future. I would be confident to use them on much longer and tougher tours. The only real faults I can find with the panniers is the top hooks are a little brittle. My daughter broke one of them by clipping a stationary object while riding. We were able to fasten the pannier by alternative means at that hook. While hitting the object was due to be unaccustomed to riding with panniers I have also over the years hit on numerous occasions stationary objects and not broken any hooks. Comparing the hooks to my and my wife' panniers and others they are probably a little brittle. Having said that none of the other hooks broke despite also hitting stationary objects, minor crashes and being dropped while still on the bike. I think just a little extra care is needed in relation to the hooks. Also, although it didn't matter because we bought the racks with the panniers, the panniers didn't fit onto my wife's rack. If you are buying just the panniers to fit onto your existing rack you might want to check this. (they fitted onto my Tubus rack no problems). The rack was also good and more than did the job. The only real fault with the rack is that the top bolts for the rack stick out and hinder clipping on the pannier and rub on the pannier. This could be easily fixed by using cup head bolts. I also think it is worth mentioning the follow up service provided by Le Tour and their staff. On returning from our trip I emailed Le Tour asking if it was possible to replace the top hook on the pannier that we broke. I was not hopeful of a favourable response and thought I might have to use an expensive Ortlieb hook which I think might fit. However, I promptly received a response from Le Tour and before I new it Le Tour said it would post me out a replacement. It arrived in the post a few days later. Le Tour did not charge for the part. The after sale service was excellent being prompt, efficient, polite and without any haggling. I would give the panniers and racks 5 stars each but given the small faults as detailed above I can only give them 4 stars. I give Le Tour 5+ stars for their after sales service.

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