Russian Panniers

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

When we were in Russia back in 1997, most of our guides had a fairly unique, "U" shaped set of panniers, which they may have made themselves. They are now available retail, in Russia.

http://www.veloclub.ru/rkzk/index.htm

Anyone have any idea if anyone is selling them in the USA?

Thanks,
Hans

Minnesota Backcountry Trails
www.wintersnowtrails.org

[TheDaltonBoys]

TrailPatrol - Haven't heard of them before your post, but looking at them I have to say I like the design. I would really like to get my hands on one to field test. Do you remember what material they were using for the construction of the "body" like cordura, para-pac, or herculite???

[RussellSeaton]

How exactly would you strap a tent with its long pole sections, or a Thermarest with its long 20"-25" length on the rear rack with these panniers?  Most camper bikers strap the tent and sleeping pad either parallel or perpendicular to the top surface of the rack.  Doesn't look like you could do that with these panniers.  Are you forced to have a front rack with a top surface and put these long items in front?

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

Russ, Although some of them seem to now (see gallery at http://home.onego.ru/~pashkov/index.html --look at the status bar on your browser for "news" when you roll the mouse over the links-- is Russian for Photo) nobody I rode with in '97 used front racks or bags. The tents fit into the top of the pack. I didn't pay atention to where the poles went, and I doubt they used pads of any sort...why we usually slept on sandy areas, I suppose.

Mark, "Big Dog" our chief guide's panniers appeared to be made of canvas, but these look like they are Cordura. Since I posted this my sister left DC for her in-law's dacha outside of Moscow. She is going to see if she can locate a set for me.

Hans

Minnesota Backcountry Trails
www.wintersnowtrails.org

This message was edited by Trailpatrol on 7-20-06 @ 3:48 PM