Oxford Low Rider panniers

[vkalia]

I am in the market for a set of front and rear panniers for 2-3 week independent touring (mostly staying in hotels but also packing some camping gear).   Rainproof (ability to withstand tropical monsoon rains) is a must. 

I was looking at the JandD and the bags seem pretty nicely made, but I refuse to pay $100 or so for a set of rain covers.  And in that same vein of general principle, I get a major burr in my saddle when I look at the Ortlieb glorified drybags for $200 a pop.   Now, I understand the value of good luggage - but to me, $400+ for 4 simple bags is way too much.  I'll pay it if I have no other choice, but I'd prefer to get something a little more sensibly priced. 

Enter Chain Reaction cycles.  The Oxford bags seem well-specced, come with a rain cover and are reasonably priced as well.   Any experiences with them?

Alternatively, any other suggestions for good, waterproof (or with rain cover) panniers?    I've gone through quite a few archived discussions on this, but the rain resistance bit is one that has not really been stressed.

I am looking at something in the 3000l for the rear panniers and 1500l range for the front panniers.  I dont necessarily want the cheapest panniers out there - am happy to pay for high-quality products, but while staying within the limits of good value.

Thanks,
Vandit

[RussSeaton]

You might want to look at the Nashbar waterproof panniers.  I used the Nashbar ATB panniers years ago and they worked perfectly great.  The ATB are not waterproof, which is one of your requirements.  I just put everything in ziploc bags and then put a plastic trash bag inside the panniers and everything stays dry.  Waterproof panniers don't seem to add much for me.  But based on my good experience with the other Nashbar panniers, the waterproof models may be OK.

[staehpj1]

I wasn't crazy about the Nashbar MTB panniers, but like the Nashbar Waterproof ones quite well.  I also like the Transit line from Performance.  Three of us used a mix of Nashbar Waterproof, Nashbar MTB. and the Transit Epic The Epic was supposed to be a front pannier, but I used them on the rear and found them plenty big enough to suit me.  The ladies I rode with wanted one bag with pockets so they each used one of the MTB panniers on the front with a Nashbar waterproof on the other side.  All of the bags mentioned worked fine and held up well.

Sorry but I can't comment on the Oxford panniers.

[vkalia]

Nashbar unfortunately doesnt ship to India... Performance does, but they dont really have anything that stands out.

Any other options for bags with good, robust rain-covers?  Worst case, I can probably get covers made locally but it just saves a lot of time to get them together.

V.

[staehpj1]

Nashbar unfortunately doesnt ship to India... Performance does, but they dont really have anything that stands out.

Any other options for bags with good, robust rain-covers?  Worst case, I can probably get covers made locally but it just saves a lot of time to get them together.

V.

They sell the same Waterproof panniers as Nashbar and also the Transit line.  Both were acceptable and I would buy either again.

[RussSeaton]

Nashbar unfortunately doesnt ship to India... Performance does, but they dont really have anything that stands out.

Any other options for bags with good, robust rain-covers?  Worst case, I can probably get covers made locally but it just saves a lot of time to get them together.

V.

They sell the same Waterproof panniers as Nashbar and also the Transit line.  Both were acceptable and I would buy either again.

These would be the Performance version of the Nashbar panniers.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23828&subcategory_ID=2312

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23827&subcategory_ID=2312

Nashbar panniers below.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_172248_-1_200350_200282_200350

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_172282_-1_200350_200282_200350

[vkalia]

Cheers.  I had seen those Performance panniers but those reviews about the fastenings coming off, etc. had put me off.  Good to know that these are reliable bags...

Thanks for the help!

[staehpj1]

Cheers.  I had seen those Performance panniers but those reviews about the fastenings coming off, etc. had put me off.  Good to know that these are reliable bags...

Thanks for the help!

Yeah, I have seen complaints too.  We did a 4244 mile tour in 2007 and my daughter used two of them much of the time for daily commuting for since then.  No problems with fasteners coming off and the bags are still in great shape.  We definitely did not baby them either.  We often just laid the bikes on their side on the panniers, etc.

At least one guy who complained about fasteners coming off said that he was having trouble because the hooks were designed for a rack with smaller diameter tubes than his had.  We had no such problems with the racks we used (Blackburn EX-1 rear and Nashbar or Performance clones of the Blackburn lowrider).

[vkalia]

Last question - how easy are those panniers to remove every night?   The one big thing I like about Ortliebs is how easily they come off for transport/securing.

Vandit

[staehpj1]

Last question - how easy are those panniers to remove every night?   The one big thing I like about Ortliebs is how easily they come off for transport/securing.

Mine stay loaded and on the bike for pretty much the whole tour.  I don't take stuff into the tent at night, so for me it isn't much of an issue, but...  The Nashbar waterproof come off easily enough.  Actually I don't see how they could be any easier.  The top has hooks and the bottom a hook on the end of the velcro.  Just lift the top off and the unhook the bungee if it doesn't fall free on it's own.

The Transit ones are harder to remove.  If you tighten them real tight that are a bit of a pain to remove.

[vkalia]

Thanks again for your help.  Much appreciated.

Vandit