Tuesday 18 November 2014

Review: FASTRIDER Trolley Pannier


I may have found my perfect commuting bag!

A few months ago (after several months of commuting with my two-bikes-plus-train solution), the thought occurred to me, "Wouldn't it be great if I could pull this pannier along through train stations (between bikes) instead of carrying it?"

I seriously began going through my (extensive!) collection of wheeled holdalls, business cases and suitcases, looking for a suitable candidate that could be reinforced and to which I could fit pannier hooks (Klick-fix for preference).

And then I spotted this on ebay: 




This case holds as much as my 20L Ortlieb City Roller. 



With the added important feature of an outside pockets for lights, which I have to fit and remove from two different bikes each morning and then again each evening. 


Typical contents for the day:


The rack clips are situated so that the bike sits high enough to reduce risk of heel strike. This is especially important since the bottom of the bag is square, not tapered like many panniers are to address this issue. I have not noticed any effect on handling, since I tend to put heavier items at the bottom anyway.



There are three clips, all spring-loaded. Their positions are fixed horizontally as they are attached to rods inside the lining at the rear of the bag. That is to say, the clips can't be adjusted to the left or to the right to accommodate the location of any bars on your rack. Fortunately, the positions work on both the Tubus Logo rack on the Cross Check and the Blackburn rack on the Viking Bromley.






The only 'weakness' in what otherwise suits my commuting needs to a tee is the lack of total waterproofness. I do watch the weather forecasts quite carefully, so if heavy and/or prolonged rain looks possible, I use one of my Ortlieb panniers. Otherwise, this bag is very nearly perfect. I may consider using a small "drybag" inside it for items I really don't want to risk getting damp. 

10 comments:

  1. Oooh good find. This looks ideal for times I end up joining hen parties where I cycle and then have to lug my pannier around feeling a bit daft. I'll get fleabay hunting!

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  2. Yes, why can't we have more things that are truly designed for the way people live, eh? No idea if one will come up on ebay again but my searches have thrown up a few Dutch online stores that sell other versions of trolley panniers, also made by Fast Rider but so far in quite garish colours, not all black. I've set up an automated search on ebay, will certainly let you know if something comes up.

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    1. Actually... just spotted this one from a German seller: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Wave-Amsterdam-TR-Trolley-and-Bike-Luggage-Carrier-Bag-Bicycle-Case-New-/361102190234?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item54135e269a

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  3. Looks like quite the versatile bag. I am thinking of moving to a rack/pannier system after having some newfound difficulty with my rear basket. I know... I sang its praises, but the P-clamp solution can't support a full touring load as well as I had hoped.

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    1. It definitely fills a gap in the market. There are quite a few panniers that can also be used as backpacks but this, I thought, was a design screaming to be made. So glad to find one! I'd make it waterproof if I could but otherwise, it's a god-send.

      Yeah, I've done the rear basket thing (on a rack fixed with P-clamps) - fine for day trips but not fully loaded, as you say. I still use that P-clamp mounted rack, with panniers now, but find it just can't take as much weight as a properly designed braze-on mounted rack. The moral of that story: the foundation for touring is using the right frame! ;)

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  4. I couldn't find this product on ebay, Any ideas where to source it? Thanks for the review

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    1. I guess that's the beauty of e-bay, eh? This bag was bought used. I don't know the model number but it is not a current one. I can only suggest creating a watch on ebay to see if another one or similar gets listed. Meanwhile, FastRiders' current range is sold through this web shop: http://en.hollandbikeshop.com/bicycle-bags/fastrider-panniers/ Good luck!

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    2. Rose Bikes (in Germany) carries this one in a range of colours/patterns: http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/reisenthel-trolley-m-pannier/aid:704192

      And there is also the M Wave model currently on ebay as mentioned previously - still there: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Wave-Amsterdam-TR-Trolley-and-Bike-Luggage-Carrier-Bag-Bicycle-Case-New-/361102190234?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item54135e269a

      Those are the only 3 examples I know of at the moment.

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    3. Ooooh, just found this one as well: https://www.vanvlietbikes.com/cordo-pannier-trolley-crd-beige.html

      I suggest doing a Google search on "trolley pannier" and then look at the results that come up under IMAGES. Most of the results won't be this kind of bag but possibly 5-10% might be, so worth a quick look from time to time.

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    4. Another trolley pannier option made for motorcycles! No idea what the attachments are like and whether they do, or can be made to, fit a bicycle rack. Anyone know?
      http://www.fjrcatalogue.com/catalog/item/7461126/8603323.htm

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