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Imported.
Item 733813
Specification | Description |
| Average weight | (pair) 4 lbs. 3 oz. |
| Material | Nylon/polyester |
| Dimensions | 13.7 x 10.5 x 7 inches |
| Volume per pair | 2,025 cubic inches |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 16 customers
Sort by
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I commute 20 miles round trip a couple days a week to my office. I had been using a couple of Jandd panniers on a Jandd rack on my old hardtail mountain bike. Because I would remove the panniers arriving at work, remount when headed home, and remove again at home, I got SICK AND TIRED of the awful hook & loop system (replete with a big metal fishhook at the bottom) of the Jandd packs. I grew to loathe them. They were a pain in the neck to mount/remove and even under the best of circumstances, a good bump could dislodge the hooks from the top rail of the rack. I have a 15 inch Mac Powerbook in one of the bags, so a secure connection and large capacity is important to me. After some initial tweaking of the hooks and hardware on the back of the Novara Transfer bags to achieve a precise fit (easy to set up) I was BLOWN AWAY at how simple, easy, fast and secure the mounting process was. To remove, touch a button and yank it off the rack. Couldn't be easier. I wish I had purchased these YEARS ago!! Great capacity (I sometimes haul 10-15 lbs of stuff) and a nice top pouch with an organizer for phone, keys, watch, wallet etc. Well thought out bag with great capacity. The compression straps work really well too. Looking under rocks for something to complain about, the carrying straps are a little thin when the bags are heavy and could have used a rubber coating. Still, I'm LOVING these things and grin every time I drop a loaded pannier one-handed onto my rack and here that wonderful CLICK! German mounting hardware is an elegant and well designed solution for commuters popping bags on and off constantly. Like me.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I have been using these bags for over 6 months now for my 18 mile round trip commute to work 3 to 4 times a week. They have really worked out well for me as they are able to carry everything I need, even my laptop when I was carting that back and forth. However, if you plan to ride regularly in the rain you should probably look at the bags that are advertised as water proof. In moderate rains moisture will seep into the bottom of the bags. I think water that the tires kick up get in between the rain fly and the bottom of the back which allows it to seep through the bottom. Items in the bottom of the bags got damp, not soaking wet though. [...]
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I travel about 60 miles a week with these panniers. Sometimes they are fully loaded and other times they are near empty. They seem to do just fine. It rained the other day so I pulled out the rain covers. Everything stayed dry except for the bottom of the bags. The covers seem to collect water at the bottom. Other than this the panniers have been great!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
This is my second set of panniers, the first being a defect set from Seattle Sports that I returned.
I commute 17 miles round trip each day, rain or shine, and needed panniers that could handle that detail. These can. There's plenty of space for my lunch, repair kit, a couple books to read for lunch, my rain gear, my lock, and more.
The quality of construction seems very high to me, all of the stitches have held up very well. These panniers look like they will last me years.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I have a 24 mile round-trip bike commute in suburban Northern Virginia on bike trails, streets, and sidewalks. I've been happy with how easy it is to use these panniers to pack everything I need for the day. In one I put dress shoes, slacks, a shirt, tie, etc. In the other I have some tools and my lunch sack. I am not hard on these panniers but I have used them almost every day for about the last six months. They are showing wear but still work great. I like the easy access to items in the top pockets. I use it for an iPod, wallet, keys, and lights. My clothes got wet when it rained, even when I used the rainfly. So now I always put them in a plastic bag inside the pannier. I have trouble getting the rainfly to cover all that it is meant to cover. It seems like the nylon webbing that attaches the rainfly to the bag is too short. I haven't tried these in the winter. I waited for a coupon or sale.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I bike to work/school every weekday as well as around town for shopping during the weekends. These panniers work great for all my needs so far. They fit a lot in them. I once was able to fit my books, a bag of cat food and a big pack of hamster bedding into one of these panniers. One pannier out of the pair has a top compartment with small pockets and pencil holders (that I don't use). I have been using these for about a year now and there is very minor wear and tear, mostly from me scraping them against rough surfaces accidentally. It comes with a nice rain cover that lives in it's own zippered compartment and is removable. The mechanism that mounts the pannier to the rack works well but requires 2 hands to remove from rack. Sometimes if I'm going up or down stairs, the bottom hook of the rack mount will slip out of the bike rack and I'll have to readjust. Overall I love these panniers.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
Just received these and have used a couple of times. Well, I've used the left bag a couple of times. [...], the bags are the right size, with plenty of heel clearance for use in the rear. Sure beats a backpack -- why waste money on wicking jerseys and jackets if you're going to cover it all up with a backpack? The main compartment is a good size, and the compression straps seem to do a good job when not loaded to the max. Top pockets are a nice touch for those small things you need to carry and have accessible. The compression straps also provide a good spot to clip an LED flasher. So far I'm pleased with the bag, but very disapointed with REI, from whom I expected more, and since this is a Novara product, there's no one else to blame. To their credit, they shipped out the mounting hardware at no cost (still with no instructions on how to attach it), but you know you want to use your new stuff when you get it, not a week later.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
These bags saved my back. Every three years I ride the trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD. I used to carry my camping equipment and food on my back. But after the first trip I learned of these and have used them since. I manage to keep my tent in one bag with some tools; in the other i can fit clothing and food. They attach securely to my rack even on bumpy terrain. Definitely recommend.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I bought these to get ready for a long bike trip and because they were not as expensive as some others. Unfortunately it's been raining and snowing for us here in Colorado and the rain fly attachment is too small to cover the pannier unless it is empty. This is a problem for me because when you're on the road you need something that will keep your gear safe and dry. It wouldn't take much to make the fly a little bigger to accommodate the size.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
Terrific value - much higher quality than cheaper off-brand panniers, and far less expensive than premium brands. Very expandable, hold tons of cargo, and the compression straps adjust well to any size load. The attachment mechanism is very solid and seems able to easily adjust to a fit a very wide variety of rack configurations.
I agree with other reviewers that the rain covers are too small for a fully loaded bag, and certainly don't work as well as a waterproof fabric. If you ride a lot in wet weather (I don't) and really need a waterproof pannier, pay up for the Ortlieb. Their Sport Packer model is virtually the same size as this pannier, similar configuration, just quite a bit more expensive due to the waterproof fabric.
One minor complaint - when the straps are pulled tight on an empty bag, they leave very long loose ends that can flop loose and catch in spokes. This was easily fixed with a piece of velcro on the end of each strap.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 16 customers
Sort by
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I commute 20 miles round trip a couple days a week to my office. I had been using a couple of Jandd panniers on a Jandd rack on my old hardtail mountain bike. Because I would remove the panniers arriving at work, remount when headed home, and remove again at home, I got SICK AND TIRED of the awful hook & loop system (replete with a big metal fishhook at the bottom) of the Jandd packs. I grew to loathe them. They were a pain in the neck to mount/remove and even under the best of circumstances, a good bump could dislodge the hooks from the top rail of the rack. I have a 15 inch Mac Powerbook in one of the bags, so a secure connection and large capacity is important to me. After some initial tweaking of the hooks and hardware on the back of the Novara Transfer bags to achieve a precise fit (easy to set up) I was BLOWN AWAY at how simple, easy, fast and secure the mounting process was. To remove, touch a button and yank it off the rack. Couldn't be easier. I wish I had purchased these YEARS ago!! Great capacity (I sometimes haul 10-15 lbs of stuff) and a nice top pouch with an organizer for phone, keys, watch, wallet etc. Well thought out bag with great capacity. The compression straps work really well too. Looking under rocks for something to complain about, the carrying straps are a little thin when the bags are heavy and could have used a rubber coating. Still, I'm LOVING these things and grin every time I drop a loaded pannier one-handed onto my rack and here that wonderful CLICK! German mounting hardware is an elegant and well designed solution for commuters popping bags on and off constantly. Like me.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I have been using these bags for over 6 months now for my 18 mile round trip commute to work 3 to 4 times a week. They have really worked out well for me as they are able to carry everything I need, even my laptop when I was carting that back and forth. However, if you plan to ride regularly in the rain you should probably look at the bags that are advertised as water proof. In moderate rains moisture will seep into the bottom of the bags. I think water that the tires kick up get in between the rain fly and the bottom of the back which allows it to seep through the bottom. Items in the bottom of the bags got damp, not soaking wet though. [...]
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I travel about 60 miles a week with these panniers. Sometimes they are fully loaded and other times they are near empty. They seem to do just fine. It rained the other day so I pulled out the rain covers. Everything stayed dry except for the bottom of the bags. The covers seem to collect water at the bottom. Other than this the panniers have been great!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
This is my second set of panniers, the first being a defect set from Seattle Sports that I returned.
I commute 17 miles round trip each day, rain or shine, and needed panniers that could handle that detail. These can. There's plenty of space for my lunch, repair kit, a couple books to read for lunch, my rain gear, my lock, and more.
The quality of construction seems very high to me, all of the stitches have held up very well. These panniers look like they will last me years.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I have a 24 mile round-trip bike commute in suburban Northern Virginia on bike trails, streets, and sidewalks. I've been happy with how easy it is to use these panniers to pack everything I need for the day. In one I put dress shoes, slacks, a shirt, tie, etc. In the other I have some tools and my lunch sack. I am not hard on these panniers but I have used them almost every day for about the last six months. They are showing wear but still work great. I like the easy access to items in the top pockets. I use it for an iPod, wallet, keys, and lights. My clothes got wet when it rained, even when I used the rainfly. So now I always put them in a plastic bag inside the pannier. I have trouble getting the rainfly to cover all that it is meant to cover. It seems like the nylon webbing that attaches the rainfly to the bag is too short. I haven't tried these in the winter. I waited for a coupon or sale.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I bike to work/school every weekday as well as around town for shopping during the weekends. These panniers work great for all my needs so far. They fit a lot in them. I once was able to fit my books, a bag of cat food and a big pack of hamster bedding into one of these panniers. One pannier out of the pair has a top compartment with small pockets and pencil holders (that I don't use). I have been using these for about a year now and there is very minor wear and tear, mostly from me scraping them against rough surfaces accidentally. It comes with a nice rain cover that lives in it's own zippered compartment and is removable. The mechanism that mounts the pannier to the rack works well but requires 2 hands to remove from rack. Sometimes if I'm going up or down stairs, the bottom hook of the rack mount will slip out of the bike rack and I'll have to readjust. Overall I love these panniers.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
Just received these and have used a couple of times. Well, I've used the left bag a couple of times. [...], the bags are the right size, with plenty of heel clearance for use in the rear. Sure beats a backpack -- why waste money on wicking jerseys and jackets if you're going to cover it all up with a backpack? The main compartment is a good size, and the compression straps seem to do a good job when not loaded to the max. Top pockets are a nice touch for those small things you need to carry and have accessible. The compression straps also provide a good spot to clip an LED flasher. So far I'm pleased with the bag, but very disapointed with REI, from whom I expected more, and since this is a Novara product, there's no one else to blame. To their credit, they shipped out the mounting hardware at no cost (still with no instructions on how to attach it), but you know you want to use your new stuff when you get it, not a week later.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
These bags saved my back. Every three years I ride the trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD. I used to carry my camping equipment and food on my back. But after the first trip I learned of these and have used them since. I manage to keep my tent in one bag with some tools; in the other i can fit clothing and food. They attach securely to my rack even on bumpy terrain. Definitely recommend.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
I bought these to get ready for a long bike trip and because they were not as expensive as some others. Unfortunately it's been raining and snowing for us here in Colorado and the rain fly attachment is too small to cover the pannier unless it is empty. This is a problem for me because when you're on the road you need something that will keep your gear safe and dry. It wouldn't take much to make the fly a little bigger to accommodate the size.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:
Terrific value - much higher quality than cheaper off-brand panniers, and far less expensive than premium brands. Very expandable, hold tons of cargo, and the compression straps adjust well to any size load. The attachment mechanism is very solid and seems able to easily adjust to a fit a very wide variety of rack configurations.
I agree with other reviewers that the rain covers are too small for a fully loaded bag, and certainly don't work as well as a waterproof fabric. If you ride a lot in wet weather (I don't) and really need a waterproof pannier, pay up for the Ortlieb. Their Sport Packer model is virtually the same size as this pannier, similar configuration, just quite a bit more expensive due to the waterproof fabric.
One minor complaint - when the straps are pulled tight on an empty bag, they leave very long loose ends that can flop loose and catch in spokes. This was easily fixed with a piece of velcro on the end of each strap.
