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Novara Transfer Panniers - Pair

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Reviews

The Novara Transfer panniers are built with credit-card bike tourists and commuters in mind. They're light, so you can be fast!

Optimized size can be used on either front or rear racks; built to accommodate a variety of rack diameters from 8 - 12mm
Integrated raincovers are easy to access even when the panniers are full
Interior mesh pockets and a tethered key clip; zip top pockets provide storage for small items
Rixen & Kaul® TWIST attachment system is quick, easy and secure and does not require the use of straps or buckles; fully adjustable fore and aft
Transfer panniers are sold as a pair

Imported.

Item 780451

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Pannier Installation Instructions

Novara Transfer Panniers - Pair Specs

Specification

Description

Gear capacity (L)

47.0 liters

Bike commuting & touring

Set

2,868 cubic inches

16 x 10.5 x 8 inches

3 lbs. 4 oz.

Polyester

Best use

Waterproof

Sold as

Volume per pair

Dimensions

Average weight

Material(s)

Novara Transfer Panniers - Pair Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Transfer Panniers

3.2

(based on 17 reviews)

65%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lots of storage (8)
Adjustable (5)
Easy to use (4)
Lightweight (4)
Durable (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting (10)
Road bikes (4)
City bikes (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Office professional (4)
- Primary use:
- Personal (12)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (7)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 17 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2009

(16 of 20 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Buy with caution

By Chris the cyclist

from Olympia, WA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Good attachment

Cons

Not waterproof
Poor closure of top

Best Uses

Long Rides
Road Bikes

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

Although durable and easy to use, the angled top flap tie-downs are poorly designed. They need to be direct straight-down ties for good closure when fully packed otherwise the top "hunches" back. Also, when packed, the waterproof cover is not large enough to even partially cover the pack and stay in place. My stuff got completely wet and I fought the top constantly in a 10 week trip.

Apr

2010

(12 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Not just for commuting

By J_NO Outdoors

from St. Louis, MO

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lots of Storage
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Multi-day trips

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I bought (used my REI dividend for, rather) a pair of these a few weeks ago for a 225 mile bike ride (KT trail in Missouri) I finished this week. There was plenty of room for my 3-day 2-night trip. One held my sleeping bag and pad, the other my clothes, food, stove, etc. (I strapped my tent to the top of the rear rack). I did catch some rain at the end of the ride, but the rain covers worked perfectly.

I plan to also use these for groceries, taking the load off my back.

As mentioned by another reviewer, these might be the last panniers I'll need to buy.

Jul

2009

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

They work for me

By Horace S. Patoot

from Twin Cities area

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Useful compartments

Cons

Plain looking
Straps endanger spokes

Best Uses

Commuting
Long Rides

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I've had these babies since last summer. During three seasons I commute daily, putting on an average 80 to 100 miles a week, many times in the rain. These panniers have served me well. The rain covers are exactly the right size in my opinion; I fill the bags to the max and they still just cover the bags like shower caps. If they were larger I'd worry about them tangling in the spokes.

On that subject, I wish the compression straps had been designed in some way to prevent tangling with the spokes when I forget to snap them. Several times I've stopped to pull out a camera, etc. and forgotten to reclip the straps, only to find out I'd taken out a spoke or two when I got home. This is because of the strange angle of address of the straps.

The top compartment does do strange things when the bag isn't full and the compression straps are cinched, but it's only cosmetic.

They could have added just a bit more style. These are the brown shoes of panniers, I think.

These are my first panniers (I used to bungee on a pack) and unless they start to show signs of wear they might just be my last.

Jun

2009

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Decent Pannier

By btaylor66

from Long Beach, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Versatile

Cons

Compatibility with racks

Best Uses

Commuting
Road Bikes

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I bought these for my Novera Ponderosa that I use to commute to work. So far they have been durable, but they are very difficult to mount when using the Novera Basic Rack Trunk with a Topeak MTX BeamRack, in part, due to the design of the Riven-KaulA® TWIST attachment clips. Also, the Topeak trunk bags will not work with the Novera Panniers, as the mounting height of the Novera Panniers is too tall.

Overall, they are good with the exception that I can not fit my 17" Laptop inside, so I am looking for another pair of Panniers that will accommodate my laptop, or I will have to use a backpack as well, which was why I purchased Panniers to begin with, so that I wouldn't have to use a backpack.

Just an FYI, I did catch one of my Panniers on the edge of a car in my driveway and broke one of the Riven-KaulA® TWIST attachment clips. Replacement parts are not available, so I had to upgrade to the the Novera Klickfix system to fix it. I will see if this makes it easier to take the Panniers off, as I leave them on the bike all the time because it is such a production to put them on.

May

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Awesome panniers for commuting!

By adrian always riding

from chicago,il

About Me Competitive Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy to Use
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I LOVE my transfer panniers. I have them mounted on a topeak rack and they work great. I would not recommend for any heavy duty extended touring trips as ortlieb makes great panniers for real touring(and real money). The panniers are really easy to throw on the rack and come off quickly.
Big enough to carry work clothes,shoes,and extra layers. I have not had any problems with sinching down the top with the compression straps, although the angle on them is a bit weird they do not detract from product quality.
The rain covers have worked well for me and managed to cover the panniers even when they are packed full of stuff. They have kept my stuff dry through a 10 mile downpour. For the money the are great beginner panniers.

Jul

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Great bag, bad clips

By Tom the commuter

from Hillsboro, OR

About Me Commuter, Office Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to use
Good size

Cons

Clips poorly made

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I used these bags for a couple of weeks and really enjoyed them. They were really easy to get on and off of my rack and held my laptop well. However, after about two weeks, the clicking part of the clip--to hold the clip shut--broke on both sides of one bag. With no replacement parts, KI had to take them back. Hoping to find something just as good soon.

Jun

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Rain cover not waterproof.

By Herman

from Pennsylvania

About Me Avid Traveler, Bike Commuter, Student

Pros

Easy to access contents
Good size
Simple

Cons

Not Waterproof

Best Uses

City Bikes

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

The size of these panniers was exactly what I needed to fit food, a change of clothes, and extra rain gear for a day of commuting. They fit on my rack easily and it was very easy to access the contents of the bags. You can even access the outer zipper pockets without getting off the bike.

The only problem I had was with the rain covers and it was a major problem. They weren't waterproof. After a 15 mile ride in rain, with the rain covers on, anything that was touching the fabric inside the panniers was wet. Specifically my change of clothes.

I returned the Novara panniers and purchased a pair of the Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Panniers.

May

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Very practical and an excellent value

By TWLARE

from Bellingham, WA

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Lightweight
Lots of Storage

Cons

Best Uses

City Bikes
Commuting
Touring

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

My wife and I purchased one pair of the Transfer Panniers for our first bicycle vacation. We each carried one pannier packed with clothes, maps, and snacks for a four day trip with variable weather conditions. There was plenty of room for several layers and lightweight rain gear. The pocket in the cover worked great for small items that would have been hard to find in the larger compartment. Additional small items can be stored in the rain cover pocket on the side. The bags are easily adjustable for different racks, go on and off easily, and attach very securely.

If the panniers had a shoulder strap, it would be easier to carry them when off the bike.

May

2010

(1 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Polyester is Trash - Should be Nylon

By Jack Kessler

from Berkeley, CA

About Me Avid Traveler

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Wears Easily

Best Uses

Return to REI for refund

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I can think of no LEGITIMATE reason to make panniers out of anything but nylon. Nylon is durable. Polyester is not. Nylon is strong. Polyester is not. Nylon does not rot. Polyester does. REI can have saved only a few cents on the difference in price between nylon cordura cloth and polyester cloth. I don't think that is why they made these out of inferior material. I think REI ordered them made of polyester precisely to get the user to buy another set in a year or two.

Mine wore a hole in the bottom after a few days of touring. The nylon panniers on the rear rack have endured literally decades of touring without any significant wear or failures. What does that tell you about why REI chose to make this trash product of polyester?

Nov

2009

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great commuter bags

By Monte the biker

from Devils Lake, ND

About Me Office Professional

See all my reviews

Pros

Adjustable
Lots of Storage

Cons

Odd closure strap

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Transfer Panniers:

I use my bike to commute 3 days per week. On weekends I run errands (groceries, etc.) on my bike. These bags have been great.

The system for attaching to the rack allows you to adjust the fore-aft positioning so my heels no longer hit the bags. You may have to fuss with them a little to get it right, but it isn't too hard.

The top opening is very wide, making loading easy.

The only poorly designed items are the placement of the closure straps/buckles. The lower portion (when unbuckled) drops far down and can get caught in the spokes. Other bags I have used have a loop the strap runs through to keep it higher on the bag.