PBancroft
Senior Member
- Location
- Winchester
Topeak describe the DryBag thusly:-
The Pannier DryBag features a fully seam sealed 300 denier and 600 denier polyester construction with a roll top closure for maximum protection from the elements. The Topeak quick release Hook and Lock system attaches the pannier securely and makes installation and removal a snap.
The bags look sturdy, and can easily carry a great deal of kit. But looks aren't everything, and I found them to be surprisingly fragile.
Firstly, the front strap runs underneath a small lip of plastic with the Topeak logo on it. Almost the first time the bag was tightened, this lip tore off. It's difficult to suggest that this was purely down to manhandling, as panniers need to be fairly robust to survive on the road. That said, this is just an aesthetic issue, and didn't really affect performance in any way.
Similarly, the bags are mounted on a plastic board, seemingly by a simple bolt and washer setup. At one point during the ride, a particular gap on the route was quite tight (this was a restrictive entry barrier onto a bridleway to prevent motorcyclists - cyclists were explicitly allowed according to the signage), and boths panniers were caught on obstructions. This was enough to partially tear one bag away from the rear boarding. The force placed against the bag is probably excessive when compared to everyday use, for let's say commuting, but did highlight that the bags are a little weaker than they appear to be, and not robust enough for serious touring.
On more positive notes, the bags kept everything nice and dry throughout the trip, though we didn't attempt a "bucket test." They fitted quickly and easily to the rack. The bags are also a reasonable value for the size, ease of attachment and versatility. The reflective strips are large and were a great boon for making one's self visible at night.
Lowest UK Price I could find: Chain Reaction Cycles
