SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Specification

Measuring 45cm tall, 26cm long and 15cm deep (17 x 10,2 x5.9 inches) it’s a tall, rectangular design. One particularly suited to bikes with shorter chainstays. Contexts where heel clearance can be at a premium-especially if you’ve bigger feet. The main fabric is a really beefy TPU with two tone black patterning, retro-reflective Topeak logo and triangles. Sonically welded constructions and sealed seams, roll top and Velcro closures inspire phenomenal confidence in foul weather.

The ten-kilo payload is similarly reassuring, although common to several panniers we’ve tested recently.  The base doesn’t feature internal, or external reinforcement, like the feet employed on Lomo’s Zephyr Lomo Zephyr Waterproof Panniers | cycling-not-racing. However, the rack side panel has a “scuff plate” to protect it from premature wear.

 Internally, it's rather spartan, which will delight some and alienate others. No restrictions if you want to bung stuff in, less convenient if you’re wanting to segregate laptops, tablets, clothes and tooling, for example. Save for adhering to the time-honoured heaviest stuff at the bottom manta, I’m prone to bunging stuff in and scooting off, so belong to the former camp.  Mind you, I’ve been inclined to line with a brightly coloured plastic bag for spotting stuff-especially tubes, tools and the shoulder strap at night.

 

Mounting Hardware 3.5/5

Topeak’s Handleloc system is operationally tool-free and engineered for dependable convenience, so you can switch it from left to right sides and different racks with minimal faff. Handleloc is another “clutch type” design, working to the same principle as that employed on Lomo’s Zephyr, but more refined and snappier.

Pull the carry handle up to release, line it up and press down to lock onto the rack’s rails. Takes literally seconds, although slick, single-handed mastery takes a little practice. Designed for 8, 10, 12 and 16mm tubing, the kit comes complete with inserts.

 

These are the one deviation from the tool-free script. You need to remove the handle’s small screws, exchange shims and reinstate the screws. Don’t wing it, put those screws in a pocket, or similar safe place-they’re easily lost. The stabiliser "foot" is similarly articulate and can not only be moved back and forth, but rotated, for a more universal fit.

 

Topeak’s Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack and its disc-friendly, two-tier sibling use 10.2mm rod, so plug and play-straight from the packet. Same story with the M Part Summit Rear Pannier Rack, although binding old inner tube around its 10mm rod achieved the most secure union, without hindering intentional release.

 

Test Bikes & Contexts

Ours has been tested across three bikes, three racks on and where appropriate, off road. Denise, my gravel build with the M Part Summit Pannier rack, Mufin with the Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing. Ursula is always an obvious candidate given her small compact geometry frameset and relatively short, 42cm chainstays. Perky and rewarding to ride, but given my size 44 feet, exceeding 20 litres a recipe for heel clearance hassles.    

 

Denise and Ursula also cover a decent milage along unmade roads, bridleways and forest trails. Given the pannier’s rugged construction and capacity, I had a hunch it could serve well for less intense gravel and overnight bare-bones camping. Assuming of course, you weren’t wedded to frame and post mounted luggage.

 

June brought storms, heavy rains, gusts and protracted hot, dry spells-perfect for evaluating real world everyday waterproofing I’ve also ridden through the odd ford and subjected the pannier to a three- minute, close range hosepipe test for good measure.

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Performance 3.5/5

Minor grumbles aside, I’ve found the Dry Bag 16 litre well executed, versatile and very practical in most situations. The mounting system is intuitive and gets even easier with practice (I’ve got transfers down to thirty seconds), while still providing secure tenure to the rails. Charging along unmade roads and disused airfields, Rixen Kaul Klick Fix Hardware has a slight, palpable edge here.

 

There’s been some very subtle rattle in these environments, along farm tracks, railway crossings, rumble strips and raised ironworks.   No worse than the Oxford Aqua V20, mind. I’ve needed to snug the bottom catch tight every few rides. Otherwise the Handloc system hasn’t missed a beat and intentional release is easier compared with Rixen Kaul/homages.

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Calling Topeak’s bluff, I’ve gone the full ten kilos and aside from taking a mile or two adjusting to the weight, have been able to relax and concentrate on turning a decent cadence and generally enjoy the ride. No issues with heel clout. Weaving around ruts, rogue rabbits, muntjak deer and other woodland creatures, the mounting hardware held firm.

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Same story through the concrete jungle when I’ve been negotiating tighter gaps in stop go traffic, holes, glass and similar hazards. The (denier) fabric is very supportive, largely renders a resin base plate redundant and packed sensibly, seems to “hug” contents, preventing them from bounding around noisily. This was particularly apparent when doing a more substantial top-up shop with tins and jars.

 

Reasonably compliant, it’ll expand to accommodate melons, 5 aside footballs and other impulse purchases but less receptive to being stuffed with clothes, towels and shoes compared with this Altura and Lomo Zephyr. Especially when rolling and fastening the top. A minor point but disciplined packing can take a back seat when I’m rushing, or just weary and wanting to get home.  Talking of which, while packable jackets, or gilets are easily spotted, the same isn’t so for tubes, tyre levers, tool caddies and pumps-I’ve needed to use a torch type front light to locate them around dusk and beyond. This isn’t my experience with lighter fabrics, or those with a bright liner.  

 

Aboard the M Part Summit and Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX, our 16-litre version played nicely with big trunk type bags and not just their own MTX, or RX series. These could be packed with tools, tubes and bike specific stuff, leaving the pannier free for a suitable lock and overnight camping kit.  

 

Predictably, mounting and removal proved fiddlier with the Roswheel Lightweight and to a lesser extent, Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack Topeak Uni SuperTourist 2.0 NonDisc Rack | cycling-not-racing  since these are single tier, meaning luggage is competing for space. Off the bike, the two-tone black design looks classy and convenient to carry, courtesy of the generously padded, adjustable carry strap and ergonomic handle. Both distribute loads quite effectively, although much will depend on payload and duration. Around the shops, at the station, walking to the office, café’ etc, no problem and that’s what most of us are likely to be doing.  

Waterproofing 4.25/5

Nothing is 100% waterproof but human error aside, the Dry Bag Pannier 16 litre is as waterproof as most of us are ever going to need. 6 weeks and 600 miles later, it’s had heavy rains for breakfast, waterlogged roads for lunch and sniggered at the hosepipe come teatime.  Mind you, be sure you have the Velcro tops completely sealed, otherwise water can find a way inside, albeit slowly and depending on the angle.    

Durability/Care 3.75/5

Save for some very slight patina, ours still looks packet fresh. Black is ultra practical, hiding traffic grime, oily spatter and organic gunk.  Ours   has been ambushed by some very prickly foliage, brushed against trees, raw and rendered brickwork without so much as scratch.

 

The mechanism is performing impeccably and despite allowing the stabiliser foot to get coated in gritty muck, no sign of abrasion damage. Bodes well for longer term dependability.  

 

The pannier’s predominantly glossy fabric is easily wiped down with a damp cloth, more entrenched stuff dismissed with a shot or two of bike wash, agitated with a medium stiff brush and rinsed with warm (not hot water).  This technique also works well inside-say if you’d had a bottle break or allowed a bunch of bananas to go organic in the bottom.

 

Value 3.25/5

£79 for a single pannier might seem a little steep. Especially since a set of Lomo Zephyr is £5 cheaper. The Oxford Aqua V20 Single Quick Release Pannier is £44.99 Oxford Aqua V20 Single Pannier | cycling-not-racing  a very solid design with a zippered pocket built into the exterior wall. However, in common with the Topeak, the 500-denier fabric is also quite stiff, making rolling the top section less convenient than some.

 

Altura Thunderstorm City 20 is £74.99 and available in dark grey with extensive retroreflective detailing, or safety yellow.   Brae Yonder Brae Cycling Yonder Pannier | cycling-not-racing is £50, also made from welded TPU and there’s an internal zippered section, keeping things segregated. 25 litres is pretty capacious but could be problematic clearance-wise on smaller compact geometry frames, or sportier tourers.

As the name suggests, it offers 20 litre capacity, has segregated sections for laptops, pumps and other kit you’d want to keep segregated and organised.  UPSO Potters Pannier TESTED: UPSO POTTERS PANNIER (now £84.99) is made from recycled tarpaulin and expandable between 12 and 21 litres. While not waterproof in the welded seams sense, Steve found it very weatherproof.  

Summary

The Topeak Pannier Dry Bag 16 litre is a rugged and very practical pannier. One, in my view, particularly suited to smaller bikes serving in all weathers. Smaller cross country mountain bikes converted to gravel, or touring duties, in particular. Build quality, weatherproofing, and design are generally very good. That said; while the Handleloc system has proven reassuringly secure, those primarily concerned with off road touring or bikepacking are arguably best served by models using Rixen Kaul Klick Fix. Similarly, while a solid choice for commuting, there are better choices for those seeking to keep laptops and tablets segregated.

​Michael Stenning

​Verdict: 3.5/5 Solid pannier with user friendly mounting system but internal layout won’t suit everyone.

Extra UK