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From: prins@cornell.UUCP (Jan Prins)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Bagman saddlebags
Message-ID: <179@cornell.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 28-Aug-85 17:17:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: cornell.179
Posted: Wed Aug 28 17:17:31 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Aug-85 09:04:37 EDT
References: <1065@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP>
Reply-To: prins@cornell.UUCP (Jan Prins)
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept.
Lines: 30

I've had a pair of the Bagmen for two years now, and have done some small-scale
touring with them.  Overall I find them to work quite reasonably, but I have 
noticed a few drawbacks:
   
   Although they are very convenient to mount on a bike "configured" for them
   with the attachments in place and the bag straps adjusted correctly, moving
   them between bikes is quite a bit of work, as the attachments have to be 
   installed correctly and the straps adjusted (in a very awkward manner).

   The bags are not held rigidly in place unless you're very meticulous about
   adjustments above.  I tend to get a bit carried away on back roads, and
   when the bags aren't adjusted very carefully (watch those metal through-
   fittings), they wreck the finish on the bike.

   I have often overstuffed the bags, the only problem appears to be that
   they look lumpy and don't hold the proper position if they are very
   unbalanced.  They are also a bit clumsy to walk with as luggage, because 
   the two bags are attached to each other in a funky way.

   Finally, they seem to offer permanent residence to any dirt in sight.

All in all, if I were a more serious tourer, I would get solid panniers.
But I treat my bike as an impractical sport vehicle, and find its looks spoiled
by any visible utilitarian attachment.  From that point of view the Bagmen
are ideal.

Regards,

jan    prins@cornell (UUCP, ARPA, Csnet)
       prins@crnlcs  (BITNET)