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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 4 Mar 2011
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Aluminium Panniers

Hi

Just fitted my panniers to my Varadero, open for all feedback suggesting inprovements or what would have been good to have.........

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Old 4 Mar 2011
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Personally, I believe panniers are the way to go. Soft luggage will just not cut it for me.

Looking at the picture, it appears that the panniers stick out quite a bit (extra wide). any chance you can get them closer to the bike laterally?
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Old 4 Mar 2011
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I too prefer lockable storage, so aluminium for me. Some say they can trap your legs on serious off road stuff, but I'm happy on gravel tracks, so it's not been an issue.

As above, it looks like you could get them a few inches closer to the bike which will save weight and also reduce the 'moment' with being so far from the centre of gravity.
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Old 5 Mar 2011
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I must admit I did toy with the idea of chopping the racks to facilitate this. They are just standard hepco and becker I think so a slight trim here and there to pull the boxes in might just be whats needed, I will have an afternoon with the grinder and welder - see what transpires...

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Old 5 Mar 2011
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Is it a specific fitting kit for your bike or a universal kit?

If it is for the bike you have to wonder why they've done it like that. You could just about halve the distsnce they are stood off and greatly reduce the leverage on the bike's subframe.
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Old 5 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon View Post
Is it a specific fitting kit for your bike or a universal kit?

If it is for the bike you have to wonder why they've done it like that. You could just about halve the distsnce they are stood off and greatly reduce the leverage on the bike's subframe.
Its specific for the varadero, will post some pics when I have altered it a little.....
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