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Why Don’t You Fly? Back Door to Beijing – by Bicycle

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Two pairs of panniers

We test panniers from Clarijs Covers and BlingBlingBikes, both a perfect fi t for the Kronan town bike reviewed elsewhere this issue.

In the UK we like our panniers separate. Somehow the ‘double pannier’ design is more continental, a single unit draping over the top of the rack with a bag hanging down each side. Such panniers are often meant to stay on the bike semipermanently. With the Kronan’s rack unable to accept my usual panniers, and a local company, BlingBlingBikes, importing double-type panniers, I seized the chance to do a test. Shortly afterwards a coincidence led to a contact with another manufacturer from the Netherlands, Clarijs Covers, who have been making this type of bag since 1948. They sent over a bag to fi t the Kronan, and we had two pairs to try! Both bags are made from waterproof vinyl fabric, with the Clarijs model very considerably heavier and tougher. Both makers can provide the bags in a splendid array of colours (Clarijs also let you choose panel colours separately), and this attracts instant admiration from onlookers. More than once I was stopped in the street by people asking about the panniers – and where to get them. They really do brighten up even the dullest bicycle. With the fabric completely waterproof it’s down to the design and construction to keep the contents dry, and Clarijs is a clear winner here. Both bags have extra fl aps on the ‘lid’ to seal the sides against rain, but while the

BlingBling’s are lightweight and fl op around, the Clarijs ones use the stiffness of their heavy fabric to stay fi rmly in place, forming a good seal. The seams also seem more solid on the Clarijs model. Both panniers drape easily over the Kronan rear rack, and the two spring clips hold them fi rmly in place. The BlingBling pannier has two small straps to hold the bottom of the panniers in against the rack leg. The

ABOVE:The BlingBling panniers fully loaded.

Clarijs version doesn’t have these, but the fabric is heavy enough that they sit fl at anyway. Instead it has two straps which fasten under the rack. Both systems are a little fi ddly to attach, but you only do it once, and a thief would fi nd them just as fi ddly to undo.
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To keep the bags ‘in shape’ while loaded up, both have a strap on each side to pull the top of the bag in towards the rack. Here BlingBling’s was slightly more convenient with a snap-buckle, whereas the Clarijs model had to be threaded through a plastic loop. But the heavier Clarijs fabric and plastic stiffeners mean that this feature is less often needed. So how were they in use? The ‘always on’ nature of them is appealing in its simplicity, especially to the mechanically-uninclined who don’t like fi ddling with pannier hook systems. Being able to leave the panniers securely on the bike when it’s parked is great: it can be a pain to carry them round town. They’re also splendidly easy to load up: lift the fl ap and there’s simply a big rectangular opening into which to drop the load. No drawstrings to fi ddle with – just drop the fl ap and click the buckles shut. With the panniers in place, full or empty, the top of the rack remains available for ‘oversize’ loads. The Clarijs system is clearly much heavier duty than the BlingBling model. Its greater weight (around 1.54 kg against the BlingBling’s 1.24 kg) isn’t likely to be an issue on the type of bike it’ll be used on. You do need to ensure that you have plenty of heel clearance if you use either of these bags. On the Kronan or a classic Dutch bike it’ll be no problem, as they have a long

ABOVE:The Clarijs panniers are solidly made, and plastic stiffeners mean they keep their shape well. Rainfl aps are effective and the refl ective strips at the back are a welcome feature.

wheelbase and long rack set well back. On an MTB conversion it might be another matter. Often panniers are shaped for extra heel clearance: these aren’t, they’re just plain rectangular! Clarijs offer six sizes from S (bag size 28cm high x 33cm long x 14cm wide) to XXL (as tested, 32cm high x 38cm long x 19cm wide). BlingBling panniers are 33cm high, 40cm long and 17cm wide. They also offer a smaller model of their own design in a different ‘oilcloth’ material. Given there’s not much price difference I’d defi nitely go for the Clarijs version, which seems better all round. But both combine stylish appeal with real practicality, and are worth serious consideration as an alternative to separate panniers.

Peter Eland

The BlingBling bags cost £40 plus £5 post and packing, or £30 for the smaller models. As we go to press we hear that BlingBling are also planning to import the Clarijs bags alongside their own. BlingBlingBikes:Tel 01904 671804 or seewww.blingblingbikes.co.uk

The Clarijs bags cost from just under € 30 for a one-colour S set to € 55 for an XXL with custom colours. That’s for direct orders from the Netherlands, not including shipping. You can order online (in Dutch only at the moment). They speak excellent English if you prefer to phone or write. Clarijs Covers: Tel +31 118 596 464 Fax +31 118 596 465 or see www.clarijscovers.com

Uni – The Unicycle Magazine

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