Re: [RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-03-02 Thread beachb...@gmail.com 
I’ve got an older version of the North St Woodward pack I bought used here 
a couple of years ago. I’ve been using it to commute ever since. It’s 
perfect. I couldn’t be happier. It has a couple pockets to keep things 
separate, and a cavernous main area with a padded laptop sleeve. I did buy 
one of their interior pockets which Velcro to the inside of the bag to keep 
valuables. The conversion from pannier to backpack is simple and takes 
seconds. On the bike it is sturdy and secure. Easy on and easy off with no 
wobbles or annoying rattles. The quality of workmanship and materials is 
outstanding. I just looked at the new version on The North St website and 
wow, it’s not cheap. That being said, I’d still recommend it. You’ll never 
need another one. 
Jack
South Jersey 

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:07:25 AM UTC-5 Robert Tilley wrote:

> I used the Arkel Bug backpack pannier for years and I really liked it. I 
> would use it an a pannier on my morning commute and then use it as a 
> backpack for riding the trails on my way home.
>
> It worked great as a pannier which is a given since the Arkel mounting 
> system is really well done. It also was very comfortable as a backpack. 
> Mine did not have a sternum strap but that proved to not be an issue.
>
> I used it pretty roughly and it is still as good as new. It looks to be 
> 25L which may be too small for what you need.
>
> [image: bike-convertible-pannier-bug-arkel-grey.jpg]
>
> Bug - Pannier Backpack 
> arkel.ca 
> 
>
> Robert Tilley
> San Diego, CA
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 27, 2024, at 4:14 PM, Robert Blunt  wrote:
>
> 
>
> Greetings everyone,
> I am going to cycle the Zuiderzee bicycle route in the Netherlands in 
> April (400km) and am trying to figure out the best way to go straight from 
> the airport to the bike rental place without dragging a suitcase and all 
> the hassle entailed with that. I am definitely packing in a minimalist 
> fashion and am interested in the various offerings of backpack panniers. It 
> will be a three week trip and the 32 liter North St. Bags Woodward 
> backpack pannier seems like one of the better options out there for having 
> a carry-on that can transition straight from the airport to a bicycle rear 
> rack. Does anyone have any experience with this bag or similar products? 
> Thanks in advance.
> Robert Blunt 
> Pennington, NJ
>
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-02-28 Thread Robert Blunt 
Thanks everyone for the input. The 32 liter size and good reviews has
convinced me to purchase the North St. Bags Woodward. Disciplining myself
to take only necessities is going to be the biggest challenge I think. I am
absolutely stoked to see Dutch cycling infrastructure. I am getting picked
up from the Amsterdam airport and heading straight to the bike shop, pick
up the touring bike I am renting, and get the first 40k out of the way so
the backpack pannier makes sense for this sort of scenario. Thanks again.
Best,
Robert Blunt
Pennington, NJ

On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:37 PM Shawn Granton <
urbanadventurelea...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey all-
>
> I've used North St Bags for several years, both their more basic panniers
> and also a convertible backpack/pannier of theirs, an older model I
> believe. I used a set of regular North St panniers and the convertible with
> its non-converting mate (I had them made custom) on several tours in the
> earlier teens, including a four-month odyssey across the continent. North
> St. bags are well made and Curtis stands behind them, repairing them if
> needed.
>
> I feel that their convertible bag was the best of the type: works great as
> a pannier and good (though not great) as a backpack. I like how the pannier
> hooks were hidden in "backpack" mode, no worries about them digging into
> your back or having some "extra" thing you have to either add or remove to
> make it work as a backpack. I say it works "good" as a backpack because the
> pannier stiffener means the bag won't contour to your back, so it's good
> for more limited use--I definitely felt the "stiff board" for prolonged
> periods of use. Also, North St. uses the simple "hook and bungee" pannier
> mounting system--simple and easy to repair, but not as secure as Ortlieb
> locking style mounts.
>
> I don't have my convertible bag anymore as my needs shifted. But I don't
> regret having one.
>
> Best,
> Shawn in The Portland
>
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> 
> .
>

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Re: [RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-02-28 Thread Shawn Granton 
Hey all-

I've used North St Bags for several years, both their more basic panniers 
and also a convertible backpack/pannier of theirs, an older model I 
believe. I used a set of regular North St panniers and the convertible with 
its non-converting mate (I had them made custom) on several tours in the 
earlier teens, including a four-month odyssey across the continent. North 
St. bags are well made and Curtis stands behind them, repairing them if 
needed.  

I feel that their convertible bag was the best of the type: works great as 
a pannier and good (though not great) as a backpack. I like how the pannier 
hooks were hidden in "backpack" mode, no worries about them digging into 
your back or having some "extra" thing you have to either add or remove to 
make it work as a backpack. I say it works "good" as a backpack because the 
pannier stiffener means the bag won't contour to your back, so it's good 
for more limited use--I definitely felt the "stiff board" for prolonged 
periods of use. Also, North St. uses the simple "hook and bungee" pannier 
mounting system--simple and easy to repair, but not as secure as Ortlieb 
locking style mounts.

I don't have my convertible bag anymore as my needs shifted. But I don't 
regret having one.

Best,
Shawn in The Portland

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Re: [RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-02-28 Thread Michael Ullmer 
Hi Robert,

I used the North St Backpack Pannier for a few years and really liked the 
design and versatility. If I was ever going to go back to a 
pannier/backpack setup, this would be first on my list of bags to use. 
Highly recommended!

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 8:12:34 AM UTC-6 matthew...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> PS - I'm happy to provide some photos later if you'd like a reference on 
> them.
>
> On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 9:11:25 AM UTC-5 Matthew Rebmann wrote:
>
>> I have a couple of their panniers as well as a trunk bag and a hip pack 
>> from them. I daily wear the hip pack and it's pretty worse for wear after 
>> one year but I beat the ever living crap out of it (it's their ecopak 
>> material.) I've had two of the Route Panniers 24L bags for probably 2-3 
>> years now for commuting to work and they've been great, made of cordura. I 
>> can't attest to their durability on a grueling tour but I really like them 
>> and haven't had any excessive wear or leaks. Their customer service is also 
>> fantastic and very responsive. 
>>
>> On another note: Last year they sent out a 3rd party survey and I decided 
>> to fill it out on a whim. At the end of it, it asked if I had anything else 
>> I'd like to mention. I told them I was in the market for a nice trunk bag 
>> with a roll top closure and to my surprise, I got a return email direct 
>> from them (less than two days later) letting me know they had some old 
>> stock I could buy or I could order a custom bag from them. I went with the 
>> custom and the turn around was VERY fast. 
>>
>> Are they the best bags out there? I can't say. Are they good quality? 
>> Absolutely and they seem to be some great folks in my experience.
>>
>> On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:07:25 AM UTC-5 Robert Tilley wrote:
>>
>>> I used the Arkel Bug backpack pannier for years and I really liked it. I 
>>> would use it an a pannier on my morning commute and then use it as a 
>>> backpack for riding the trails on my way home.
>>>
>>> It worked great as a pannier which is a given since the Arkel mounting 
>>> system is really well done. It also was very comfortable as a backpack. 
>>> Mine did not have a sternum strap but that proved to not be an issue.
>>>
>>> I used it pretty roughly and it is still as good as new. It looks to be 
>>> 25L which may be too small for what you need.
>>>
>>> [image: bike-convertible-pannier-bug-arkel-grey.jpg]
>>>
>>> Bug - Pannier Backpack 
>>> arkel.ca 
>>> 
>>>
>>> Robert Tilley
>>> San Diego, CA
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Feb 27, 2024, at 4:14 PM, Robert Blunt  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> Greetings everyone,
>>> I am going to cycle the Zuiderzee bicycle route in the Netherlands in 
>>> April (400km) and am trying to figure out the best way to go straight from 
>>> the airport to the bike rental place without dragging a suitcase and all 
>>> the hassle entailed with that. I am definitely packing in a minimalist 
>>> fashion and am interested in the various offerings of backpack panniers. It 
>>> will be a three week trip and the 32 liter North St. Bags Woodward 
>>> backpack pannier seems like one of the better options out there for having 
>>> a carry-on that can transition straight from the airport to a bicycle rear 
>>> rack. Does anyone have any experience with this bag or similar products? 
>>> Thanks in advance.
>>> Robert Blunt 
>>> Pennington, NJ
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAGTQPx81cR4sSdH%2BxpTbbVE-o%2BfkT3p6ew9nU0brEhSZRSasEQ%40mail.gmail.com
>>>  
>>> 
>>> .
>>>
>>>

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Re: [RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-02-28 Thread Matthew Rebmann 
PS - I'm happy to provide some photos later if you'd like a reference on 
them.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 9:11:25 AM UTC-5 Matthew Rebmann wrote:

> I have a couple of their panniers as well as a trunk bag and a hip pack 
> from them. I daily wear the hip pack and it's pretty worse for wear after 
> one year but I beat the ever living crap out of it (it's their ecopak 
> material.) I've had two of the Route Panniers 24L bags for probably 2-3 
> years now for commuting to work and they've been great, made of cordura. I 
> can't attest to their durability on a grueling tour but I really like them 
> and haven't had any excessive wear or leaks. Their customer service is also 
> fantastic and very responsive. 
>
> On another note: Last year they sent out a 3rd party survey and I decided 
> to fill it out on a whim. At the end of it, it asked if I had anything else 
> I'd like to mention. I told them I was in the market for a nice trunk bag 
> with a roll top closure and to my surprise, I got a return email direct 
> from them (less than two days later) letting me know they had some old 
> stock I could buy or I could order a custom bag from them. I went with the 
> custom and the turn around was VERY fast. 
>
> Are they the best bags out there? I can't say. Are they good quality? 
> Absolutely and they seem to be some great folks in my experience.
>
> On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:07:25 AM UTC-5 Robert Tilley wrote:
>
>> I used the Arkel Bug backpack pannier for years and I really liked it. I 
>> would use it an a pannier on my morning commute and then use it as a 
>> backpack for riding the trails on my way home.
>>
>> It worked great as a pannier which is a given since the Arkel mounting 
>> system is really well done. It also was very comfortable as a backpack. 
>> Mine did not have a sternum strap but that proved to not be an issue.
>>
>> I used it pretty roughly and it is still as good as new. It looks to be 
>> 25L which may be too small for what you need.
>>
>> [image: bike-convertible-pannier-bug-arkel-grey.jpg]
>>
>> Bug - Pannier Backpack 
>> arkel.ca 
>> 
>>
>> Robert Tilley
>> San Diego, CA
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Feb 27, 2024, at 4:14 PM, Robert Blunt  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> Greetings everyone,
>> I am going to cycle the Zuiderzee bicycle route in the Netherlands in 
>> April (400km) and am trying to figure out the best way to go straight from 
>> the airport to the bike rental place without dragging a suitcase and all 
>> the hassle entailed with that. I am definitely packing in a minimalist 
>> fashion and am interested in the various offerings of backpack panniers. It 
>> will be a three week trip and the 32 liter North St. Bags Woodward 
>> backpack pannier seems like one of the better options out there for having 
>> a carry-on that can transition straight from the airport to a bicycle rear 
>> rack. Does anyone have any experience with this bag or similar products? 
>> Thanks in advance.
>> Robert Blunt 
>> Pennington, NJ
>>
>> -- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
>> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
>> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAGTQPx81cR4sSdH%2BxpTbbVE-o%2BfkT3p6ew9nU0brEhSZRSasEQ%40mail.gmail.com
>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-02-28 Thread Matthew Rebmann 
I have a couple of their panniers as well as a trunk bag and a hip pack 
from them. I daily wear the hip pack and it's pretty worse for wear after 
one year but I beat the ever living crap out of it (it's their ecopak 
material.) I've had two of the Route Panniers 24L bags for probably 2-3 
years now for commuting to work and they've been great, made of cordura. I 
can't attest to their durability on a grueling tour but I really like them 
and haven't had any excessive wear or leaks. Their customer service is also 
fantastic and very responsive. 

On another note: Last year they sent out a 3rd party survey and I decided 
to fill it out on a whim. At the end of it, it asked if I had anything else 
I'd like to mention. I told them I was in the market for a nice trunk bag 
with a roll top closure and to my surprise, I got a return email direct 
from them (less than two days later) letting me know they had some old 
stock I could buy or I could order a custom bag from them. I went with the 
custom and the turn around was VERY fast. 

Are they the best bags out there? I can't say. Are they good quality? 
Absolutely and they seem to be some great folks in my experience.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:07:25 AM UTC-5 Robert Tilley wrote:

> I used the Arkel Bug backpack pannier for years and I really liked it. I 
> would use it an a pannier on my morning commute and then use it as a 
> backpack for riding the trails on my way home.
>
> It worked great as a pannier which is a given since the Arkel mounting 
> system is really well done. It also was very comfortable as a backpack. 
> Mine did not have a sternum strap but that proved to not be an issue.
>
> I used it pretty roughly and it is still as good as new. It looks to be 
> 25L which may be too small for what you need.
>
> [image: bike-convertible-pannier-bug-arkel-grey.jpg]
>
> Bug - Pannier Backpack 
> arkel.ca 
> 
>
> Robert Tilley
> San Diego, CA
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 27, 2024, at 4:14 PM, Robert Blunt  wrote:
>
> 
>
> Greetings everyone,
> I am going to cycle the Zuiderzee bicycle route in the Netherlands in 
> April (400km) and am trying to figure out the best way to go straight from 
> the airport to the bike rental place without dragging a suitcase and all 
> the hassle entailed with that. I am definitely packing in a minimalist 
> fashion and am interested in the various offerings of backpack panniers. It 
> will be a three week trip and the 32 liter North St. Bags Woodward 
> backpack pannier seems like one of the better options out there for having 
> a carry-on that can transition straight from the airport to a bicycle rear 
> rack. Does anyone have any experience with this bag or similar products? 
> Thanks in advance.
> Robert Blunt 
> Pennington, NJ
>
> -- 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit 
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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[RBW] Experience with North Street Bags backpack panniers?

2024-02-27 Thread Robert Blunt 
Greetings everyone,
I am going to cycle the Zuiderzee bicycle route in the Netherlands in April
(400km) and am trying to figure out the best way to go straight from the
airport to the bike rental place without dragging a suitcase and all the
hassle entailed with that. I am definitely packing in a minimalist fashion
and am interested in the various offerings of backpack panniers. It will be
a three week trip and the 32 liter North St. Bags Woodward backpack pannier
seems like one of the better options out there for having a carry-on that
can transition straight from the airport to a bicycle rear rack. Does
anyone have any experience with this bag or similar products? Thanks in
advance.
Robert Blunt
Pennington, NJ

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