Dutch Shopping Pannier Review

Dutch Shopping Pannier

Dutch Shopping Pannier ReviewThis is one of those simple ideas that leaves you wondering why we aren’t all using something similar on a daily basis.It’s a semi-rigid pannier that fits a standard bicycle rack,but instead of buckles and belts,it simply hooks over the frame,hanging much like a conventional pannier by gravity alone. You might expect it to jump off or blow around in the wind,but it doesn’t seem to.

As it only takes a few seconds to lift the pannier on and off the bike,it can be carried into the shops or into the office as a bag or briefcase,then plopped back on the bike,carried home,and straight indoors.No clumsy, time consuming loading and unloading, no ‘double-handling’ collateral damage to delicate items,and a quick getaway assured.

The pannier measures a reasonable 30cm deep by 38cm long and 17cm wide,giving a capacity of about 19 litres.No,we don’t know what that means either.But think of it as about one foot square by 6 inches deep,if that helps,or in terms of supermarket shopping, eight four-pint milk containers.

Dutch Shopping Pannier Review

Note the carrying strap and simple clamps.The Velcro does very little

In practice, the capacity is closer to four milk containers, because the pannier closes with a zip,and if you over-fill it,you can’t do the zip up.This put us off using it on a daily basis for serious shopping,but it remains a firm favourite for the post run,and popping out for odd bits and pieces.Being safely over A4 size, it’s ideal for business meetings,and surprisingly stylish.And for less than £20,it’s pretty good value,even if you only use it occasionally. We’d like to see it redesigned with a couple of integral bungees instead of a zip,and some reflective stripes would be nice, but don’t let that put you off – it’s a useful and practical accessory.

Dutch Shopping Pannier £16.85 (inc post & packing) . DutchBike  mail enquiries@dutchbike.co.uk tel 0031 20 6123819

A to B 59 – April 07

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