Panniers can be fitted to most bikes вЂ“ although it is a much better experience to fit panniers to bikes that are designed for it. Laptop Compartment: Top opening | Padded | 12' H | 11' L | Flat W | Headspace: 3' when rolled.

Bag Material: 600D Polyester with PU coating on surface and TPU backing, 70D Polyester lining.Size: 18' rolled - 23' unrolled H | 12' W | 6' D.ItвЂ™ll be a case of deciding whether or not the modest capacity is sufficient for your needs. The Chrome Industries Urban Ex 2.0 Pannier's rugged styling, practical carrying options and lifetime warranty all support of the hefty expenditure, even if they donвЂ™t fully justify it. Brooks offers a two-year warranty, Arkel a lifetime and Ortlieb a five-year (plus one year on any repairs carried out). Looking at warranties may help justify it- ChromeвЂ™s has a lifetime one. With an RRP of ВЈ158/$170, ChromeвЂ™s is exceptionally expensive. Comparable options include BrooksвЂ™ Suffolk Rear Pannier (opens in new tab) with an RRP of ВЈ105/$150, ArkelвЂ™sВ ВЈ127.50/$209.99 Commuter Urban Pannier (opens in new tab) and OrtliebвЂ™s ВЈ85/$140 Roller Back Urban Line (opens in new tab). Robust, 100% waterproof panniers donвЂ™t come cheap. In my opinion, the innovative magnet (superior to a Velcro closure) and multiple carry options make this a great off-the-bike bag too, more so than most other panniers. Off the bike, I rarely closed the roll-top the magnet closure serves a purpose here and you have two very comfy options for carrying, simultaneously increasing capacity (by not rolling it down). A strong pair of magnets are positioned (inside seams) at the opening of the bag, it вЂclicksвЂ™ closed when you are using the two internally placed carry handles.ДЄccess while the pannier is mounted is quick and simple. The variety of carry options is refreshing and convenient. The rail hooks are 'manual'- itвЂ™s not a lift and release arrangement. ItвЂ™s certainly not a pannier for bulky groceries itвЂ™s narrow profile rules out getting more than four or five bigger items in it. YouвЂ™ll only be getting 17l in if the kitвЂ™s malleable- so clothing, or if items are very small. ItвЂ™s easy to see how the Urban Ex 2.0 will appeal to office-based workers and professionals.Д¬hrome suggests a 12l-17l capacity.

The smaller sleeves and pen pockets make for an organised desk inside the pannier. For me, a wider sleeve would be preferable - even just stretching to 14in devices would be a big improvement. Internal padding is excellent for tablets and smaller laptops. Contents are very well protected from the elements. The Urban Ex 2.0 has been out with me in a variety of conditions. For more information, head to the Chrome Industries website.Chrome Industries Urban Ex Pannier 2.0: the ride ItвЂ™s an extra bit of weight that I am prepared to carry for their stealthy looks (read: no reflective hits) around town, but IвЂ™ll leave them at home on a more serious tour.ДЎ0/10 for construction, looks and durability. The panniers are bundled with an additional frame for each bag that bolts onto your standard rack. I could fit my camera bag inside there, which is a bulky unit, but I got a jacket in there as well as the usual kit. TheyвЂ™re a lot more slim than the Ortlieb bags. ThatвЂ™s an advantage if youвЂ™ve got a meeting or are going out for dinner.ДЄn additional shoulder strap is included and thereвЂ™s an integrated padded sleeve for a 15вЂі laptop, which sold them for me. The main drawcard of the Knurled Weldedв„ў panniers is that off the bike, they are hardware-free, meaning that they pass as executive holdalls and can be carried comfortably and stylishly after youвЂ™ve locked the bike up. The welds are tested to hold up to 25 kilos (55 lbs). The fabric used is 600-denier nylon which is still going to hold together if it goes sliding down the road. The first thing that impressed me about ChromeвЂ™s Knurled Weldedв„ў panniers was their construction. Really wish I brought them along when I rode that damn On One il Pompino down to Melbourne. When I moved south, Sasha at Pony Bikes sorted me out with some Ortlieb panniers and I havenвЂ™t looked back. When I lived closer to town I was happy to carry my gear in a messenger bag. Thankfully, the tallest elevation is the Captain Cook Bridge. I still work in the CBD of Sydney so, needless to say, itвЂ™s a good stretch for a commute, making up a 60kmh round trip. They recently released their Knurled Weldedв„ў range of waterproof rolltops and, needing serious equipment for a serious commute, I was keen to test their mettle.Д¬ycle EXIFвЂ™s home base is just over 30 kilometres south of Sydney in the beachside suburb of Cronulla. San FranвЂ™s Chrome Industries create portage and apparel for the daily rider without compromise on construction or quality.

Chrome waterroof panniers