Week 2 - No Bikes At Work Day
April 4th, 2008
In my official role as chief cycleography dude I hereby declare this, and all future Fridays, No Bikes At Work Day. Fridays are for the pub and other such religious ceremonies like 2 hour lunches.
That’s no physical bikes. That doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to look at bike related stuff, which is good because I got an email from the nice folks at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative this morning linking to some rather smart looking touring panniers.
Now I’m not the type to get all giddy and weak at the knees when looking at bags and the like but these are some pretty serious looking bits of kit.
First to catch my eye was the Arkel (no relation to the famous race horse which was spelt Arkle) Big Bar Bag (pictured right). I already own a bar bag in the shape of the Altura Orkney Bar Bag (pictured below left) but having had some issues with that while I was cycling round the Western Isles of Scotland last year, I’m in the market for a new bar bag.
Indestructible I think was a phrase that was used to describe the Altura Orkney Bar Bag when I was looking at it on their website. However, on only the 3rd day of my trip, the damn thing managed to break free from it’s mount having sheared two of the four screws that it was held on with. I managed to rig up some crazy tether to hold it on using the handy carry strap which thankfully held out better than the crappy screws. I should probably have sent it back with a stroppy letter when I got back but hey ho, I’ll put it down to experience.
If the spiel about the Arkel bag is to be believed then this is the bag I’ve been looking for. For instance…
Arkel are so proud of their overdesign ethos, they call their website arkel-od.com - i.e. od for overdesigns.
Arkel overbuild their bags in Canada. Every piece of fabric and every component used in every bag is manufactured in North America. That way, Arkel can be confident that there are none better made, and you can be confident that the bag will last forever.
Made in Canada using all-North American materials
Arkel overbuild their bags in Canada. That way, Arkel can be confident that there are none better made, and you can be confident that the bag will last forever.Swooping Aluminum Clamps
Arkel’s unique polished and hard anodized aluminum brackets are not only the strongest ever to be created, they are also incredibly smooth, so they will blend in with the fanciest bike.Stainless Steel Bag Clips
The aluminium clamps mate with stainless steel clip-plates on back of the bag.Polyethylene Shell
The bag’s skeleton is an unbreakable polyethylene shell reinforced with 6061-T6 aluminium rods - crash insurance for your camera.Clear Map Case with Waterproof Zip
The waterproof map holder is one of the biggest and most versatile to ever grace a handlebar bag.Mesh Side Pockets
The perfect place to stash shades and mitts.LED Tab and Reflective Strip
Be seen!Pocket Under the Hood
Opening the water-resistant zip reveals a ’secret’ pocketRemovable Waterproof Liner
Being bright yellow, it’s easier to find stuff at the bottom of the bag.Drain Hole at the Bottom
Who’s never spilled a drink?
Check out the full spiel over at the Edinburgh Bikes site.
If you think that’s some serious spiel, just wait til you see what they say about the Arkel GT54 Grand Touring Panniers. Strictly speaking I’m not looking for panniers as the Altura Orkney Panniers I got at the same time as my bar bag actually held up really well. I was really quite impressed with them and they’re still being used most days without any issues. But when you compare them to these Arkel GT54 beasties they pale into insignificance!
I wont even bother listing the various bits of spiel, I’m sure you can imagine. I’ll just quote this one bit.
‘These panniers are going to make me very happy for a very long time if not for the rest of my life.’
They’re not cheap but if they work like they say they do then they might just be worth it. I can feel a trip to Edinburgh Cycles coming on, even if only to have a look see and try a few bikes for size 
4 Responses to “Week 2 - No Bikes At Work Day”
By runography on Apr 15, 2008
any bike useage stories?
By admin on Apr 15, 2008
yep, been busy with work the last couple of weeks though so not had much of a chance to post. will be some updates soon though.
By runography on Apr 15, 2008
Looking forward to it. Any plans to enter any races?
By admin on Apr 15, 2008
Not at the moment. Although I did discover the Audax UK site which looks interesting. I might enter a couple of their events once I get my mileage up (quite a way to go yet though).