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review

Avenir Double Pannier Deluxe

7
£35.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Rugged, easy to use, good value double pannier, that's ideal for commuting or short tours, but slightly let down by zips
Weight: 
1,347g
Contact: 
www.raleigh.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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A medium sized fixed double pannier, the Avenir Double Pannier Deluxe is best suited to commuting or around-town errands riding, although it’s also a rugged and inexpensive option for those who travel light or for weekend touring.

Made from tough 600D nylon, and weighing 1320g, this is not a lightweight pannier set-up. But, what it lacks in this area, it definitely makes up for in durability. This is a pannier that you could happily attach to the bike and leave in place for a season. Whilst not inherently waterproof, the fabric does repel water and road dirt nicely. Build quality is good too, especially for the price, with the exception of the slightly cheap feeling, non-free moving zips, which let the bags down slightly.

In addition to the main zipped compartment , there are three zipped pockets on each side, of varying sizes. Some are more useful than others. The main zipped compartments are a reasonable size, capable of accommodating a shackle lock or a pair of men’s shoes, and one side contains a small integral drawstring mesh bag. The volume would be insufficient for more than a weekend’s touring in my opinion, but would definitely cater for that length of time.

The panniers fix to any rear rack with ease, via hooks and six simple webbing straps with plastic buckles. They fix securely, in fact so much so that to remove them at the shops, or on arrival at work is fiddly and you’d be tempted to leave them be, removing your belongings from the bags instead. If you do decide to wrestle with the six straps and buckles, then there’s a comfortable carrying handle in the middle of the top, allowing easy carriage of the whole bag.

Masses of reflective tape and piping enhance the usability of the panniers for commuting and year round riding, and there’s a fastening point for a rear LED light on one of the pockets.

Verdict

Rugged and easy to use double pannier, ideally suited to commuting and errands. Good value for money, but let down slightly by the quality of the zips.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Avenir Double Pannier Deluxe

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

They say 'This deluxe double pannier is a serious piece of kit, ideal for touring, robust, spacious and simple to fit.'

It is definitely robust and very easy to fit, although tricky enough that you'd probably leave the bags on all the time.

It isn't really spacious enough for tours longer than a weekend, and only just big enough for a decent shopping trip.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Made from 600D Nylon

Reflective piping and trim

Attachment point for LED rear light

Padded carrying handle at top.

Attaches to rack via hooks and 6 webbing straps with buckles.

2 zipped main compartments, 1 with mesh drawstring bag

6 zipped pockets.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10

On the whole, construction is very good, but let down by cheap feeling snaggy zips throughout.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performs very well as a commuter and errands pannier set up.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Very durable. Although let down by the quality of the zips.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10

A fairly hefty pannier. A bit on the weighty side for touring.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Good value for money for a durable and robust workaday pannier.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed well as a general purpose pannier, but on the small side for anything longer than easy weekend touring.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Price, reflectivity, ease of attachment.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Zips.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, for commuting and general errands.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Hardwearing and good value for money but better for workaday use than hardcore touring.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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