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review

Altura Arc 20 Roll Top Pannier

8
£44.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Practical and tough pannier that's just the right size for everyday commuting
Weight: 
610g
Contact: 

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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The Altura Arc 20 Roll Top Pannier is a mid-sized pannier created specifically with commuting in mind and is tough, fully waterproof and straightforward in design. It's a no-fuss, no-frills, day-to-day carrying solution.

If your bike has a rack, panniers are a handy way of tackling the day to day requirements of commuting. Many traditional panniers are designed more with touring in mind, and can be quite large for the job of transporting a change of clothes, shoes and a laptop and papers, but not so the Arc 20.

> Find your nearest dealer here

As the name suggests, it's a simple 20L roll-top affair, with a board at the back to stiffen the side facing the bike, plus reflective bits and bobs.

Altura Arc Roll Top Pannier 20 Litre - from back.jpg

Sold singly rather than as a pair, the Arc 20 is made from tough waterproof fabric, using ultrasonic welding for low weight and to help retain a waterproof construction. Thanks to that waterproof fabric and the Velcro and roll-top closure, the contents of the bag stayed dry through a variety of exciting spring weather including deluges.

Altura Arc Roll Top Pannier 20 Litre - reflective.jpg

The main body of the pack will take a 15.6in laptop easily, although as there's no padding, you'd want that in a protective case of some sort, but even then there's still space for shoes and spare clothes.

Given that the primary use of a pannier of this size is likely to be either for commuting or general about-town errands, the inclusion of some sort of pocket for keys, phone and so on would have been useful, but is sadly lacking.

> Check out our guide to racks and panniers here

The pannier rack fitments are high quality Rixen Kaul, designed to be usable on a variety of rack tube dimensions from 6mm to 15mm. A sliding and rotating lever at the bottom enables the bag to be used on either side and helps secure the bag to the rack at any forward/back change of position.

Altura Arc Roll Top Pannier 20 Litre - back.jpg

The fitments are easy to use and adjust, and the pannier is stable when on, whether fully laden or virtually empty. A webbing carrying handle joins onto the fixtures area, making the bag both easy to remove and easy to carry when off the bike.

The Arc 20 comes in a good bit lighter than many waterproof panniers, such as the Lomo Dry that Steph Mann tested last year and the Altura Night Vision 20. There's also an Arc 15 for smaller loads.

It's a well-made and tough bag, providing good protection against the elements, and it's not a bad price for what you get in terms of quality components and fabric. For anyone looking for a reliable and safe commuter pannier, this will do the job well.

Verdict

Practical and tough pannier that's just the right size for everyday commuting

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Arc 20 Roll Top Pannier

Size tested: 20 litre

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?

Aimed at those looking for a mid-sized waterproof pannier.

Spot on for commuters.

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

Ultrasonic welded seams with roll top closure to ensure a fully waterproof pannier.

* Welded seam construction

* Roll top closure

* PE board for back panel support

* Rixen Kaul™ Vario Hook System

* Strategically located retroreflective trims for increased visibility

* 10KG weight limit inc. pack and contents (each pannier)

* Volume: 20 Litre

* Weight: 0.62 kg

* Dimensions: 40 x 38 x 20cm

 

Vario Hook System:

The hooks can be adjusted to suit rack tube diameters from 6mm to 15mm by adjusting the screw in the hook. Comes with the centre lock fixture, and adjustable lower pannier catch.

Vario Pressure Hook System:

Self adjust pressure fit hook system suits racks 6mm to 16mm diameter. Just push the pannier onto the rack and secure the centre lock fixture and lower pannier catch in place.

KLICKfix Hook Sytem:

The KLICKfix system comes with inserts to fit 8mm, 10mm or 12mm tubing.

Available in red or grey

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Extremely well made from high quality waterproof fabric with ultrasonic welding and top spec Rixen Kaul fixtures.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

As a tough and waterproof mid-sized pannier it performed extremely well.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No problems with wear and tear and seems very good quality.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

It's not designed to be light, but it's not that heavy either.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Pretty good value when compared with similar specced panniers.

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

Easy to use, and kept contents dry.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Quality, ease of adjustment of fittings.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Could have done with a pocket of some sort.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, particularly an all-weathers commuter.

Use this box to explain your score

It's very good: a well-made, straightforward, tough, waterproof pannier. Useful for all sorts, including short tours, shopping and commuting.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

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, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

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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1 comments

Avatar
Pub bike | 7 years ago
0 likes

Ortlieb back roller city is cheaper for a pair, has better fittings, reflective details front and rear, and weighs only  a few hundred grammes more.  Adjustable straps would improve the Ortlieb bags though.

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