Tailwind Panniers

[Marty]

One of my recent project bikes came with a set of Tailwind Panniers. I just had a chance to take a closer look at them, and was pretty impressed with a few details. Aside from the aerodynamic qualities (a quick search mentioned they were wind-tunnel tested to improve aerodynamics by 7%?) the integration of the mounting system with the rack is really quite impressive. They are designed for a traditional Blackburn rear rack - the one with three struts supporting the platform. (And the one that itself was integrated to the Trek 620 it came on.)  The front "fairing" end matches up with the front of the platform exactly, and the three "hangers" secure the bag to the rack solidly. Very simple bags, with a very simple mounting system. Smart!

The panniers themselves are basic, basic, basic. One compartment. One zipper. Little spring-loaded pins keep the bag on the rack, but are really not needed. Wide reflective stripe on each side. Inner reinforcement keeps the shape aero.  Look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32306142@N07/6205566557/in/photostream

Marty

[Jim Cloud]

I'd say you got quite a deal to have purchased both the His n' Hers of
these bikes for $200.00! The panniers are interesting, I remember
when they came on the market. There was a period when some of the
U.S. manufacturers of bicycle panniers seemed to be quite interested
in making them aerodynamic. One manufacturer made an integrated front
fairing and pannier system with a windscreen, pretty tech (I'm not
sure if these actually got on the market, but they were shown in some
of the manufacturer's literature).

Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ