SIERRA SL PANNIERS (Pair)

Bicycle panniers have been around forever and there are some very developed designs out there. However, many of those designs are from the era of heavily-loaded road touring, when riders carried so much weight that an extra few pounds for the bags themselves simply didn’t matter. Modern camping gear is small and light, and this means that panniers can go on a diet as well to keep overall rig weight down. The attachment mechanisms commonly seen on panniers are due for improvement as well. Enter the Sierra SuperLight Panniers.

FEATURES = BENEFITS:

• Simple, light, durable construction = keeps bike weight down and access easy

• Extremely solid attachment = quiet, tight, rattle-free ride

• Clever strap-and-buckle system instead of hooks for upper attachment = very secure, very durable (this VH-original invention has been directly copied by a large competitor - but it’s only original once!)

• Internal framesheet = gives structure and keeps rear panel firmly against rack

• Roll top closure with sleek downward fastening = simple, weatherproof, and durable

• Slim form factor and high ride location = provides great clearance for trail obstacles and is unobtrusive for hike-a-bike

• Externally reinforced main straps with internal heavy-duty attachment = better weight capacity and excellent durability

• Built with weatherproof materials and closures = your cargo is protected

• Truly artisan-level design and build quality = beautiful gear that lasts with elevated function and reliability

DISADVANTAGES:

• Relatively small-volume panniers: Only a disadvantage if you need massive gear haulers

• Not 100% waterproof: built with weatherproof materials, but it is a sewn product, so in heavy downpours dampness may show at the seams

• Craftsmanship like this doesn’t come cheap

Choose In-Stock or Build-to-Spec.

IN-STOCK: I keep as much gear built and ready to ship as possible.

BUILD-TO-SPEC: Click here for current lead time. If nothing’s in stock or you want a different color, Build-to-Spec is an option. This costs a bit more because your gear isn’t built as part of a batch. Choose one or two colors at checkout. Available color swatches are shown in the photostream - in order shown, left to right: Black, Cayenne, Ocean Blue, Evergreen, Goldenrod, Coyote Brown, Dark Camo, Olive Green, Marigold, Matrix Gray, Slate Gray, Red, Electric Blue, Southwest Turquoise, Deep Purple, Blaze Orange, Lime Green.

WEIGHT: 1 lb, 13oz/820g for the pair, true measured

VOLUME: 20L for the pair, true measured

DIMENSIONS: 10”W x 5”D x 12-17”H (each side)

LOAD CAPACITY: 15lbs max per side

ORIGIN: 100% built by Venture Handmade in the USA. Majority of material is recycled and made in the USA.

COMPATIBILITY: The Sierra SL’s are compatible with many racks, both rear and front. Known compatible racks: Relentless Mule, Salsa Alternator, Salsa Wanderlust, most Surly racks, many Tubus racks, many Old Man Mountain racks. If you’re not sure, look at the diagram in the photostream, and use the following specs to make certain the SuperLights will work on your rack:

• Upper straps, outside-to-outside measurement: 6.5"

• Upper straps, inside-to-inside measurement: 3.5" (use these two measurements to check for rack deck crossbar interference)

• Minimum height from any upper rail of rack to lower rail of rack: 11.5”

• Maximum height from any upper rail of rack to lower rail of rack: 15.5”

VIDEO: See above for video instructions.

STEP-BY-STEP:

• The Sierra SL’s install to your rack with two straps on the top and one strap on the bottom of each pannier.

• Attach the top straps first. The webbing and alloy buckle lay over the upper rail of your rack. The velcro straps come from the bottom and pass through the alloy buckles before fastening back to the velcro on the back of the bag. THE VELCRO STRAPS DO NOT PASS OVER THE RACK RAIL - ONLY THE WEBBING AND BUCKLE DO. Pull the velcro straps tightly through the alloy buckles before fastening.

• Finally, thread the lower strap around the lower rail of your rack, fasten the buckle, and cinch tightly. Roll the excess strap up to the buckle and restrain with the built-in velcro keeper.

• Properly installed, the Sierras will be very tightly fastened to your rack with virtually zero movement between the back panel and rack.

FREE SHIPPING in the Lower 48! For details on shipping and returns, click here.

What I do, why I do it, and the way it’s done:

• I’ve been working in the bicycle industry since 1997 and hand-building gear for bicycles since 2010. A lot has changed over the years, but what’s remained the same is my motivation. I’m still here, still innovating, still building, and still believing in American craftsmanship.

• My process is human-scale and analog, not corporate and digital. I’m not intentionally a throwback; that's just the way life makes sense to me. I can’t help but push back on a modern age obsessed with technology, externalization, and efficiency at all costs… a world that increasingly feels inhuman. Working with my hands and conversing with my customers is good for me, good for customers, provides purpose, and supports my family. I count that as a win.

If you feel like reading, here's a proper manifesto.