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Anyone travelling by bike with more or less luggage needs practical bike bags with good functions. A pannier with plenty of storage space is just the thing for a short bike trip at the weekend. A flexible solution with inner pockets is recommended for the journey to work.
The German brand Forrider from Berlin - three men and one woman - offer a small range of bike bags for exactly this purpose. We took a look at four different versions and took them with us: to the gym, to the office, for a swim at the lake...
The Forrider models are the Forrider Pro pannier rack bag (in black), the Forrider 3in1 Urban Explorer bike bag (in black) and two double-coloured models, one as a 3in1 variant and as Basic. This much can be said in advance: for the price, you get very good bags that make a robust and durable impression. Tip: The products are even cheaper in the brand's own Amazon shop than on the company website!
The Forrider 3in1 Urban Explorer pannier (black)
The top bike bag from Forrider - if you like - is the 3in1 Urban Explorer. However, associations with exorbitant prices do not apply in this case. The pannier, which doubles as a rucksack or shoulder bag, is available for 63 euros.
Thanks to an integrated system of carrier holder and stowable (shoulder) straps, the Forrider 3in1 is ideal for commuting. The bag can be removed from the carrier in a maximum of 30 seconds and sits comfortably on your shoulders as a rucksack. However, you should remove the small Velcro strap with which the pannier can be attached to the bottom of the carrier beforehand, otherwise it will pinch or chafe your back.
All weathers are catered for: everything stays dry in the bag because it is made of virtually indestructible PVC tarpaulin and the seams are welded. Forrider calls this the "WaterBlock 3.0 System" and literally invites you to "do the shower test".
The pannier rack mounts - called the "Quicksafe Carrying System" - are functional and suitable for different tube thicknesses on the pannier rack thanks to the included inserts. The good thing here is that you don't have to carry the pannier by the release loop itself, as is sometimes the case with other manufacturers. The only thing that requires a bit of dexterity is the flap behind which the holder disappears in rucksack mode, as it also covers the loop on the pannier rack.
With a volume of 27 litres, you have plenty of space and can either store everything you need for your next shopping trip, take your swimming gear and provisions with you or quickly pack whatever else you need to take with you. Practical features of this 3in1 model from Forrider include the waterproof front pocket and the small mesh compartment on the side, for example for bike lights. The self-measured weight of 1370 grams is fine, but the PVC material is very dimensionally stable and robust.
I didn't use the shoulder strap because the bag is too big and, above all, too high for me. If you could attach the strap to the bottom and carry the bag cross-body, that would be better. This applies to all the bags shown.
Forrider 3in1 pannier (two-coloured)
In terms of colour, the second Forrider 3in1 bike bag very different from the matt black one. In terms of construction, they have the rucksack function and the concealed luggage carrier system in common. So the same applies as above. The light-coloured part of the bag is apparently made of a slightly more flexible lorry tarpaulin, at least the roll-top fastener is a little less bulky to close.
The two-coloured bike bag also has no back padding. However, you hardly miss this, as you shouldn't be carrying one of these bags around all day as a daypack. When worn as a rucksack, the lower strap of the two-coloured bag also gets in the way, as it secures the bag to the carrier and cannot be removed.
A padded inner laptop bag for devices up to 16 inches is attached to the 3in1 panniers with Velcro fasteners. With additional small pockets on top, this is a useful addition for the commute to work and keeps your luggage compartment organised. This version of the Forrider 3in1 bike bag weighs 1420 grams - including the laptop bag.
Data on the Forrider 3in1 (Urban Explorer) pannier
- Volume: 27 l
- Dimensions (rolled up): 33 x 18 x 48 cm
- Dimensions (unrolled): 33 x 18 x 58 cm
- Material: PVC, lorry tarpaulin
- max. Ø luggage carrier: 16 mm
- Distance between holder and bottom of bag: 30 cm
- Highlights: Backpack function // Shoulder strap // Front compartment, waterproof // Padded inner laptop pocket for up to 16 inch laptops // Mesh pocket on the outside
- Price: 62.99 Euro (RRP) >> available here at a reduced price
Forrider Basic pannier rack bag (two-coloured)
In our case, the black and red Forrider Basic pannier is the smallest of the bags shown here with a volume of 22 litres. However, this is enough for most trips in the city, for shopping, for a ride to the gym or a short country trip on the bike at the weekend. It is also designed to be waterproof and has the Quicksafe carrying system from Forrider.
The Forrider Basic is fully optimised for cycling. On the one hand, the grippers of the holding system can be adjusted much further than on the 3in1 models. On the other hand, instead of a strap, there is an equally well and widely adjustable angle that fixes the pannier securely to the struts of the luggage carrier.
Inside there is a small mesh pocket for keys or wallet, large reflective elements (Forrider logo) ensure visibility on both outer sides. The material of the bag is the same as the others. At 970 grams, it is significantly lighter than the previous bike bags with backpack function and at 42 euros (35,99 Euro at Amazon) also cheaper.
Data on the two-coloured Forrider Basic pannier rack bag
- Volume: 22 l
- Dimensions (rolled up): 30 x 14 x 38 cm
- Dimensions (unrolled): 30 x 14 x 51 cm
- Material: PVC, lorry tarpaulin
- max. Ø luggage carrier: 18 mm
- Distance between holder and bottom of bag: 30 cm
- Highlights: Shoulder strap // Inner mesh pocket with zip
- Price: 41.99 Euro (RRP) >> available here at a reduced price
Luggage carrier bag Forrider Pro
The Forrider Pro pannier rack bag is probably the most classic in terms of shape and features. While all previous models were square in shape, the Pro pannier tapers slightly towards the bottom - like most classic panniers. The Quicksafe carrying system is like that of the Forrider Basic. A plastic scuff guard on the inside bottom edge of the bag protects it even more against contact with luggage racks or other bike components.
The Forrider Pro pannier has a little more space for luggage - 25 litres - because it can be rolled out a little higher than the Basic model. The roll-up fastener is also closed the other way round: The adjustable part of the strap comes from the back.
Despite its higher volume, it is slightly lighter and weighs 940 grams. The smooth PVC material is even somewhat stiffer, making it more robust and it can be cleaned in no time at all. There is no inner pocket. But the largest reflectors on both sides.
- Volume: 25 l
- Dimensions (rolled up): 32 x 15 x 40 cm
- Dimensions (unrolled): 32 x 15 x 56 cm
- Material: PVC, lorry tarpaulin
- max. Ø luggage carrier: 16 mm
- Distance between holder and bottom of bag: 34 cm
- Highlights: Shoulder strap
- Price: 42.99 Euro (RRP) >> available here at a reduced price
Marc Strucken
Editor
