Arkel 2006 GT-18BP front/rear single pannier

Pictures: Red , Black , Blue

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Sizes/colors
Item	Availability	Order
Black	in stock

Note: this is a single pannier, not a pair of panniers. It is sold that way so you have the option to combine one GT-18BP with one standard GT-18, the non-backpack version of this pannier. Or you can buy 2 GT-18s to make a pair, or 2 GT-18BPs.

Arkel’s GT-18BP panniers are designed as front panniers to go with their GT-54 rear panniers. The GT-18BP has a capacity of 1100 cubic inches per pannier, and a pair of GT-18BPs works just fine as rear panniers if the volume you need to carry is small enough. The GT-18/GT-54 combination gives you enough total storage volume and enough pockets to organize the gear for even the most elaborate cross-continent cycling expedition. The GT-18BP weighs 2.1 pounds per pannier. Other than the conversion to a backpack of the GT-18BP, this pannier and the standard GT-18 are identical.

The GT-18BP has one main compartment and three pockets, one of which is mesh. The main compartment is roughly 14” tall, 10” wide and 4” deep, and is accessed through a zipper that reaches completely up one side, across the top and down the other side. It is a simple matter to reach objects at the bottom of the main compartment without unloading it first. The main compartment has an integrated drybag inside, which adds a second layer of water resistance to keep your gear dry in the rain. When you don’t need the extra protection, the drybag neatly rolls up out of the way.

Pocket #1, largest of the 3 outside pockets, is on the front of the pannier’s main compartment. It measures about 11” high by 8” wide by 1” deep, and opens through a zipper that wraps around the top and both sides, just like the main compartment. The second of the 3 pockets is on top of the pannier, is somewhat barrel shaped and measures about 9.5” long by 3” wide by 2” tall, and opens through a zipper across it’s top. The last pocket is mostly mesh, opens on the top with an elastic strip to keep objects inside, and measures roughly 9” tall by 8” wide. It is attached to the front of pocket #1.

The GT-18BP uses the same frame and attachment system that is consistent across all Arkel’s panniers. This starts with an HDPE (polyethylene plastic) frame sheet that forms the backbone of the bag. Connected to this is the famous Arkel Attachment System. This consists of an aluminum channel, two beefy aluminum hooks that are adjustable side-to-side to fit almost any bike rack, a stout bungee cord and s-hook to hold the bottom of the bag firmly against the bike rack, and an aluminum swivelling lock to keep everything in place. The Arkel company uses aluminum for all the key elements in this system, because they find aluminum to be strong, rigid, and durable. Arkel guarantees their bags for life, so using materials that won’t break or fail somewhere out on the road is very important to them. Other people seem to agree, because Arkel sells the attachment system by itself and it is one of the most popular methods used for building home-made panniers.

The backpack conversion feature of the GT-18BP is very handy—you can quickly remove the pannier from your bike, unstow the backpack straps, and carry the bag on your back while you are shopping or touring on foot away from your bike. Once you return, the straps quickly stow away again and the bag returns to functioning like a standard pannier. The backpack straps are hidden under two cloth flaps held shut by velcro strips when the bag is in “pannier mode”.

All the materials used to construct Arkel panniers are top quality. The bag itself is constructed from coated Cordura, a fabric that is waterproof, very abrasion and puncture resistant, and almost impossible to tear. All zippers are YKK with die-cast nickel sliders. Arkel guarantees the workmanship and manufacturing of their bags for life. This guarantee covers any problems with fabric, seams, mounts, hardware, and bungees caused by defective materials or construction, but does not cover normal wear and tear.

Specifications
Our part number	3233425  Black