Arkel T-42 rear panniers

The T-42 is Arkel’s most popular pannier set. The T-42s have a total capacity of 2550 cubic inches per pair and share many features of their bigger brother, the GT-54. Besides the two large main compartments there are 4 spacious outside pockets and two side mesh pockets. The T-42s are designed to be rear panniers. The front panniers designed to go with them are the model T-28.

Each T-42 main compartment measures about 14” tall, 5.5” deep and 13” wide at the top, tapering down to 10.5” wide at the bottom. The main compartment 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.

T-42 panniers have 3 outside pockets per side, two standard pockets with zipper closures and one mesh pocket with an elastic top. The standard pockets are on the top and trailing side of each bag, while the mesh pockets are on the front flap of each main compartment. The mesh pockets have reinforced bottoms and are held closed with a flap, strap and buckle system that does double duty as compression and stabilization for the main compartment of each pannier.

The T-42s uses the same frame and attachment system that is consistent across all Arkel’s panniers, and has some new features for 2007. This starts with an HDPE (polyethylene plastic) frame sheet that forms the backbone of the bag. There is an aluminum rod frame at the top of the main compartment, and an HDPE shelf at the bottom, both of which give the pannier shape and keep it from sagging when in use, while still allowing the pannier body to fold up when in storage. Connected to the main frame sheet is the new Arkel Cam-Lock Attachment System. This consists of an aluminum channel, two beefy aluminum hooks that are adjustable side-to-side to fit almost any bike rack, and a stout bungee cord and s-hook to hold the bottom of the bag firmly against the bike rack. The final element of the system is a pair of spring-loaded cams that work with the two aluminum hooks to securely grab the rack, just like a thumb and fingers. These cams are attached to a webbing handle. Pulling up on the handle opens the cams, so getting the pannier on and off is a snap, but the panniers are still extremely secure and won’t bounce off the rack while riding. Altogether a brilliant design. 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.

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.