BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Bikebiz.co.uk happend upon Arkel pannier bags at Interbike, Las Vegas in October.
Specialising in manufacturing tough touring bags, Arkel is a 10-person company that has been trading since 1988.
Check out the company’s website for the full specs on these bomb-proof bags but here’s just a few hidden extras: the top-end expedition bags feature tough two-ways zips but should one fail (on a trip round the world, for instance) you can partially dismantle the bag to release another zip tag already attached to zip runner. And the top-end bags also boast hidden sewing kits to make on-the-road repairs. Butterfly pockets pop off and can be attached to waist belts.
The handlebar bag attaches with Arkel’s own CNC-machined aluminium struts.
If you’ve got any customers into top-end touring, these bags will make them salivate. You could squeeze a small village into the 82-litre bags for tandem tourers.
The Ladybug pannier converts into a daypack, with hidden shoulder straps. The Samurai isfeatures a kayak-closure waterproof bag protected by a wraparound, expandable PVC shell.
Clower received his first samples today and will be pricing up the range over the weekend.
"I expect they’ll retail for just over Ortleib-type prices," he said.
