Here’s a review of multi-purpose Arkel Bug panniers that can solve a lot of problems for bike commuters. These are quality bike panniers that convert easily from bike pannier to backpack to make life simpler for bike commuters.
The Arkel Bug Panniers offer solutions for bike commuters |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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Organizational Challenges for Bike Commuters
Combining the athleticism of cycling to work with the need to show up on time with everything you need for a working day can be a tricky balancing act. There was a time in my life when my cycle commute was very long, so I had to combine cycling with transit. This combination really increased my organizational challenges. Using a pannier for cycling and a backpack for transit meant that I was constantly transferring keys, gloves, wallet, cycling clothes, bike lights, socks … you name it … from one bag to the other.
Of course I didn’t always get it right, so I would get to my bike and find I had left my gloves in my OTHER bag. And then I had to bike in sub-zero temperatures with bare hands. Or I would get to work with no dress pants, so I had to spend the day in Lycra (unpleasant for me and no doubt extremely unpleasant for my co-workers!) Plus my office was littered with backpacks and panniers, looking as if I was about to go off on a 10-week camping trip. It was all incredibly confusing and annoying.
There has to be a better way, I thought. Then I discovered that there is.
Arkel – Bike Pannier Specialist
Arkel is a Canadian company that specializes in bike panniers, providing high quality bike panniers designed by cyclists, for cyclists.
Arkel makes products that convert easily from bike pannier to backpack, making life dramatically easier for bike commuters. They have a range of bike panniers, and I chose the large and striking-looking Arkel Bug Pannier. This is shown attached to a bike in the photo at the top of this post – and no, that’s not me, that’s my daughter, Emily. Above is the bike pannier all on its own.
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 About $55. Please click here for current best price on Amazon. |  |
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My first impression when I unpacked my brand new Arkel Bug Pannier was “AWESOME!”
The Arkel bike pannier has the look and heft of a quality product, with an impressive amount of reflective stripes and patches. It has a solid, no-nonsense look that proudly proclaims you are going to do something impressive, such as climb Mount Everest – or help to save the world by cycling to work. Finally, it has a cheerful tag that says “Made in Canada.” Arkel is based in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
The Arkel pannier comes with a book of instructions that mainly tell you how to adjust the bike pannier to fit on different racks. However, mine was a perfect fit right off the bat. I can easily pop the bike pannier on and off with one hand.
What I Like about the Arkel Bug Pannier
First, life is much easier with an Arkel Pannier – all your essential stuff stays in one pannier. I no longer found myself at work without dress pants, or on a bike without gloves. And I didn’t have to waste ages every day transferring stuff from bike panniers to backpack.
Second, my office was much tidier, with just one pannier against the wall! The same applies to my bedroom – so my wife no longer complained about tripping over piles of bike panniers and backpacks. Happy wife, happy life …
Third, the on-bike/off-bike mechanism is fluid and efficient, so you can be on your bike and pedaling very quickly – and off your bike and rushing up to your office just as fast.
Organizational Features of the Arkel Pannier
Fourth, the Arkel Bug Pannier has lots of pockets – absolutely essential for a bike commuter. There’s a small zippered pocket near the top for wallet and keys to be accessible. There’s another small pocket on the front for less essential things that you still want to have handy, such as bike tools and spare lights. There’s a spacious cup holder on each side, so for the first time ever, I could bike with my coffee in a travel mug!
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The interior of the Arkel Pannier is divided into two zippered compartments, one large and one huge. The huge one has two side flaps. I like this because I can keep things separate, and not have to dig around to find things. This Arkel Pannier is more spacious and versatile than my other two single-compartment pannier bags put together, so now I can use one bike pannier instead of two. In fact, it’s a bit like like Dr. Who’s Tardis – it seems to be bigger on the inside.
I can fit tons of stuff inside, and my laptop fits easily. In fact, because it is little it slips into one of the side flaps of the larger compartment. In the picture above, it’s the tiny silver sliver below my red cycling jacket.
Convertibility
Also, the Arkel Bug Pannier converts quickly and easily from bike pannier to backpack. To convert to a backpack, you just unzip the flap that conceals the shoulder straps, fold the flap and secure it with Velcro, and off you go.
Above is the rear of the bag in backpack mode.
Above is the rear of the bag in bike pannier mode.
Using the Arkel Bug Pannier as a Backpack
The Arkel Bug Pannier also works well as a backpack. To convert the backpack into a pannier, just tuck the straps in, zip up the flap, and you’re good to go! It all takes just seconds, and is easy.
It’s definitely on the large side, but the shoulder straps are broad, and I don’t even notice it’s on my back most of the time. And I am a shorter guy, so I don’t think anyone would find this backpack too large. If you need to carry it for some reason, it has a convenient handle.
Finally, I think the Arkel Bug Pannier looks really good – it has quality product written all over it.
What I don’t like about the Arkel Bug Pannier
Honestly nothing. After years of use, I still love it! I take it with me wherever I go, even if I’m not on a bike. It’s become my man-bag!
Bottom Line on the Arkel Bug Pannier
This Arkel Pannier is a very useful item for a bike commuter. It would also work well for touring cyclists, although then you would most likely want to get two of them. Get this bike pannier if you want to make your cycle commute more about the fun and less about the hassle! Visit the Arkel website here.
The Arkel Bug Pannier earns an Average Joe Cyclist Gold Bike Star!
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You might also like Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist’s Review of the Arkel Messenger Bag and Arkel Commuter Pannier.
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Janine says
thanks for this, Joe. I have been looking for new panniers, as my MEC panniers are reaching the end of their life. Have you had a chance to ride in the epic rain with this yet, I’m wondering about how waterproof they are.