steve68steve
Active Member
Review is in quotes because I'm not sure this qualifies as a review - more of an info dump. Maybe someone will find this useful.
IF anyone is looking for Al panniers on the cheap, Moose Expedition are on sale/ closeout seemingly everywhere. I got a pair for $460 delivered.
There's very little info about them online, and some of the reviews are sketchy, but for the $ it seemed like they're worth a shot.
I just mounted up a pair yesterday (on Moose racks) and they are a MAJOR upgrade to the totally fried, used Givi E21's I've been hauling around since 2013. Having said that, I have no idea how they stack up against better-known brands, having never owned anything other than plastic cases.
I bought the smalls - which are cavernous - I think 36l. There are two other sizes available which are 1 or 2 inches wider (same L x W). They are available in black or gray paint.
They have a double-latch closure for the top. Either latch closed acts like a hinge, both latches open allows the top to be completely removed. Lock cylinders are not included by are available as a set of 4 for $20-ish.
A very cheap textile organizer which mounts in the lid is included.
The boxes are 1.5mm riveted construction, with what looks like ABS plastic corner protectors riveted on. The inside of the boxes are unfinished, and there is obvious hand-applied silicon caulk on the interior joints. It remains to be seen whether they'll be waterproof, but there is a gasket and a folded seam which capture a groove in the lid. Moose says 25 lb max load in each.
The cases come "intact" and need to be drilled and hardware assembled by the purchaser. There's an included plastic template for foolproof hole locating which gets mounted between the box and frame to prevent noise/ scuffing/ water intrusion. You will need a drill and the confidence to put holes in your brand new cases.
The Moose racks are symmetrical, which puts a lot of volume between the right side rack and the frame (seems perfect spot for tool tube, box, or rotopack(s). The racks themselves are far thicker, heavier, and presumably sturdier than the Givi racks, as is the hardware. The hardware is zinc plated silver, not painted black to match the racks.
The cases attach to the racks with a short piece of Z channel and 2 bolts. The Z channel is screwed to the box and rides on the lower rack loop; the bolts go thru an assortment of huge washers and a gasket and bolt thru holes on bar stock stiffeners in the upper loop. Attachment/ removal requires a 12 and 13mm wrench. An upgrade option is an appropriately-threaded pair of knobs to allow installation and removal without tools.
The whole shebang looks ridiculously wide at around 42" - and that's the small cases. Larger sizes just get wider. Since the racks are symmetrical, there seems no point in having asymmetrical boxes. A half-assed look suggests if one were handy enough to cut and weld, the right-side frame could be brought in tigher to the bike. You'd have to shorten the standoff/ spacers, and the bar that spans the left and right loops under the rear fender.
IF anyone is looking for Al panniers on the cheap, Moose Expedition are on sale/ closeout seemingly everywhere. I got a pair for $460 delivered.
There's very little info about them online, and some of the reviews are sketchy, but for the $ it seemed like they're worth a shot.
I just mounted up a pair yesterday (on Moose racks) and they are a MAJOR upgrade to the totally fried, used Givi E21's I've been hauling around since 2013. Having said that, I have no idea how they stack up against better-known brands, having never owned anything other than plastic cases.
I bought the smalls - which are cavernous - I think 36l. There are two other sizes available which are 1 or 2 inches wider (same L x W). They are available in black or gray paint.
They have a double-latch closure for the top. Either latch closed acts like a hinge, both latches open allows the top to be completely removed. Lock cylinders are not included by are available as a set of 4 for $20-ish.
A very cheap textile organizer which mounts in the lid is included.
The boxes are 1.5mm riveted construction, with what looks like ABS plastic corner protectors riveted on. The inside of the boxes are unfinished, and there is obvious hand-applied silicon caulk on the interior joints. It remains to be seen whether they'll be waterproof, but there is a gasket and a folded seam which capture a groove in the lid. Moose says 25 lb max load in each.
The cases come "intact" and need to be drilled and hardware assembled by the purchaser. There's an included plastic template for foolproof hole locating which gets mounted between the box and frame to prevent noise/ scuffing/ water intrusion. You will need a drill and the confidence to put holes in your brand new cases.
The Moose racks are symmetrical, which puts a lot of volume between the right side rack and the frame (seems perfect spot for tool tube, box, or rotopack(s). The racks themselves are far thicker, heavier, and presumably sturdier than the Givi racks, as is the hardware. The hardware is zinc plated silver, not painted black to match the racks.
The cases attach to the racks with a short piece of Z channel and 2 bolts. The Z channel is screwed to the box and rides on the lower rack loop; the bolts go thru an assortment of huge washers and a gasket and bolt thru holes on bar stock stiffeners in the upper loop. Attachment/ removal requires a 12 and 13mm wrench. An upgrade option is an appropriately-threaded pair of knobs to allow installation and removal without tools.
The whole shebang looks ridiculously wide at around 42" - and that's the small cases. Larger sizes just get wider. Since the racks are symmetrical, there seems no point in having asymmetrical boxes. A half-assed look suggests if one were handy enough to cut and weld, the right-side frame could be brought in tigher to the bike. You'd have to shorten the standoff/ spacers, and the bar that spans the left and right loops under the rear fender.
