Theres been a little debate about the hamax panniers running on my blog. I'm pulling together some things for a new fuller post on the pros and cons of the new system, plus some info on the new version of the pannier.
This post is just a placeholder, but just so folks know i'm still very happy with mine.
8 comments:
THE PLASTIC TEETH HAVE ALL FALLEN OUT. My wife & I have the Plus system with the basic rack & the delux rack, after about a month of use the bags started shedding plastic teeth- If there is an updated design for 2009 I would like some information on how to trade in these bags (and the delux rack) for new bags & the basic rack.
Yep thats what mine did but lasted juts over a year of constant use. Because i use mine every day i bought new ones which came with thicker more robust teeth.
I then basically had a word with the shop i bought the hamax bags from and they agreed to refund the money in vouchers, which was what i wanted.
If your unhappy with your goods you have a lot of protection. Take a look at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ for useful template letters. I often write the letter first and then phone and tell the person how i'm very happy with the shop and how i recommend them to my friends etc and , so personal and nice on the phone, formal and accurate in the letter.
I was wondering if you have used the Hamax plus with the child seat? I own a Torpado ladies dutch bike and I haven't been able to get the Hamax bike seats on them...it just doesn't work, and the guy at the shop suggested looking into the Hamax plus system. Do you have any thoughts on the Hamax plus basic rack + child seat? Thanks.
Hi Bonnie,
Yes i love them, check out earlier posts:
http://cycledad.blogspot.com/2008/04/hamax-plus-review.html
and there are some follow up practical tips on other posts.
If you have a rack on your current bike you will be able to fit the hamax plus no problem.
PS just get the basic rack.
I have Hamax Plus panniers, rack and child seat. Unfortunately for some reason the right pannier doesn't fit in properly.
And the whole thing is a bit on origami exercise.
The seat is very attractive and I think one of the best on the market.
That said, with child seat you're only looking at about 16 litres for the two panniers.
There are two alternative answers to the problems the Hamax Plus tries to solve:
see - http://www.basil.nl/gb/faq/?cat=100
Firstly, the Basil rack extender, which allows any rack mounted child seat to also fit panniers, thanks to extended length. Then you could add panniers such as the Basil Kavan XL, 58litres. Certainly a lot more capacious than the undersized Hamax Plus bags.
Secondly, instead of the Hamax Plus, you can try the GMG Yepp Maxi Easyfit Carrier (a rack attachment for third-party racks), and the Yepp Maxi Easyfit bike seat (about €100) - similar mounting system to Hamax Plus if you want a bike with quick-removing seat.
Hi Anon,
So that rack extender and the like look interesting. Found any pictures? It looks so complex that one feels you;d need a warehouse full of all the different bits and a skilled mechanic to decide what was right for your bike. A bit like the bobike maxi attachment. Thats fiddly as hell, slips, and wont fit any of my bikes easily.
The GMG rack fitter looks like a great idea. Retro fit to any good rack! Nice. I dont fancy the yepp seat much. Also , where would the panniers go?
I think thats why despite all its flaws i still ike the hamax. It works great on all my bikes. I do wish the panniers were bigger mind.
PS If your having problems fitting the panniers on the hamax, get a file and file the black plastic adaptors down to a good fit.
...i should start posting here again..
Here is a picture of the length extender in place: link
The extender is not a unique concept. A company called Fastrider makes some 35-litre panniers designed to fit with various child seats, which are supplied with extenders
link And Cordo also make Kidshoopers, 33 litres, likewise with supplied extenders. link Likewise New Look, with their kiddo link
And here's a nice shot of a bike with bike seat, Buggy Mee carrier (for parents not wanting to haul a child round under their arms, having arrived with the child on a bike seat) AND panniers: link
I think that whatever the bike problem, the Dutch already found the solution a while ago...
Another option is a long bike. The Kona Ute is the cheapest most nimble option. It fits two child seats. There is also the xtracycle extender, the Surly Big Dummy and Yuba Mundo.
Here's a bike seat + panniers solution: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t5w43Q6t-Qs/SfXKW-5gUfI/AAAAAAAAHTk/2Ky-nAHiVLw/s800/img_8729.jpg>link</a>
(re-post, I messed up some links)
Here is a picture of the length extender in place: link
The extender is not a unique concept. A company called Fastrider makes some 35-litre panniers designed to fit with various child seats, which are supplied with extenders
link And Cordo also make Kidshoopers, 33 litres, likewise with supplied extenders. link Likewise New Look, with their kiddo link 40 litre or 32 litre sizes.
For my money the Basil solution, of selling the rack extender separately from the bag makes most sense, as you then can choose any one of their 100+ panniers/bags.
The Hamax bags look nice, and do their job, but the basic problem is that the space under the child's footrest is not what you could call 'premium real estate'. It's more logical to have non-scrunched-up panniers with proper space and instead extend the rack a little. I think if you put an extender on the Hamax racks, you would no longer be able to fit the seat, otherwise I would buy the Basil extender for my Hamax rack....
There are some dedidcated 'moederfietsen' here: link
And here's a nice shot of a bike with bike seat, Buggy Mee carrier (for parents not wanting to haul a child round under their arms, having arrived with the child on a bike seat) AND panniers: link
I think that whatever the bike problem, the Dutch already found the solution a while ago...
Another option is a long bike. The Kona Ute is the cheapest most nimble option. It fits two child seats. There is also the xtracycle extender, the Surly Big Dummy and Yuba Mundo. Here's a bike seat + panniers solution: link
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