Two Weeks, One Island, Zero Adjustments: Nomad Panniers Put to the Test in NZ
Planning a lap of New Zealand’s South Island, I knew I’d need luggage that was tough, reliable, and quick to set up — I didn’t want to waste a minute of my ride messing around with gear. So I grabbed a set of Nomad Moto panniers and picked up a rental bike from Greg Garvey’s RideaBike just north of Christchurch in Kaiapoi.
Straight off the bat, install was ridiculously easy. Within five minutes of arriving, the bags were fitted and ready to roll. No tools. No drama. Exactly what you want when you’re itching to hit the road.
Over the next two weeks, I put the panniers through a mix of on-road cruising and off-road exploring. They didn’t budge once. No adjustments. No issues. Just solid performance the whole way around the island.
What surprised me most was how well they held their shape — even after days of rough stuff. They looked tidy on the bike, which is saying something when you’re riding a DR! 😄
All in all, a bloody good product. Tough, simple, and designed for riders who want to spend more time riding and less time fiddling with gear.
— Craig Hartley