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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: JANUARY 5th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Oxford Aqua V20 Single Quick Release Pannier
929g £44.99
The Oxford Aqua V20 Single Quick Release Pannier Bag is, as the name suggests, a generous and well-designed single pannier. It’s also keenly priced, without compromising waterproofing and it feels bombproof. Being picky, and this is a very minor point, the stiff material means the roll top closure is trickier to fold down than some, but, for me at least, hardly a deal-breaker.
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Pros: Seemingly bombproof construction, highly weatherproof, intuitive and very secure quick release mounting hardware.
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Cons: Weight, roll top closure trickier to fold than some.
Specification
The Aqua V20 is a 20-litre model made from 500denier UPVC with welded seams, and it feels every bit as solid as the scales suggest. I’ve tested ours on and off road through some decidedly scuzzy midwinter conditions, but more about that later. Ours was orange and black but there’s also plain black, should you prefer.
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Either way, reflective logo and detailing is very bold, extending around the main and side sections, which is fabulous for all contexts, but particularly entering the flow of rush hour traffic. Pop the beefy buckle closures and you’ll find a huge main compartment for swallowing locks, clothing, shopping or anything else you might want for commuting and everyday riding.
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Hell, there’s scope for lightweight/weekend touring with the single. There’s an exterior zippered pocket, which is similarly well conceived. I’ve used ours for multi tool tyre levers, patch kit and other odds n’ ends I’d want ready, faff-free access to. The zipper is also waterproof, and the generous tag means this compartment is easily accessed wearing midwinter gloves.
Mounting Hardware
This is a sprung Rixen Kaul type quick release clamp and just as intuitive to use. Positioning is adjusted via a 3mm Allen key and just a matter of gently snugging down. I’ve had no issues with rack tubing diameters around 10mm- Tubus, Tortec and Topeak, to be specific. A couple of minutes trial and error to get everything aligned but otherwise, on and off the racks in seconds.
Test Bikes & Contexts
I have alternated between Ursula and my fixed gear winter/trainer. Both are much loved working bikes that serve year-round, come hell and sometimes high water. Ursula does a lot of off road and mixed terrain riding, so an obvious choice for assessing the Aqua V20’s ability to withstand rough stuff touring. Being a smaller frameset, it gave an ideal opportunity to check heel clearance and similar, small but significant stuff.
Both sport Topeak racks, Ursula, their Uni Super Tourist DX disc, the fixed, Topeak’s Uni Super Tourist 2.0 (review to follow). Both employ hollow, powder coated TIG welded 10.22mm tubing and will manage 25 kilos. There are sufficient differences to make useful comparisons - the former is designed specifically for disc brake builds; the latter is a single tier design and a little lighter into the bargain. As a side note, if you are going to pair big pannier(s) AND a rack top bag, such as Topeak MTX Trunk Dry Bag with any regularity, I’d go for a rack with two tier side rails since this makes mounting and removing panniers that bit easier, dare I say, more dignified.
Performance 4/5
Other than its portly 900g (not much heavier than the Topeak MTX Trunk Dry Bag, mind) and some minor niggles about the roll top closure, I’ve largely noticed the Oxford Aqua V20 pannier in the most positive respects. Cargo-wise, I’ve blatted along quite nicely with 10 kilos- heavy stuff at the bottom obviously. It took a few minutes adjusting to the added weight and making allowances when navigating bends, holes and similar hazards, but nothing out of the ordinary there.
Bear in mind that luggage, not just cargo must be considered when loading your rack. Now, despite the size and the time-honoured narrative of weighty stuff at the bottom, I am prone to being a little less precise-usually on the return leg of a long ride when I’m physically and mentally a little weary and want to be home.
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In common with its 14-litre sibling Steve reviewed back in 2018 , if you do stuff the main compartment too chaotically, it will make accessing the zippered outer tricky, frustratingly so, in some instances but that’s operator laziness, not the bag’s fault.
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Being TPU, it holds its structure very well, which for me at least, is a definite plus point. However, it’s also a consideration, when hossing through tighter sections of singletrack, or snaking through congested traffic. Situations where lighter, compressible fabrics have a slight edge, although in common with the 14-litre model, removing the base stiffener is easily done. Despite this, I found the base stiffener’s benefits outweighed any issues and preferred to stick with it. On balance, I’d prefer the choice, so another mark in Oxford’s favour.
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Again, less of an issue given we’re testing a single model, but bigger panniers have an impact upon aerodynamics, and this was palpable during some very wet and windy outings. This was most obvious on the fixed, where I needed to get out of the saddle and winch myself up the climbs.
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Obviously, there are several factors at play, but smaller framesets and/or shorter chainstays can result in heel-strike. Not an issue on the fixed (which is a semi compact 54cm frame) but I’m pleasantly surprised to report it was equally unproblematic with Ursula, even wearing midwinter booties. That said; going any bigger would be pushing our luck!
Striking the right balance between security and easy removal is tricky, but again, if regular green-laning is any guide Oxford has this nailed, too.
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No bounce, or slip, even across lumpier sections. There’s been some minor, very unobtrusive rattle along farm tracks and trails (traced this to the stabiliser hook) but again, nominal and to be expected. Same story navigating railway crossings and other raised ironworks, over banding etc.
Waterproofing 4/5
Nothing is 100% waterproof, but some products come near as damn it and this certainly applies to the Oxford V20, courtesy of the thick PVC, welded seams and roll top closure. Ours has been subjected to partial submersion extended sections of boggy bridlepath, waterlogged lanes, steady (often heavy rainfall) and my hosepipe test for good measure. It's certainly as waterproof as most of us will need in the everyday sense. The only potential chink in its armour is the zipper. This is highly water resistant but, with the right circumstances, will allow some ingress to creep inside. On a tour/similar endurance event, I'd probably line
this compartment with a dry sack as a precaution but wouldn't bother for most commuting and general riding contexts.
Durability/Care 4/5
Build quality and materials feel absolutely bombproof and way higher than I’ve come to expect from this end of the market. Over the years, I’ve found that fitting hardware components can eventually fail on panniers, so the ability to buy spares is useful and Oxford can supply these. Not that any obvious weak spots have revealed themselves through the test period. The fabric is easily wiped clean - I've deliberately left winter’s slush and slurry to accumulate and found a mix of this and the odd oily palm print easily dismissed with a few shots of bike wash, warm water and brushes with a soft to medium bristle brush.
Value 4.25/5
£45 is very favourable, taking everything into account. Altura Thunderstorm City 20 is considerably dearer at £74.99, Vaude Aqua Back Panniers are £70 apiece. Steve was impressed with the UPSO Potters Pannier - they’re 21 litres and similarly well made from recycled lorry tarpaulin. However, despite considerable charms, they’re heavier, water resistant rather than proof (no welded seams) and again, we’re now talking £75 apiece. Lifeline Adventure Waterproof Pannier Bag is probably their closest rivals. They’re made from a 300denier TPU and also boast welded seams. 22 litre capacity is an extra 2 litres for your money, but we’ve never tested them, so can’t make direct, like for like comparison.
Summary
Minor niggles such as the roll top closure’s stiffness aside, I’ve found it extremely hard to find genuine fault with the Aqua. They’re not only fantastic value for money but feel bombproof and as genuinely waterproof as most of us are ever going to need.
Verdict: 4/5 Bomb and seemingly weatherproof pannier with some great features and a wallet friendly price tag.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2025
