Rear luggage systems for Gladius - need more ideas!

I think you're right about the grabrail / weight limit association. The ventura system fits on differently (http://www.ventura-bike.co.uk/images/models/1032.jpg and http://www.ventura-bike.co.uk/images/models/1033.jpg) so maybe that has a higher weight limit, but I don't think you can fit a hard box to it.

I'm pretty sure there are more options out there than I've already found (although obviously I don't know what they are) so I'll keep looking for a bit. I was hoping some people here would throw up some more. There's still time!

Originally Posted by Tox

I think you're right about the grabrail / weight limit association. The ventura system fits on differently (http://www.ventura-bike.co.uk/images/models/1032.jpg and http://www.ventura-bike.co.uk/images/models/1033.jpg) so maybe that has a higher weight limit, but I don't think you can fit a hard box to it.

I'm pretty sure there are more options out there than I've already found (although obviously I don't know what they are) so I'll keep looking for a bit. I was hoping some people here would throw up some more. There's still time!

The grabrail is still there on that though and it doesn't appear to bolt anywhere else other than below the rear panels so maybe not much greater than the Givi option. Good luck with the continued search though, hope you find something that ticks all the boxes

Oh and you can't fit a box to a Ventura unless you bodge something up. I looked when considering it a while back!

Oh, Kriega are excellent also, but not lockable.

The Renntec rack will take much more weight than suggested.
I got the rack/engine bars/top box combination for £135 (from Renntec)
I already have a big and small topbox
I fitted the double helmet sized topbox and carried laptop + extras
I have since fitted the Renntec topbox as it was brand new and will not be carrying big loads in very near future.
It only takes a couple of mins to swap over.

The published weight ratings I suspect have a large factor of safety.
SMcG

Thanks.


Adding to my OP - I've heard back from Ventura and their recommended max weight rating for the pack rack is 9kg.

I've made a choice now. I couldn't really compromise on my criteria as it would defeat the object of getting the luggage! I need to be able to carry a fair few kg so I can go camping with all my climbing or caving kit, and leave it locked to the bike for security. That ruled out all top box systems, leaving panniers which have significantly higher weight ratings.

The problem there was cost, most decent size top box systems were £250 - £340, but the cheapest pannier system was £430. I manage to reduce this by ordering from Italy (OjMoto, who I found through eBay but ended up ordering direct). I got the Givi PLX540 side rack holder and Givi V35 panniers, for £379.29 including postage, a saving of almost £55 over any uk site. I could possibly have saved about an extra few pounds by getting Kappa instead of Givi, or an older style pannier, but I decided it was worth it for the sake of future-proofing and saving money in the long run: if I buy a newly released luggage system (to match my reasonably newly released bike) I'm less likely to feel the need to fork out another large sum of money a year down the line. I've just sold my van so I borrowed money of that (was earmarked to save for a 'winter vehicle' fund) to make the purchase.

My order's currently being sorted at the depot, should get it in a couple of days!

Bit late now that you have made your choice which appears to be hard gear, but FWIW...

I elected to keep it simple with Givi T421 (38L) soft saddlebags and a Wolfman expedition duffel bag when I need it. The saddlebags lay across the bike and have a single tube no welds "frame" running from the grab handle to the pillion peg mount to keep the bags where they should be with straps holding the saddlebags to the frame - the pillion area is rated for the weight. Duffel gets strapped on over the top. Over Christmas the girls and I came up with vacuum moulded HDPE scuff protection for the body work.

On longer trips or the shopping run I'll pull the 140L Uni-go like third wheel. Maybe this isn't everyone's ideal and I meet plenty of uninformed naysayers that advise against the thing. A lot of the time I forget it is there even dragging a peg and it has never damaged the bike.

Security issues are taken care of by taking the bags off the bike. On an overnighter I'll also pull the trailer indoors. It is reasonably secure with locks, but that doesn't stop the little mongrels from messing it up while trying to get into it. Whether it be hard or soft luggage I'd recommend dry bags.