Discovery Hybrid and EL Hybrid Pannier Performance: Fundamental Load-Carrying Designs
(These are the designs that enhance touring bicycle handling through
exceptionally high pannier stability, highly refined gear distribution
and extraordinary reductions in pannier weight)
- Four-Point Mounting Systems of multiple designs
- Widely spaced (up to 9.5") upper and lower mounting system hooks and fasteners
- 360-degree perimetric stiffeners and load supports
- Triple-strap compression / stabilizing systems (dual-strap system in EL Pannier models)
- Vertical, lateral and fore / aft, in-pannier gear distribution design
- Rear stiffening plates of 100% support design
- Dual- and triple-relieved aluminum rear stiffening plates (pannier weight reduction)
- Panniers available in three vertical sizes (reduces width of panniers from the rack outward)
- Panniers available with variable inner compartment widths (2.5", 3.5", 4.5", 5.5")(minimizes width of panniers)
- 33/67% or 50/50% zip-out primary compartment dividers (greatly enhances touring gear distribution in panniers)
- Five-fabric construction (greatly reduces pannier weight)
- RBD Four-Point Adapters (greatly increases pannier stability when non-ATS racks are used in system)
- Very exceptional performance-to-weight ratios in panniers
Discovery Hybrid and EL Hybrid Standard Features and Details
- Eight pockets and compartments in a dual-lateral compartment design (Paradigm, Horizon, Europa 1700)
- 10 pockets and compartments in a triple-lateral compartment design (Tandem / Expedition, World Tour 2400)
- 12 pockets and compartments in a triple-lateral compartment design (Northern Lights, Tandem 3400)
- Modular panniers with 12 pockets and compartments (Modular Northern Lights, Modular Tandem 3400)
- Extreme front-loading design with 36" or 42" main and middle compartment (TLC design) entry zippers
- 14" to 28" outside-face pocket entry zippers
- Choice among three types of YKK zippers (5mm, 7mm or 9mm)
- Choice among three types of zipper-flap designs (inverted, dual-flap design or wide dual-flap design)
- Choice of two types of compression straps and fasteners (1/2" or 3/4")
- Choice of two types of mounting system straps and fasteners (1/2" or 3/4")
- Triple-reinforced carrying handles
- Triple-reinforced, full-wrap compression systems
- All compression systems are divided in middle and each half is adjustable at both ends
- Choice among several types of four-point mounting systems
- Standard compression panels on rear panniers (Discovery Hybrid models only)
- Zipper-end pull tabs (Discovery Hybrid models only)
- Top and bottom dual-reinforced fabric on the rear side of panniers (Discovery Hybrid models only)
- Dual zipper pulls with additional webbing pulls
- Panniers available in three vertical sizes (usually 14" panniers are use on low-mount racks, 18" panniers on rear)
- Choice of inner compartment widths (2.5" to 5.5")
- Highest "garment-grade" top stitching, seam binding and finish
Custom options of Discovery Hybrid and EL Hybrid Models
- Dual- and triple-relieved aluminum plate stiffeners (weight savings)
- Reinforced aluminum plate stiffeners for extreme expedition use
- Custom colors
- Outside-face mesh pockets with vertical entry zipper
- Choice among three types of primary exterior fabrics (2.4 oz. Ripstop, 3.4 oz. Oxford nylon or 7.5 oz. Cordura)
- Compression panels on front panniers, or on rear EL panniers
- Foam liners and inserts
- Rigid hard-shell photo case option
- Choice among three types of zipper flap designs
- Choice among three types of YKK zippers (5mm, 7mm, 9mm)
- Choice among six types of RBD Rain Covers and RBD All-Terrain Covers
- Zip-in, zip-out lateral compartmental dividers (allow two compartments to become one large one)
- RBD four-point adapters (EL Hybrid Panniers only)
Innovation and Inventions used in the design and detailing of Discovery and EL Panniers
- Numerous types of four-point mounting systems (starting in 1976)
- Perimetric stiffeners (1976)
- Vertical, lateral and fore / aft gear distribution systems (starting in 1976)
- Zip-in, zip-out primary compartmental dividers for gear-distribution designs (starting in 1976)
- Many types of compression panels and pockets (starting in 1978)
- Five-fabric construction (ultra-lightweight panniers in 1985)
- Dual-relieved rear aluminum stiffening plates (ultra-lightweight panniers in 1985)
- Triple compression / stabilizing systems (1986)
- Pannier compression / stabilizing systems (1978)
- Three-dimensional mesh pannier pockets (1979)
- Modular panniers (1989)
- Panniers made in three vertical sizes (1989)
- Ultra-lightweight brass mounting system fasteners (2004)
- Panniers available with variable inner compartment widths (2004)
- RBD Four-Point Adapters (2010)
- RBD Safety-Lock, Cam-Style Mounting System (2010)