Here's my review of Happy Trails Teton 7.5" Clif Cut panniers on my 2014 S10:
1. What: Happy Trails Teton 7.5" Clif Cut panniers on Happy Trails SU racks with all Happy Trails mounting equipment. No paint, pre-drilled, matching locks.
2. How Much: Paid $559 new free shipping during their winter sale Dec 2018 and that included panniers, rack, locks, and mounting hardware. In the end, I wanted what I wanted but price is always a factor. I have bought both Givi and Jesse new in the past, so its more about getting what I want the first time over initial cost but the cost (very inexpensive) was a happy plus.
3. Mounting: I removed the passenger handles and reused the upper bolts vs using the HT provided. This brought the panniers in almost 2" narrower than HTs stock setup. This also forced messing with the rear cross brace. I was going to cut and weld but was able to bend/under pressure and drill new holes and made it work without breaking out the welder. I used the bolts vs the larger knobs for the top inside mounting to keep stuff from catching on the knobs inside the panniers.
4. Results: Super pleased. I like closing the panniers without having to lock them (Jesse, Givi) and they stay closed when riding. I like one key lock per pannier vs two (Jesse). Service/communication from HT and packaging was superb, no issues. I measure the width at just under 32" wide which is one of the narrower setups. Its not as much volume as others (26 liters each) but with the wider opening, it seems to work for how I use it and I like the narrow width.
5. Future Plans: Will use the "empty" space on the non-exhaust side with probably a tool tube or something. Thinking of mounting water bottle / thermos bottle on back of a pannier but may leverage the side/rear mounts of the aux fuel tank for that instead to keep panniers drill hole free. Water proof is a big requirement for me.
1. What: Happy Trails Teton 7.5" Clif Cut panniers on Happy Trails SU racks with all Happy Trails mounting equipment. No paint, pre-drilled, matching locks.
2. How Much: Paid $559 new free shipping during their winter sale Dec 2018 and that included panniers, rack, locks, and mounting hardware. In the end, I wanted what I wanted but price is always a factor. I have bought both Givi and Jesse new in the past, so its more about getting what I want the first time over initial cost but the cost (very inexpensive) was a happy plus.
3. Mounting: I removed the passenger handles and reused the upper bolts vs using the HT provided. This brought the panniers in almost 2" narrower than HTs stock setup. This also forced messing with the rear cross brace. I was going to cut and weld but was able to bend/under pressure and drill new holes and made it work without breaking out the welder. I used the bolts vs the larger knobs for the top inside mounting to keep stuff from catching on the knobs inside the panniers.
4. Results: Super pleased. I like closing the panniers without having to lock them (Jesse, Givi) and they stay closed when riding. I like one key lock per pannier vs two (Jesse). Service/communication from HT and packaging was superb, no issues. I measure the width at just under 32" wide which is one of the narrower setups. Its not as much volume as others (26 liters each) but with the wider opening, it seems to work for how I use it and I like the narrow width.
5. Future Plans: Will use the "empty" space on the non-exhaust side with probably a tool tube or something. Thinking of mounting water bottle / thermos bottle on back of a pannier but may leverage the side/rear mounts of the aux fuel tank for that instead to keep panniers drill hole free. Water proof is a big requirement for me.
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