So I had one of these cheap eBay top boxes, which was wrecked in my little accident last week. I could get another one for $33, but 1) it wasn't big enough for my helmet, and 2) it was pretty cheap in all senses of the word.
OTOH, my bike came with aluminum Happy Trail panniers (for which I have to replace the rack that holds them on), and I'm tempted to get one of their top boxes, but you get what you pay for; quite solid, but they're pretty pricey.
I've seen lots of good reviews of the Bestem boxes, but also lots of complaints about how much of a pain they are to install.
So, any suggestions for something that's inexpensive but not cheap, decently solid, not a pain to install (my more-than-basic tools are all back in Canada), big enough for an XL-sized helmet for a guy with a big head, perhaps comes with its own lights, and a backrest so's I can convince the missus to take a ride with me now and then?
OTOH, my bike came with aluminum Happy Trail panniers (for which I have to replace the rack that holds them on), and I'm tempted to get one of their top boxes, but you get what you pay for; quite solid, but they're pretty pricey.
I've seen lots of good reviews of the Bestem boxes, but also lots of complaints about how much of a pain they are to install.
So, any suggestions for something that's inexpensive but not cheap, decently solid, not a pain to install (my more-than-basic tools are all back in Canada), big enough for an XL-sized helmet for a guy with a big head, perhaps comes with its own lights, and a backrest so's I can convince the missus to take a ride with me now and then?
