As you may have read, during our review of the Axiom Transition Computer bag/pannier, we had a complete failure of the bag to stay on our standard bike rack, which caused extensive damage to my Hewlett-Packard laptop.
Now, I have uploaded a gallery of photos of the damage caused when the bag flew off the rack and landed on the road, damaging the computer. In addition, below is the response from the initial story’s comments from Axiom support, indicating that the bag was used incorrectly and stating they should “provide better instructions in the future.” You can see the photos above in the slide show, or on Flickr here.
Below is an excerpt from their support comment (you can read it in full at the original story):
Between the two hooks on this rear bag there should be a small piece of plastic, with three holes, that rotates, this is the Posi-Lock. When you put the bag on the rack and twist the Posi-Lock to the vertical position it will lock the bag into place making it almost impossible for the bag to eject off the rack, even through rough road conditions like train tracks or hitting a pothole. The Posi-Lock can be adjusted to three different positions so it will fit most conventional racks. The bungee with a hook is the quick latch and also is designed to keep the bottom of the bag from swinging out. When used properly the system has four points of connection: the Posi Lock, the two hooks and the bungee, creating a very secure system.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention; consumer feedback helps us make a better product for everybody. On the next run of bags we are looking at including a sticker or tag attached to the Posi-Lock to better explain the use of this system and to ensure that people know how to properly secure their bags.
Interesting response. Here’s what they say keeps the bag on:
Back side of the Axiom Transition bag
What the Axiom support person is referring to is the horizontal piece of plastic in the top center area of the bag. Would this work to keep the pannier in place? Maybe, but how would you know to use it?
Here are the printed materials that come with the bag:
Hm it's a "lifetime guarantee" (for the bag, not your computer) and a very basic marketing foldout.
That’s right, there are no instructions. So what’s telling you to use this piece of rotating plastic to save your computer from certain destruction? Nothing.
“we are looking at including a sticker or tag attached to the Posi-Lock to better explain the use of this system and to ensure that people know how to properly secure their bags” – Thanks a lot, Axiom.
on Mar 5th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
[...] On Two Wheels – Axiom Transition Computer Pannier – Laptop Damage Photos – OUCH! You do not want to have your product fail in this way during a product [...]
on Mar 5th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Sorry, but by your original post it is obvious you didn’t really look carefully. I bought an axiom pannier second hand and figured it out right away without any instructions. Unfortunately I think it really is a bit grey area, does nowhere in the booklet even reference the turning knob? When you saw it what did you think it was for? and if you had a pannier before wasn’t there something similar?
on Mar 5th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I don’t believe it’s a gray area at all. Congratulations to you for figuring it out so fast. My previous/current panniers used on my Azor Secret Service are Basil Memphis bags (click for our review), which attach completely differently – simple straps.
Before that, I used REI’s Novara Transfer panniers – clip mounting system, nothing like the Axiom bag at all.
Edited: I actually forgot our third set of panniers, the REI ‘Round Town bags that we generally just use to get groceries with. Same thing: hook, spring, that’s it.
Including some simple instructions could have saved me hundreds of dollars. This is stupid. Don’t blame me for Axiom’s disregard for providing their customers with essential product information, thank you.
on Mar 6th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Yeah, that rotating plastic piece was what I was referencing in my previous comment here: http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/03/02/review-axiom-transition-computer-bag-panniers/#comment-2213
I don’t recall ever reading the instructions when I got my bags so don’t remember if they told me to use the little plastic clip or not, but it seemed logical when I saw the mechanism. Damn, that sucks about your laptop. I’ve actually had good experiences with my axiom bags, even to the point of crashing and sliding on them over wet pavement without them dislodging. The bag got scuffed to hell but there was no damage to the laptop within.
According to the last post about their bags, it looks like they’re going to be adding instructional stickers to their bags. At least they’re doing something about it.
on May 29th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Oh Marcus, that’s a bummer. Very sorry for your misfortune. I agree, they SHOULD have explicit instructions ON the bag: And that center turn thingy (knob – whatever it is) sure looks like a Mickey Mouse after thought. It just LOOKS like some non-functional scab they stuck on there – for who knows what reason.
Like Linda, I too am a friggin genius, but I’m not at all certain that I would have figured it out either. You’d think, since it is the KEY to the whole system they would have had the good sense to at least make it LOOK important. What a bunch’a nimrod hacks.
I think Axiom OWES you a new LapTop!!!
If they had any brains at all they would have offered to replace your laptop – just to keep from getting the BAD PRESS. As it stands now, WHO, in their right mind, would buy the thing (or any other bag they make)? I sure won’t.
Thanks for bringing this to light.
on Sep 2nd, 2010 at 1:27 am
have had this for a few months now, no problem with the bag. i guess knowing how to use equipment properly helps, didn’t need any instructions – pretty self evident on how to lock something down…
on Oct 29th, 2010 at 12:38 am
I just received the transition laptop pannier (Oct ’10). It only came with one hook and no bungee. It’s annoying that the hooks and bungee did not come attached, just with some screws and nuts. There were no directions to attach the one hook and the lock thing that came with it. Seems like a nice bag but what’s the point if you can’t use it? Think Axiom is giving up on this bag.
on Oct 29th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
leather padded laptop bags are the best to use since they can absorb shock and prevent moisture buildup “
on Apr 19th, 2011 at 5:32 am
I think your review may have led to some significant improvements of the Axiom bag. Check out the newest model — it now sports hooks that are about 2 inches deep. Very unlikely that will fall off. Of course, it is also more expensive now — apparently deeper hooks are worth about $30 dollars more. And it still has that weird flap that you have to roll up. Seems like a more elegant solution could have been found to cover the mounting hardware. This is, however, about the best looking and most functional “briefcase” pannier I can find.
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