In reply to no_more_scotch_eggs:
In the end I went for altura panniers and an alpkit bar bag- and used them for a trip into Faindouran bothy a couple of weeks back. We took loading the bikes to the limit- the forecast suggested there was still a lot of snow around, so the axes and crampons went; and 15-20kg of coal between 5; and, or course, the equivalent of 9 bottles of wine in boxes, and a bottle of whisky (we were going to be there for 3 nights after all...). Those 17 miles from Tomintoul, into a stiff headwind, seemed never ending.
but what a place.... the best bothy I’ve ever stayed in, in the most awe inspiring location. Freed from the luggage, the bikes were put to use to get to the bridge at the Ponymans hut, and we did beinn a bhuird and Ben Avon round the rim of slochd mor- this has to be one of the best days hillwalking in Scotland.
Also bynack mor and its neighbouring Corbett, dropping down to the fords of Avon, and back along the river- that stretch was the most empty and remote feeling place I’ve experienced in the U.K.
The journey back out was considerably easier minus the coal and wine, all in all the best 4 days in the Scottish hills I can remember- and the panniers/bar bags did the job without any problems.
Post edited at 20:59