Pannier & Rack recommendation

ROK ON

I have taken a fancy to having a pannier rack on my bike.
I have never used one and have always commuted with a rucksack.

I currently bring a pair of suit trousers, shirt and underwear to work.
I keep jackets in work and bring in towels at beginning of week. A small rucksack is fine.

I want to move to a rack but stupidly got a bike without rack eyelets - I bought a near identical frame without them.

So I need a backpack/pannier rack that can easily clip onto a Ti frame. I will want to remove this occasionally without much fuss.
Wish list
Rack that is easy on/easy off,
Can be attached to both frame and seat post if necessary,
To be used to carry at most a suit, towel, rain cape, iPad and rarely anything more but often less.
I already have an AlturanArran bike bag with KlickFlix attachment - great for the occasional long cycle but too small for a shirt and trousers folded neatly. Also I am a but paranoid about a bag that attaches to the seat post only.

There are lots of solutions for sale - does anyone have any recommendations.

Raam

I, I, I, I, I. It's all about you, isn't it? What about the rest of us?

Lumen

Arkel Randonneur and Tailrider.

cdaly_

This Union 34 seat post mounted backpack showed up in the cycling adverts again recently (link is from 2013). Would that suit?

JamJamJamJam

This video suggests solutions for those that don't accommodate racks so easily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeGR6Tdmxj8 (go to 2:23). Maybe that would be some help.

This is probbbably not the solution for you, and I have never owned one, but I like the idea of the Arkel Bug. It converts into a rucksack. I like the helmet pouch (not sure how big that is!). The bag would be big enough to fit all of the things you mentioned, I would think. Reviews are good, but as I say, no personal experience, and it's expensive!

Sorry I don't have much more to offer on top of that!


EDIT: I forgot - I was looking at this a while back for myself (ended up cheaping out and just using my own backpack). Looks nice and can be adjusted to give your foot some room as your peddling (helpful if your frame isn't built to normally accommodate a rack). http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-office-bag-plus-large-panniers-ql2-mount/

ROK ON

Thanks all.

The positioning of the Union simply looks dumb.
The Arkel is seat post clamped only - I am generally sceptical of this. My Altura Arran bounces a lot in rides - not sure how this can be good for the seat post given that a 90kg lug is also sitting on it.

I might try an adapter. It seems as if Fitzcycles have racks for bikes that attach to frame and seat post and are designed for bikes without eyelets or other rack mounts.

Anyone else have a tried and tested solution the please let me know.

My backpack has always been comfy apart from the very hottest of days but I think it's time for a change.

Lumen

The Arkel Randonneur is not seat post clamped. It's saddle rail AND seatpost clamped. This makes a huge difference to lateral stability and seatpost stress. There's basically just a soft plastic c-clamp which pushes gently at the base of your seatpost. On mine it's lower than in this pic:

ROK ON

Lumen wrote: »

Arkel Randonneur and Tailrider.

Does anybody know of any European stockist of this product.
I would prefer to avoid importing from outside EU.

Lumen

ROK ON wrote: »

Does anybody know of any European stockist of this product.
I would prefer to avoid importing from outside EU.

http://arkelpanniers.co.uk redirects to http://www.arkel-od.com/

Pricing in Sterling.

That's how I got mine. They're not cheap :eek:

To be clear, I haven't used the trunk bag myself, just the rack (which is excellent). I use an Ortlieb dry bag as it will fit a 13" Macbook (the Tailrider won't). But I don't have to be smart so don't mind rolling up the clothes.

Red Kev

I met a German couple cycling across France last year, they were using these, had them a year or so and swore by them. One bike had them on the front and back, the other just on the back. Two road bikes.

They fit onto any bike and seemed very solid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/THULE-PACK-PEDAL-LUGGAGE-RACK/dp/B00ASSOORE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431348420&sr=8-1&keywords=thule+pannier

ford2600

ROK ON wrote: »

My backpack has always been comfy apart from the very hottest of days but I think it's time for a change.

A better backpack?

I used to hike a lot, and with a Berghaus Freeflow 35, I never had a wet back even on hottest days.

Curve of frame keeps bag away from back, for most part, and dry.

Bag is 10/12 years old but I'm sure there is a replacement

ROK ON

Red Kev wrote: »

I met a German couple cycling across France last year, they were using these, had them a year or so and swore by them. One bike had them on the front and back, the other just on the back. Two road bikes.

They fit onto any bike and seemed very solid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/THULE-PACK-PEDAL-LUGGAGE-RACK/dp/B00ASSOORE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431348420&sr=8-1&keywords=thule+pannier

I saw them and they actually have them in Fitzcycles so I may head out to see what they are like.

Planet X

What's wrong with buying a new bike?

ROK ON

Planet X wrote: »

What's wrong with buying a new bike?

Nothing only funding.

Seaswimmer

what about saddle bag and support with quick release mechanism..

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=33

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=147

Expensive but last a lifetime..

ROK ON

Carradice
I am aware of the excellent reputation of the products, but by Christ are the FUGLY.
Not in a million years would I hang one of them from the saddle.

petethedrummer

I think the lower down you can place the weight the better the handling, no matter how light your load is. Makes weaving easier on commutes. I used a carradice bag for a short while and hated it, even with a light load.

I'd get this.... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-adapter-set-for-qr-axle-mounting/

That adapter needs to be used in conjuction with a tubus rack. You need 2 holes at the the lower part of the rack to connect to the adapter. Only tubus have 2 holes. Tubus racks are expensive but very good quality.

You could use these for the upper mounts...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-clamp-set-for-seat-stay-mounting/

but I'd rather use something like this...
http://road.cc/content/review/83283-salsa-rack-lock-seat-collar

Once you set it up the first time, you only need to remove the 2 upper bolts and the skewer to remove it. Slightly more faff but a better solution IMO. If you have mudguards it may be major faff.

Seaswimmer

ROK ON wrote: »

Carradice
I am aware of the excellent reputation of the products, but by Christ are the FUGLY.
Not in a million years would I hang one of them from the saddle.

Does the F stand for "functional" or am I missing something??

ciotog

I'm quite fond of the previous version of this http://www.vaude.com/en-GB/Products/Luggage-Bags/Bike-Bags/Cycle-28-black-anthracite.html that I hang on my pannier rack from time to time. Don't like the mid-strap much though. I also have the now defunct Freiburg briefcase pannier (http://www.amazon.de/Vaude-Freiburg-Businesstasche-Liter-1270g/dp/B000NI61RK) from Vaude in daily use again.

Mylow

Ortlieb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9ywYJKNg-c

monument

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Expensive but last a lifetime..

My pannier may be much abused and used a lot in the last few years, but I still don't think that Carradice products last anywhere near a lifetime.

mjsc1970

Red Kev wrote: »

I met a German couple cycling across France last year, they were using these, had them a year or so and swore by them. One bike had them on the front and back, the other just on the back. Two road bikes.

They fit onto any bike and seemed very solid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/THULE-PACK-PEDAL-LUGGAGE-RACK/dp/B00ASSOORE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431348420&sr=8-1&keywords=thule+pannier

Hi
Would the above still require

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-Side-Frames-Tour-Rack/dp/B00ASSQJYU/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_y

to stop pannier bags from catching in the spokes or the wheel rims or could you get away with just the former on its own would you know?

Thanks

delos

I have one of these:

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&url=sqrslim#prettyPhoto

While it's not pretty, it is on and off the bike in a jiffy, keeps stuff dry and is easy to clean. It's really hard wearing and the SQR block only needs occasional cleaning an a wee bit of oil now and again. No need for a rack but the load is quite high.

Ryath

Did you ever make a decision on a rack and bag? Trying to decide myself for commuting and some light touring. My bike does have mudguard eyelets and I do have a rack I could put on and some basic avenir panniers but would like a rack I can easily take on and of. Would prefer a trunk bag that doubled as a back pack but may have to do with a shoulder strap

The arkel does seem the best option and the Switchback backpack looks to exactly what I want but is pricey and money is tight at the minute. I will spend it though if it's the best option better than buying twice.

Topeak RX roadie rack looks good but it's only rated for 7kg and rx bags are small the one with the side panniers may be big enough but I'd imagine carrying it of the bike with panniers down would be a bit of a nusiance.



The Topead MTX bags and racks look good and and easy get on and of. Seatpost mounted though. Without the panniers though it's probably not quite big enough and they are not that far or the price of the arkel that I would compromise on size. Astramonti used to have one.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=62367206&postcount=7

In reality I could probably live with my pannier rack permanently on my commuter/winter bike I do have another road bike with raceblade mudgaurds for fast wet weather spins so a good trunk bag would do.

A lot are on the small side though
Vaude Silkroad L

Looks good seems very well made and good shape for a 12 litre bag like a lot though are just held on by 4 vecro straps which for long term use doesn't seem the best option
Axiom randonnee trunk bag

One of the cheaper options and ok sized at 12ltr
Carradice Carradura 12ltrs


Bit pricier but seems v well made and at 13ltr it may be possible to squeeze in a pair of shoes when doing some light touring
Carradice-super-c-rackbag

Really nice looking bag and at 18ltr big enough but v expensive and you have to take the straps of to put it on the bike.
Ortlieb Backpack


This may actually be the best option at 24ltrs bigger than any other option and simpler as you just bungee it to the rack no worry about clips breaking like some of the propriety systems. I could easily do some light touring with this and my tent bungeed to the rack beside it.
Ortlieb rack pack 24ltr


I really do like the look of the arkel, would be really handy when touring just to have one decent sized bag you can just whip of the bike and carry with you. Sorry about size of the pic.

Civilian_Target

Soo... I started this thread about pannier bags a while ago.

In the end I bought the Arkel Orca 45s, which were absolutely enormous, so I returned them for Arkel 35s. I never imagined they would be so much better than the Vaudes I had before, which are of similar design to the Ortleibs everyone recommends.

I'm not sure if it's the plastic inserts or whether the mounting system is elasticated and padded just the right way to reduce the vibrations on your bike, but while cycling with the Vaudes added wobble at high-speed, the Arkels seem to actually make the bike more stable.

They look a bit better in real life than on the internet... but they're still ugly. They suck to carry off the bike. But they're built so sturdy that in an accident that trashed my bike, one of the bags survived, along with some of the contents. And they're a pleasure to cycle with, I'd never go back.

Alek

I find them very good looking to be honest. Unlike their price :P

AstraMonti

I have this one http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/RXBeamRack_w_side_frameV-Type
It works really well and it can lift quite a load. It says maximum of 7kgs.. but I have doubled that with no issues. You 're welcome to borrow it for a week to see if it works for you.

ROK ON

Still have not made a decision as I have been busy but thanks for recommendations.
Don't think I will go for seat post solution, I have seen a rack advertised on Fitzcycles that attached to rear seat posts.

OleRodrigo

ROK ON wrote: »

Still have not made a decision as I have been busy but thanks for recommendations.
Don't think I will go for seat post solution, I have seen a rack advertised on Fitzcycles that attached to rear seat posts.

Some of the lads had these last weekend and spoke very positively about them:


https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-regular/

ROK ON

^
Post reported

Ryath

After a good bit more research I'm starting to lean towards a set of panniers. Realy I was put of by my rather basic heavy rack and cheap panniers. There are a lot more elegant looking racks and much nicer paniers for mounting and carrying. They're ust more versatile and come in better sizes and a lot come with a shoulder strap. Most of the time I'll just carry one.

Ortlieb have a carrier to convert most of their panniers to a back back that looks good.

They have a few single panniers that come with a version of this but looks like it's better value to buy a ortlieb back roller or front roller set and the backpack straps.

This tubus rack looks pretty neat mounts to the brake bridge.

Really like the look of this tubus minimal rack but ortlieb only do a limited range of bags that fit it and they are a little pricier

Better pic but huge


Edit best/only pic I've found really like the look of this rack can't figure what bag it is though ortlieb don't seem to have a ql3 bag that looks like it

Ryath

Can I ask anyone who is using the orlieb front roller (12.5ltr) or sport packer (15ltr) how much can you actually fit in one pannier. From what I've read the roller may actually hold more if you don't roll the top down fully?

Would one hold lets say a pair of runnners, 1 pair of jeans, 2 t shirts and a small toiletry bag and maybe a small microfibre towel?

Other dilemma is whether for the classic or plus fabric? Classic looks a little tougher and heavier and doesn't hold water. Plus is a little dearer, bit lighter and look better in some colours.

Still really like the some of the ql3 bags and racks but I think they seem less versatile than the traditional bags. One bag alone is a nice bit dearer than a pair of front rollers. For short chain stays on a road bike heel clearance may be an issue as you cannot move the mounting points on the rack.

Civilian_Target

I had a 14L Vaude Front Roller, and it couldn't fit my size 13s and close in a waterproof way... but you could dump them on the rack in a plastic bag and fit the rest in the bag, or take both bags. Top open they're actually quite big, you can carry a lot of beer

The front rollers had a similar locking mechanism to the Ortleib I believe, and I much prefer riding with the Arkels I have now: they're a bit harder to clip in, but are much more stable on descents than the Vaudes were.

petethedrummer

Ryath wrote: »

.... the orlieb front roller (12.5ltr) .....

Would one hold lets say a pair of runnners, 1 pair of jeans, 2 t shirts and a small toiletry bag and maybe a small microfibre towel?

1 pair of jeans,
2 short sleeve t-shirts,
1 long sleeve t-shirt,
1 toiletry bag (deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brush),
1 pair of fairly chunky runners,
3 jocks,
3 socks,
1 XL micro fiber towel,
1 book (320 pages).

Folded with a good seal. Could probably have packed it better by doing army rolls, putting stuff in the runners and using a lighter pair of runners.

MB Lacey

Am I right to assume fitting a pannier greatly reduces agility and balance on a road bike?
I use a backpack now and I love the lightness and nippiness of my commute through traffic. It's a joy to cycle and my bike feels light as a feather, but I have disc problems and the days of my sometimes heavy backpack are now numbered.

I have put off buying panniers because I imagine cycling along with a heavy bag to one side of your back wheel will hugely affect balance.
Do you just get used to it?

cython

MB Lacey wrote: »

Am I right to assume fitting a pannier greatly reduces agility and balance on a road bike?
I use a backpack now and I love the lightness and nippiness of my commute through traffic. It's a joy to cycle and my bike feels light as a feather, but I have disc problems and the days of my sometimes heavy backpack are now numbered.

I have put off buying panniers because I imagine cycling along with a heavy bag to one side of your back wheel will hugely affect balance.
Do you just get used to it?

I commute with a single Ortlieb back roller on a rear rack, and I can't say I find much issue with balance. Might take a bit more effort to keep it steady if out of the saddle (e.g. getting away at traffic lights, or the rise into the Parkgate Street gate of the Phoenix Park), but I would say you really get used to it.

That being said, I don't tend to have too much weight in it, so YMMV if you have even a laptop/books/similar in it, seeing as you mention heavy twice. If you are concerned about that, you could always try to use 2 pannier bags, and balance your load on each side (even roughly), and it might even be a better idea for the sake of your wheels anyway, rather than loading the spokes on one side excessively.

Idleater

MB Lacey wrote: »

Do you just get used to it?

For me, mainly this.

However, the weight is very low down on the bike so the stability is less affected than you think. I carry a backpack when taking the race bike for the Thursday cycle after work, and I feel as hindered by the weight as with the pannier commuter and free movement of my upper body.

MB Lacey

cython wrote: »

That being said, I don't tend to have too much weight in it, so YMMV if you have even a laptop/books/similar in it.

Thanks, what's heavy to me is probably quite light to someone else, my backpack at the mo is a 15L and there's not too much in it, but I know I need to take even that weight off my back whilst leaning forward cycling.
What's YMMV?

ciotog

MB Lacey wrote: »

Am I right to assume fitting a pannier greatly reduces agility and balance on a road bike?
I use a backpack now and I love the lightness and nippiness of my commute through traffic. It's a joy to cycle and my bike feels light as a feather, but I have disc problems and the days of my sometimes heavy backpack are now numbered.

I have put off buying panniers because I imagine cycling along with a heavy bag to one side of your back wheel will hugely affect balance.
Do you just get used to it?

Took me about 2 days to get used to it when I first cycled with a pannier. These days I sometimes look back to double check it's there (but that may also be related to me locking a door and having to go back 2 or 3 times to check it). I'll briefly notice when I increase the load during a cycle; like adding 2L of milk and a few bits from the shop.

(Also YMMV is Your Mileage May Vary)

cdaly_

You might also consider a rack-top bag. Some take a few velcro straps to remove (I leave mine permanently on the rack) while others use a clip-on system. I carry a week's worth of work clothes in a pannier and leave them at my desk. Rack bag carries lunch, spares etc...

MB Lacey

Thanks - yes I'm thinking I'll possibly pack a little into my backpack and a little in a bag clamped to the seat post (My road bike doesn't have eyelets for a back rack).
I liked Lumen's recommendation but someone unscrewed and stole my €10 bottle holder from my bike last week, so they'd definitely steal that QR rail.

RainyDay

MB Lacey wrote: »

Thanks - yes I'm thinking I'll possibly pack a little into my backpack and a little in a bag clamped to the seat post (My road bike doesn't have eyelets for a back rack).
I liked Lumen's recommendation but someone unscrewed and stole my €10 bottle holder from my bike last week, so they'd definitely steal that QR rail.

I just find cycling in general far more comfortable without a backpack than with. I don't really notice the weight on the back, though if anything, I'd have thought it would give more stability than anything else.

Get In There

Sorry if i'm hi jacking the thread a bit, but after cycling to and from carlingford (210km in total) at the weekend with a seat post clamp rack on my bike carrying approx 15kg. My bike seemed fine and dandy so i'm concerned to see the words "stress" in relation to such racks in this thread. With plans to cycle from mizen to malin next month using this rack, should I reconsider the use of the rack to prevent any potential damage to my bike?

(For good measure, i'll include a photo of my current set up! :-)

Alek

This is a lot of weight on a very long extension (leverage!). I'd be worried about setatpost or even frame damage - its a light racing frame after all.

What is the max weight capacity of the rack? The last time I've checked they were more in the 4-6kg territory...

[edit]

Topeak seat post mounted racks are designed for 15lbs = 6.8kg. And they are very sturdy and almost overbuilt...


I'd recommend a good "normal" rack designed for road bikes - like Tubus Fly (18kg rating) or Tortec Ultralite / Velocity (25kg)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-fly-rear-rack/

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/pannier-racks-tortec-tour-ultralite-rear-pannier-rack/tortrack200
http://www.zyro.co.uk/tortec/products/detail/TTVEL

cdaly_

If that's an non-carbon seatpost you could be ok but that's quite a bit of weight out on a lever so it would be stressing your seatpost. I know of a couple of audax riders who have suffered broken seatposts, mainly down to carrying big post/saddle mounted bags. I'd be looking for a way to brace that on the frame somehow.

Seaswimmer

cdaly_ wrote: »

If that's an non-carbon seatpost you could be ok but that's quite a bit of weight out on a lever so it would be stressing your seatpost. I know of a couple of audax riders who have suffered broken seatposts, mainly down to carrying big post/saddle mounted bags. I'd be looking for a way to brace that on the frame somehow.

You may be able to brace it onto the saddle rails somehow which would help. Even a couple of heavy duty cable ties from saddle rail to sides of rack would prodive support

cdaly_

That still leaves all of the weight and leverage on the clamp to the seatpost. A rigid connection to the frame is the only thing that will reduce stress on the seatpost.

Get In There

Thanks guys for your advice and recommendations. Last thing I want to do is damage the frame. I actually already have a regular rack but went for the lazy/convenient option of a seat post clamp one blissfully unaware of the potential damage that it could cause my bike until I read this thread. So i'll have to go home tonight and figure out how I can fit the regular rack, with the use of P clamps and the like.

Once again, thanks guys.

seamus

Yeah, for short hops like a commute where you're using your "good" bike, then a clamp-on rack is fine and the ease of attaching it makes it handy. But for longer cycles, even one-offs, the extra ten minutes you need to fit a proper rack will be worth it.

petethedrummer

Get In There wrote: »

with the use of P clamps and the like.

Don't use these. It's a bad solution for carrying a load. They wobble terribly and will eventually dig into your paint work.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95432995&postcount=17

Get In There

petethedrummer wrote: »

Don't use these. It's a bad solution for carrying a load. They wobble terribly and will eventually dig into your paint work.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95432995&postcount=17

Thanks thats a very useful post. I got home this evening and checked the standard rack I have; as it happens its this one.

I've ordered the seat collar and QR axle mount as per your recommendation but the only thing that slightly worries me is the fact the QR axle mount is specifically for Tobus racks with 2 mounting bolts while mine has only one. I went ahead anyway and ordered it as there's not really an alternative and I'm meant to do the M2M cycle in 2 weeks time! So I can only hope that it'll be okay with my single bolt rack but will see how it fits when the QR mount arrives! :rolleyes: