What Pannier/rack do you use?

[silkishuge]

G'day,

Feeling alot better and I hope to be back on the saddle tomorrow. While stuck at home, I had alot of time to look through websites looking for panner/rack combination for the new bike. I have a Topeak MTX one but I find that is too restrictive because of its weight limit. I recall it was 5 kg or around that weight..... I guess it is limited because it is only supported by a seat post clamp.

Could people with experience good/bad of pannier and racks please post some of the advantages and disadvantages of some. I would like to spend as little as possible for a reliable sturdy pannier rack system.

Thanks,
J

[wombatK]

G'day,
I have a Topeak MTX one but I find that is too restrictive because of its weight limit. I recall it was 5 kg or around that weight..... I guess it is limited because it is only supported by a seat post clamp.

Does the bike has mounting lugs on the seat stays and rear axle ? If not, you might need to check the weight bearing capability of the bike, then look at the Tubus clamps and racks. Tubus have QR-skewer mounts, but they're tailor-made for their (expensive) racks - fitting others like Topeaks won't work.

The MTX racks are good for 9 kg. Not too many people need or would lug 9 kg on and off the buses/trains/cars etc.,. The bike spares plus bag weight will probably take out 1.5 to 2 kg. Should be plenty of payload left for lunch, workclothes, rainwear and even a light laptop (although why you'd need to cart one with the size of flash disks now ???).

If the bike has rack mounts on the frame, a pannier would get the weight down lower, be easier to pack (less crushing) and give you improved stability. I've found a Toppeak Tubular Rack with extensions for disk mounts worked really well on my MTB, and got some cheap Tioga waterproof panniers from Anaconda (around $120 for a pair on special, probably deleted items now) that also have been real good value.

Cheers

[silkishuge]

Thanks Wombat. Well, I mainly need it for my grocery runs. I use to lug a cart around when I was living in Vic but don't feel safe doing the same in Sydney. The cart is rated top speed 20 km/h but I have used it for over a year at 25km/h and it is fine. I use to load the car up to about 25-40 kg depending on what is needed for the week. I thought heavy duty panniers would be ideal. I only carry my backpack to work and don't need panniers for work.

J

[wombatK]

Thanks Wombat. Well, I mainly need it for my grocery runs. I use to lug a cart around when I was living in Vic but don't feel safe doing the same in Sydney. The cart is rated top speed 20 km/h but I have used it for over a year at 25km/h and it is fine. I use to load the car up to about 25-40 kg depending on what is needed for the week. I thought heavy duty panniers would be ideal. I only carry my backpack to work and don't need panniers for work.

J

Think for over 20 kg, you'd want front and rear panniers to give a reasonable distribution of weight, and a frame (chain/seat stays and forks) that is guaranteed as good for that. Although if you've got a cart already, you might find the traffic is more respectful when you're using that.

I've noticed that even when you put panniers on, you get more respect and clearance from passing cars. It's the Theory Of Big kicking in - panniers make you bigger, cart makes you even bigger, means even more respect.

Cheers

WombatK

[silkishuge]

hmmmm. I will give it a go. I never tried out the cart yet on Sydney Rds. I am just a little worried that a car might hit the cart because they do not anticipate my length. I have had experiences where cars making right turns in the opposing traffic give me just enough time to cross the junction.

J