Front panniers

[Aushiker]

G'day

I have ordered a Tubus Swing for my Giant XTC 2 which has front suspension. From what I have found it out this is the better design approach for carrying panniers on suspension forks.

For panniers, I will use my Ortleib Cassic Roller front panniers.

Regards
Andrew

 

[Crankarm]

I looked at this rack and didn't feel it was right for a number of reasons 1) The mounted bags create a very high centre of gravity which MAY adversely affect handling and ease of control of bicycle and 2) it would be adding substantially to the weight ie yours, compressing the forks.

It would be helpful if you good credit the source of your "finding out" about this rack being the better design approach for carrying panniers on suspension forks or was it Wiggle's own blurb which no doubt will be slanted to sell these racks.

 

[Aushiker]

It would be helpful if you good credit the source of your "finding out" about this rack being the better design approach for carrying panniers on suspension forks or was it Wiggle's own blurb which no doubt will be slanted to sell these racks.

As I often do when considering purchases I search around and/or ask in forums where I consider the advice may be useful. In this case my decision was based on feedback from the Surly Long Haul Truckers Owner Group IIRC and the Australian Cycling Forums. Given either my past knowledge of the members contributions and/or the depth of their comments in relation to my request for information I made made my purchasing decision which I believe will work out okay for me given my intended use.

I am sure a Google search will bring up the discussions if you are so interested.

BTW I have a handling issue anyway, hence the wish to distribute some weight foward and (b) the comments I have seen suggest otherwise with respect to the compression. One of the reasons to go with this sort of mounting over one connected directly to the fork.

Anyway, no doubt I will find out if that is a smart move or not in due course. I doubt I can be any worse off anyway.

Regards
Andrew

 

[hubbike]

Old Man Mountain are indeed the specialists, and my OMM favourite would be the Ultimate lowrider. Personally, however, I am apprehensive about any front rack on suspension bikes. Suspension forks are just not as strong and stiff as rigid forks. Instead, I think I would recommend that you use the 150 pounds or so that you save by not having a front rack and front panniers to reduce the weight of your luggage. Your bike will handle much better, even with only 2 kg less. And don't forget: a front rack and panniers weigh 2-2.5 kg, even empty.
Willem

The purpose of suspension is to go fast. As a tourer speed is unlikely to be a primary concern (when compared to load carrying ability and reliability). In the future you're better off with rigid front forks and tubus racks.

For now, get something cheap, get some P-clips and get on with it. if you like touring you'll invest in good kit when you get the chance.

 

[Crankarm]

Old Man Mountain are indeed the specialists, and my OMM favourite would be the Ultimate lowrider. Personally, however, I am apprehensive about any front rack on suspension bikes. Suspension forks are just not as strong and stiff as rigid forks. Instead, I think I would recommend that you use the 150 pounds or so that you save by not having a front rack and front panniers to reduce the weight of your luggage. Your bike will handle much better, even with only 2 kg less. And don't forget: a front rack and panniers weigh 2-2.5 kg, even empty.
Willem

The purpose of suspension is to go fast. As a tourer speed is unlikely to be a primary concern (when compared to load carrying ability and reliability). In the future you're better off with rigid front forks and tubus racks.

For now, get something cheap, get some P-clips and get on with it. if you like touring you'll invest in good kit when you get the chance.

Didn't you realise, but Willem only buys good kit.

 

[Bodhbh]

I looked at this rack and didn't feel it was right for a number of reasons 1) The mounted bags create a very high centre of gravity which MAY adversely affect handling and ease of control of bicycle

I had the Tubus Swing for a while plus sus forks. The bags are indeed quite high up. I did find switching to Kona P2s and the OMM lowrider gave better handling on the road, and tbh now the bike seems to handle even better with the front loaded heavily. But it's not like the bike was wildly uncontrollable with the Swing, they both do the job.

If bags clipping the floor is liable to be a problem, the OMM rack has 2 rails at different heights. I've never had a problem with panniers scrapping stuff the ground yet, although I use small ones up front.

 

[mickle]

I looked at this rack and didn't feel it was right for a number of reasons 1) The mounted bags create a very high centre of gravity which MAY adversely affect handling and ease of control of bicycle and 2) it would be adding substantially to the weight ie yours, compressing the forks.

It would be helpful if you good credit the source of your "finding out" about this rack being the better design approach for carrying panniers on suspension forks or was it Wiggle's own blurb which no doubt will be slanted to sell these racks.

Google 'unsprung mass'.

 

[vernon]

I looked at this rack and didn't feel it was right for a number of reasons 1) The mounted bags create a very high centre of gravity which MAY adversely affect handling and ease of control of bicycle and 2) it would be adding substantially to the weight ie yours, compressing the forks.

It would be helpful if you good credit the source of your "finding out" about this rack being the better design approach for carrying panniers on suspension forks or was it Wiggle's own blurb which no doubt will be slanted to sell these racks.

Crankarm is entitled to his unsupported opinions but he really ought to provide some evidence of his own research before demanding evidence from others.

 

[headcoat]

We seem to be getting differing opinions here and I am still none the wiser

Looks like its either rigid OMM or Tubus Swing...I'm just going to have to fork (excuse the pun) out and get some then sell them if they don't feel right!

My other question which has been overlooked....will I have to get special front panniers?

thanks

 

[psmiffy]

Forgive me for butting in - never used front panniers with suspension - but I have used them with a rigid fork for over 56000k

1. My experience is that the height is irrelavent - I use 46l or 56l panniers on a high front rack without being bothered by the handling
2. the size of panniers that you can use on either of the two racks you have in mind will be my my standards very small and not add that much weight to the front unsprung or otherwise - particulary in view of the fact that modern sus forks have lockouts and a high degree of adjustability wrt to stiffness
3. no you will need special front panniers - just small ones

PS - Welcome back Crankarm

 

[mickle]

We seem to be getting differing opinions here and I am still none the wiser

Time to spell it all out then.

Leaving the specifics of suspension forks aside for a moment... There are two kinds of front pannier rack: 'normal' (where the pannier rail is at the same level as a rear rack - above the wheel) and 'low-riders' which are mounted lower on the side of the fork blade and which are sometimes connected by a stabilizing loop over the front of the wheel. On some bikes, with some racks, it's possible to use both at the same time for maximum carrying capacity.

The pro's of each type are as follows:

'Normal' racks have greater ground clearance, provide a luggage platform which is usually used for bulky but lightweight items such as sleeping bag, carrymat/bedroll.

'Lowrider' racks lower the centre of gravity of the load so that it sits below the steering axis of the fork. This has the benefit of weighting the steering around the straight ahead position - stabilizing the bike's handling, a good thing for long hours in the saddle.

Any significant weight added to the steering end of the bike will affect the handling. The higher the weight, the greater the tendency to wheel flop.

Bicycle suspension - like any vehicle suspension - functions best when 'unsprung weight' is kept to a minimum. 'Sprung weight' is that part of the vehicle supported by the suspension: a car's body shell, a bike's frame. Minimising unsprung weight allows the suspension to move up and down quickly in response to the terrain. Adding a pair of panniers to the sliders of a suspension fork severely limits their ability to react.

In addition, steering a pair of panniers attached to a rigid fork there is a direct connection between the handlebar grips and the rack via the bars, stem and steerer. However rigid a sus fork manufacturer tries to make their fork - for the purposes of steering precision - the stanchions and sliders are separate components. Steering a pair of heavy bags puts undue load on this connection. They just aren't designed for it.

So. To sum up, if you require good clearance for occasional forays off road your best bet is a fork crown mounted rack of the kind pictured above.

My preference would be low-riders bolted to a rigid fork.

 

[psmiffy]

My preference would be low-riders bolted to a rigid fork.

I do not think that anyone has suggested that it is a perfect arrangement - but a good enough workround for occasional use


My preference is a high rack on a good quality rigid fork

 

[mickle]

I do not think that anyone has suggested that it is a perfect arrangement ....

Have you read the thread?

 

[psmiffy]

Have you read the thread?

Yes - and having reviewed it again nowhere has anyone suggested that it would be a perfect arrangement, the words - occasional use, apprehensive, In the future you're better off with rigid front forks and tubus racks, etc, et al seem to be prevalent

 

[mickle]

Yes - and having reviewed it again nowhere has anyone suggested that it would be a perfect arrangement, the words - occasional use, apprehensive, In the future you're better off with rigid front forks and tubus racks, etc, et al seem to be prevalent

I have a Kona MTB with a Tubus Ergo low loader on. I have made some mounts to attach the front rack to the suspension fork. It works a treat. ....