Front Rack & Panniers

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Plax

Guru
Location
Wales
Any recommendations for a front rack and panniers?
I wasn't thinking of spending an absurd amount given the amount of use they'll probably get.

I take it that "universal" panniers means that they can be used front or back?

Front rack-wise I was thinking of this;
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Alloy_Front_Rack/5360033788/

Pannier wise I'm not sure. At the rate I'm going I'll probably go yellow Orlieb front rollers to complement my existing rear yellow ones. A little voice in my head is saying is it worth it given the amount of use they'd get.

Cheers.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Yeah those front racks look cheap and cheerful ............. Just DON'T buy Blackburn front low loaders very poor design. The Rolls Royce of front racks are Tubus Ergos.

Well panniers, what price can you put on durability, functionality and quality?
 
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Plax

Plax

Guru
Location
Wales
Crankarm said:
Yeah those front racks look cheap and cheerful ............. Just DON'T buy Blackburn front low loaders very poor design. The Rolls Royce of front racks are Tubus Ergos.

Well panniers, what price can you put on durability, functionality and quality?

Indeed Crank. Buy cheap buy twice as they say.
I'll not bother with the Blackburn rack then.
 

TheDoctor

Europe Endless
Moderator
Location
The TerrorVortex
That rack looks fine. I take it this is for the Galaxy, and it has the required braze-ons?
If you're not sure you'll use the front panniers much, I'd save a good few squids and go with these Altura panniers at just under 30 of your Earth pounds.
And yes, universal panniers can be used at either end of the bike.
 
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Plax

Plax

Guru
Location
Wales
TheDoctor said:
That rack looks fine. I take it this is for the Galaxy, and it has the required braze-ons?
If you're not sure you'll use the front panniers much, I'd save a good few squids and go with these Altura panniers at just under 30 of your Earth pounds.
And yes, universal panniers can be used at either end of the bike.

Nice one, those look like just the thing.
 

HelenD123

Guru
Location
York
Universal means fits both left and right hand side doesn't it? I think my front racks are Blackburn ones and they are a sod to fit and not great with my Ortliebs. The only reason I have them is they were free!
 

TheDoctor

Europe Endless
Moderator
Location
The TerrorVortex
Oh!!;)
Helen, I have a horrible feeling you could be right. I'm sure I used universal ones on the front, but thinking back, that wasn't on a low-rider rack.
I wonder if Plax has ordered them yet?
 

steve52

I'm back! Yippeee
i would recomend the type that have a stabalizing bar linking the 2 sides, hindsight brings me to this conclusion, allways a usefull thing i wish i could have it first
 

andrew_s

Legendary Member
Location
Gloucester
Do they also attach to the inside of the fork blade? The photo doesn't make it apparent if they do.

There's no loop over the wheel, so no attachment on the inside means a dodgy rack that would be prone to fatigue failure in the mountings and may allow the pannier to twist into the wheel.
 
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Plax

Plax

Guru
Location
Wales
TheDoctor said:
Oh!!:girl:
Helen, I have a horrible feeling you could be right. I'm sure I used universal ones on the front, but thinking back, that wasn't on a low-rider rack.
I wonder if Plax has ordered them yet?

Don't be silly, it takes me several days, if not weeks, to come to terms with parting with any significant sum of money. I'm still dithering.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Altura_Arran_16_Universal_Pannier/5360029309/

Nice little panniers the Arrans although they are NOT waterproof needing the yellow covers which Altura supply plus the mounting hooks on the back of the panniers which go onto the rack are not the really good R&K that are on the Orkneys or other top panniers.

Yes the Blackburn front low loader racks are a bugger as the two rails for mounting the panniers converge to the front where they are welded together, meaning 1/2 the length of the rail cannot be used, as there simply is not enough space to get pannier hooks in. This is especially the case with Ortlieb pannier hooks which are fatter than R&K hooks. A real PITA. Plus they are a bugger to fit as well and have no cross over stay linking the two sides, although I have not had any trouble with mine which aren't linked, as I have taken a lot time to secure them so they are rock solid. But still.

I like the look of these cheapy low loaders from Axiom at CRC. No cross hoop but I think the mounting would be sufficiently strong not to need it. Can't work out if they are steel which would mean one could possibly have a front cross hoop to link them welded on.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14340
 
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Plax

Plax

Guru
Location
Wales
I've seen theat Axiom one. I was put off by the way it attaches to the forks, as my forks have braze ons which I was thinking perhaps would get in the way?
 
Any recommendations for a front rack and panniers?
I wasn't thinking of spending an absurd amount given the amount of use they'll probably get.

I take it that "universal" panniers means that they can be used front or back?

Front rack-wise I was thinking of this;
http://www.wiggle.co...ack/5360033788/

Pannier wise I'm not sure. At the rate I'm going I'll probably go yellow Orlieb front rollers to complement my existing rear yellow ones. A little voice in my head is saying is it worth it given the amount of use they'd get.

Cheers.

I use Old man Mountain racks, as I have found them to be very strong and able to stand the wear and tear of longhaul touring. http://www.oldmanmountain.com the dealer in the UK is Carradice up north in Nelson. http://www.carradice.../categories/omm
 
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