Top_Saracen
New Member
Hi All.
I am hoping someone here has some ideas that might help me.
Has anyone on this forum ever tried out a Kona Minute (or Kona Ute - indentical to the Kona Minute except much longer, heavier, with bigger panniers, and more expensive)? These are 'similar' to the Surly Big Dummy but without (I think) such long chainstays and drive chain. I asked a local(ish) bike shop who said that even the Kona Minute was nearly as long as a tandem and quite heavy.
As I am only 5'3" (and have joint problems, so I need any bike I ride to be as light as possible, whether it is loaded or not) I need some way to mount my quite large Karrimor (or some other similarly large) panniers to my 16.5" framed 1993 Specialized Rockhopper (rigid frame and forks), without my heels striking the panniers when they are in situ (like they do - stopping me being able to use them on this bike).
I have thought that if the rack could be somehow mounted between 2 and 4 inches further back than 'standard' that would be fine as this would solve the heel striking problem AND save me the money that a new (or even used) 'cargo' bike would cost. I currently use a rack bag on TOP of the rear rack that has SMALL side bags which unzip to create 'panniers', but these can't carry much and the 'rack top part' of the bag obscures the rear light as well, which is attched to the seat post as this is the only place the light will fit (the rack has NOWHERE to mount the rear light either).
I have even cosidered paying a welder to extend the top and side frame of the aluminium rack - without changing the mounting points - but I don't think this is a big enough job for anyone to consider even 'wasting' their time on it.
I could use a similar rack and rack bag on the front of this bike but both rack bags together have less storage space than ONE of my Karrimor panniers. I have already tried these Karrimor panniers on the front of the bike but they make steering too heavy when they are loaded.
Thanks in advance, for any help
Top_Saracen
I am hoping someone here has some ideas that might help me.
Has anyone on this forum ever tried out a Kona Minute (or Kona Ute - indentical to the Kona Minute except much longer, heavier, with bigger panniers, and more expensive)? These are 'similar' to the Surly Big Dummy but without (I think) such long chainstays and drive chain. I asked a local(ish) bike shop who said that even the Kona Minute was nearly as long as a tandem and quite heavy.
As I am only 5'3" (and have joint problems, so I need any bike I ride to be as light as possible, whether it is loaded or not) I need some way to mount my quite large Karrimor (or some other similarly large) panniers to my 16.5" framed 1993 Specialized Rockhopper (rigid frame and forks), without my heels striking the panniers when they are in situ (like they do - stopping me being able to use them on this bike).
I have thought that if the rack could be somehow mounted between 2 and 4 inches further back than 'standard' that would be fine as this would solve the heel striking problem AND save me the money that a new (or even used) 'cargo' bike would cost. I currently use a rack bag on TOP of the rear rack that has SMALL side bags which unzip to create 'panniers', but these can't carry much and the 'rack top part' of the bag obscures the rear light as well, which is attched to the seat post as this is the only place the light will fit (the rack has NOWHERE to mount the rear light either).
I have even cosidered paying a welder to extend the top and side frame of the aluminium rack - without changing the mounting points - but I don't think this is a big enough job for anyone to consider even 'wasting' their time on it.
I could use a similar rack and rack bag on the front of this bike but both rack bags together have less storage space than ONE of my Karrimor panniers. I have already tried these Karrimor panniers on the front of the bike but they make steering too heavy when they are loaded.
Thanks in advance, for any help
Top_Saracen