Pannier Advice and Recommendations?

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PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
(reposted from BikeRadar - sorry to those who inhabit both forums, I don't mean to spam, just want to get a range of advice)

I'm riding a GT Avalanche 2.0 on my commute - it's not ideal, but it's what I have. I don't really have the cash or space for anything else at the moment. At present I am carrying everything I can in a Camelbak, though soon I will need to start carrying more with me (term time - I work at a college).

My commute is about 12 miles, and I figured panniers would do the job. However for the life of me I cannot seem to find any that will fit. The bike isn't full suspension, but I don't see anywhere for the rack to be attached near the hub of the wheel. Most bikes seem to have extra eyelets where bolts could be passed through - this one doesn't.

Am I being exceptionally stupid here, or would I be better off thinking again? The other alternative would be a Beam rack, though I'm a little nervous about how secure they would be.

Any tips... and even better, pointers towards good racks?
 

Tim Bennet.

Entirely Average Member
Location
S of Kendal
If you don't have threaded eyes to mount the rack, an alternative method uses 'P' clips secured around the seat stays. They are a bit more fiddly to mount, but do a good job with regular loads on normal roads.

Try you LBS, Halfords or if all else fails, SJS Cycles (but beware their P&P costs on small items.)
 
Unusal not to have fittings, does it have disc brakes?

Regardless as Tim says you can get some P clips for a rack , they are the sort of thing a LBS may sell you for pennies or if you dont have one local SJS will sell you for pounds:sad:. .

Those GT's are great bikes by the way , get a rack, slicks and some mudguards you have a perfect commuter or leave it as it is and you have a pretty good one!! Once you get the rack sorted , I personally prefer Ortlieb panniers, thats only because there the ones I have though (front rollers , used on the back), no complaints so far.

all the best
 
OP
OP
PBancroft

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
Thanks for the help everyone.

starseven said:
Unusal not to have fittings, does it have disc brakes?

Yes, it does have disc brakes. I'll make a trip to the LBS later today or tomorrow and see what they recommend.

Dayvo said:
I have one of these and it meets most of my needs.

That's probably big enough for all of my needs - until I get around to touring the coast of mainland Britain that is.
 
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PBancroft

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
andrew_s said:
Disc brake calipers can get in the way of rack legs.

If you look like having problems, look at the Old Man Mountain racks.

That's maybe a bit pricey for me. When I do get around to touring the coast of Britain... or circumnavigating the world... that would probably do fine.
 
Kaipaith said:
That's maybe a bit pricey for me. When I do get around to touring the coast of Britain... or circumnavigating the world... that would probably do fine.

An extra long M5 bolt and half a dozen washers will often push the rack leg past a disc caliper.;) courtesy of the bodge it and scarper manual.
 

alfablue

New Member
This Lifeline Disc Rack
lifeline-disc-rack-main.jpg

is as far as I know, the cheapest rack suitable for bikes with disk brakes. It's £15.99 from Wiggle. My friend had one on our recent tour and it worked fine, rated to 25kg.
 
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PBancroft

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
In the end, I got one of these.

It seems to work fine. Nicely tightened, it doesn't move up or down at all, but can move from side to side if jolted with a sudden force,but not easily.

All in all, including the bag, it came to about £50 from my LBS, about the same price as off Wiggle. I can fit most of what I need in there, including fresh shirt and food quite neatly, and the tool drawer is kinda handy, but a bit on the small side.

For commuting my distance, it's perfect. Thanks for all the advice - if I was going for a longer trip I would certainly invest in something a bit more robust (and a bigger bag and side panniers too).
 
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