Pannier Rack Fitting Problems

[Llama]

Hi All

I having an issue with fitting a new pletscher rack - see attached photos.
where the stays meet the bike they will not stay flush with the bike and so I am unable to tighten the bolts up enough.

What do you all think, give it up as a bad job and return it, buy a seat post clamp with rack fitting or am I missing something?

bike is an Edinburgh co op courier 26" - rack is pletcher 4b athlete (decathlon)

 

[longers]

Will the bolt not grip the threads at all?

On the three racks I've ever fitted the stays have "pulled in" to the frame while tightening the bolt.

If you think it really won't go then you can get P clips from your LBS.

 

[Llama]

unfortunately they won't pull in as the metal is too thick - i don't really want to bend them because then I can't take them back ?

 

[longers]

Looking at the first photo, what do you reckon to bending the flat tab on the end of the pannier stay closer to the seat stay?

I'd maybe put a cloth or rag round it to stop it getting marked and then get a pair of pliers on it.

Or these are P clips here. Click on the "image" button in the table next to the size you need for a better idea. If you've got one stay bolted in then you'd only need one of these.

 

[New Horizon]

That lug looks to be brazed out of alignment compared to the opposite side, so you're going to have to do some diy to get it to work. You should be able to bend the solid part of the flat slightly - put it in a vice and gently does it. You might also have to elongate the fixing hole slightly to get the bolt through and to take - after that it will pull in as longers says. Alternatively look at a different rack with a more 'flexible' fixing method.

 

[Llama]

Thanks for all the replies - the lugs are aligned pointing forwards - both are the same so I will return and get one from Edinburgh bike -hopefully that should fit!

 

[MacB]

I had similar on my bike, I got both bolts started then just tightened alternately, the rack arms seemed to pull in no problem.

 

[ufkacbln]

That lug looks to be brazed out of alignment compared to the opposite side, so you're going to have to do some diy to get it to work. You should be able to bend the solid part of the flat slightly - put it in a vice and gently does it. You might also have to elongate the fixing hole slightly to get the bolt through and to take - after that it will pull in as longers says. Alternatively look at a different rack with a more 'flexible' fixing method.

That was my thought as well..... I an afrais that bending is the only answer, but bend the rod not the end plate as it is better stresed ro cope with the bending forces.

 

[jay clock]

before you do any bending.....

how do the ends of the pannier rack that you show in your pic attach to the rack itself? Are they part of it? Or are they fixed by some movable nut arrangement. If so, I had one with a similar prob, and I solved it by moving the pannier arm bits to the outside of the nuts (hard to describe) so that the arms were angled in slightly, thus being fittable......

 

[Llama]

Thanks all for your replies - User - i think your right about the arms being too thick. - I don't think the lugs are out of line - just my poor camera work!
Jay Clock - they do slide - however they cannot move over anymore due to the spring clip arrangement
Thanks again! - probably be posting again when the new rack arrives!

 

[e-rider]

most decent racks come with support bars that are 'angled' or bent to avoid this very problem - if you can't bend them a little without breaking them, look for another rack with decent fittings.

 

[e-rider]

another easy and cheap solution would be to forget about the bosses and fit p-clips

£2 and job done

 

[Llama]

New rack ordered! - with fittings that can be bent into place!

Thanks for all the advise