racks, panniers and heel clearance

[iLB]

I'm doing lejog in June and was hoping to bodge a rack onto my allez frame, but thinking about it whilst riding a long yesterday I thought even if i managed it any pannier that was then attached would probably prevent me from pedaling my size 11 boats. I'm sure I've read about this issue before, is there a way around it- or are the racks designed long enough to avoid it?

Another guy on the same ride is considering a SQR Tour carradice bag, which is essentially a 16L saddle bag- we are not camping, does this sound manageable for a 10 day tour to people with more (i.e any) experience?

 

[MacB]

Depends on how you want to pack, but I'm sure you could borrow a beam rack from someone to try with a rackpack...I could lend you a rackpack to use. I know Dell has a really fetching big saddlebag thingy.

If you're pre-booking accomodation then I'd favour posting kit ahead to desired points and travelling lighter. Maybe carry 2 days worth so make 3 drops by post and repackage the dirty stuff and leave for someone to post back. Requires a little planning and some mailer bags.

 

[iLB]

beam rack I think I can fathom, rack pack though? I think I'll just take two jerseys and two pairs of bibs and wash them on alternate nights, we are also planning a night in Sheffield where we can all keep fresh stuff if we want.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

three pairs, one on, one dry, one drying works for me. can never seem to get the pads dry in 24 hours and I hate putting damp kit on.

with large plates you simply have to set the panniers way back on the rack frame on a non-touring frame. actually even on a touring bike you may have to. Makes for an interesting experience when climbing on really steep stuff and makes the bike very hard to shoulder or carry if you need to lift it.

rack pack is a bag that sits on a rack; beam or otherwise. The only downside of rack packs and large saddlebags on otherwise unencumbered bikes is the pendulum effect if you ever get out of the saddle to honk. Lots of weight up high. It has had me off once before I knew better.

if not camping, travel very light and post ahead 'signed for' (but check they got it before you arrive and give clear instructions; one B&B owner in Wales posted my stuff back to me before I arrived!) and mail your dirties home as per MacB. It has worked for me.

all imo. Others will know better or different.

 

[MacB]

beam rack I think I can fathom, rack pack though? I think I'll just take two jerseys and two pairs of bibs and wash them on alternate nights, we are also planning a night in Sheffield where we can all keep fresh stuff if we want.

rack pack is a rack top bag rather than a pannier by way of example mine is the Arkel Tailrider:-

http://www.arkel-od.com/us/tailrider.html

beam rack is, as you suspect, a rack that attaches at seatpost only, though I know Arkel do a version that has 3 point attachment via seatpost and saddle rails. I also know that TimO has both the Tailrider and their beam rack.

You could also go with one of the big Carradice saddle bags with a support bracket. Again lots of people you know will have these in various models.

I'm giving consideration to cost here as in thinking you don't want to spend more than you need to. If you're also looking at a solution for this trip only, rather than starting to build up your own touring/camping kit, then loansies are the way forward.

I haven't got a suitable rack but you're welcome to a loan of my Tailrider or either/both of my Ortlieb Backroller Classic panniers. Between all the folks you know via here I reckon we could kit you out for this trip no problem at all.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

panniers btw are a real drag. aerodynamically that is. in a way saddle bags and rack packs are not. now fat boys like me may not care but beacon stormers like yourself should consider that factor.

 

[iLB]

I rode a 70 mile out and back to do an open 10 tt on Saturday with a small rucksack on and didn't find it to be a big issue... could be a solution with a large ish saddle bag for heavier stuff?

 

[ceepeebee]

I did a 3 day, 60 mile plus per day with an osprey 25ltr backpack and a big ortlieb saddle-pack and while I never got back ache, it did get a bit hot/uncomfortable (this was in that last heatwave in September last year) though. It was clothes/small bits in the rucksack; tools, spares etc in the saddle pack, which seems much bigger than the 3 litres stated.

I do have a lovely PDW rack to fit to my kaffenback, but not got round to it yet as I've not done a trip that's needed such a load (or got panniers for that matter, waiting for a good deal on ortliebs for that.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I'm doing lejog in June and was hoping to bodge a rack onto my allez frame, but thinking about it whilst riding a long yesterday I thought even if i managed it any pannier that was then attached would probably prevent me from pedaling my size 11 boats. I'm sure I've read about this issue before, is there a way around it- or are the racks designed long enough to avoid it?

Another guy on the same ride is considering a SQR Tour carradice bag, which is essentially a 16L saddle bag- we are not camping, does this sound manageable for a 10 day tour to people with more (i.e any) experience?

The solution I've decided upon is to yes go for the larger Carradice for everything apart from tent/sleeping bag/mat. Those will be mounted on top of the pannier rack so my heels remain unhindered but I can still carry more on the rack. Oh and a bar bag as well

 

[ceepeebee]

The solution I've decided upon is to yes go for the larger Carradice for everything apart from tent/sleeping bag/mat. Those will be mounted on top of the pannier rack so my heels remain unhindered but I can still carry more on the rack. Oh and a bar bag as well

I think this may be a best of both worlds kind of deal

 

[willem]

The problem with road bikes is that they are relatively short, so heel clearance is a bigger problem than with touring bikes. You can try to mount the luggage further back on the rack by moving the clamps. However, the result is of course that you move the centre of gravity back as well. If you are not camping you really do not need to take much. A traditional Carradice saddle bag will suffice, and will keep the centre of gravity as far forward as possible. Use a good support like the Bagman for the medium size bags, or the Nitto R10 rack for the big ones. Beam shaped seatpost racks are notoriously unstable.
Enjoy,
Willem

 

[iLB]

Options are looking good here, also if one is travelling very light what do you wear in the evening?

 

[wiggydiggy]

The last (and so far only) tour I did I was in a B+B and then at a friends house for both evenings so just a pair of trousers and a t-shirt did it for me, in fact I managed with just my 9 litre barley although I did have the waterproofs strapped on top of it.

 

[derrick]

Very interesting, we are planning a trip to holland, my wife wanted a pannier rack to carry her gear, we are still waiting for the bags to come, never thought about heel clearance, will have to try it and see how we go, i'am quite happy with a rucksack.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Options are looking good here, also if one is travelling very light what do you wear in the evening?

Lightweight craghoppers? MTB style baggies which can double up on the bike? Ranch sliders? Shorts?

any one of which have accompanied me on different credit card tours, generally only needed for walk to pub, to sit in the pub and nom, and walk back anyway.