Tubus Tara and Carradice front panniers?

[samid]

Hi all,

Last year I used a pair of Carradice cotton duck panniers in the rear, and a Carradice Super C barbag on the front. The combination worked well but for this year's trip I'm planning to take a bigger/heavier camera and am afraid that it'll be too heavy for the KLICKfix system used by the Carradice bar bag. Hence I thought about using a pair of front panniers on low riders instead. Having a Tubus Cargo rack on the rear and liking it a lot I thought about getting a Tubus Tara on the front, and hanging a pair of Carradice front panniers off it, instead of the barbag. Hence my questions:

- Has anybody used the combination of Tara with Carradice Super C "universal" (front?) (28ltr) panniers? Is that a good combo?

- I see Super C panniers being sold with 2 variants of mounting hardware - "Rixen and Kaul" and "C-system". Any thoughts on advantages/disadvantages of either? Which system would work better with the Tara?

Any other thoughts regarding the use of front panniers (as I've never used those) would also be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ricd11]

If I'm not mistaken Rixen and Kaul is the system used on my Altura Drylines - I don't have any comparison but as a quick response for you I'm very happen with the way they work. They have a clip near the base of the pannier that fits behind the rack and keeps it steady, and the hooks at the top physically clip over the rack tubing, requiring a simple press of a button to release the clips. The only advantage I can think of from my experience is that lining up the bottom clip can take a second or two, but it's hardly an advantage.

I've seen the carradice system in a picture, not really sure how it works

Rich

 

[Percy]

I use Carradice Super C panniers front and rear and also have the Super C bar bag.

I do have a Tubus rack on the front but it is the low rider not the Tara model. It has been excellent for me though - no problems (touch wood) and I would recommend Tubus racks as a result. This is the rack I use:

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/tubus-duo-lowrider-item130878.html

When I bought them there was no fixing option so I have the standard C System attachment. This has worked fine for me, both front and rear, but obviously I don't have experience of the other one to compare. Perhaps it will depend on which rack you are using? I note the Carradice website says, "Now available with the Rixen & Kaul Modul Rail to fit racks 10mm - 16mm in diameter." That would suggest some racks are made with wider tubing than others and therefore require a different fitting..?

A quick call to one of the knowledgable shops (SJS, Spa) usually provides a decent answer on the pros/cons/difference with such things - I've spoken to both of those, and others, before and always found them to be very helpful - sometimes you can't shut them up, such is the enthusiasm!

Just as an aside, I'm considering changing my bar bag for an Ortleib model for my next big trip - I liked the Carradice but found the rivets weak and the boxy design a little cumbersome at times.

 

[samid]

Thanks Percy. Maybe indeed I'll just give them (SJS) a call.

On my Carradice bar bag one of the rivets popped right away - I replaced it with a nut and bolt, and that has held up well so far.

 

[rich p]

I changed to a Tubus Tara last year from the worst lowrider rack ever made (the name escapes me) but I used these

Ortlieb Sport Packer

This was a great combination for what it's worth.

 

[samid]

Just to "close the case" - I called SJS and they told me to get the panniers with Rixen & Kaul Fittings - which I just did. Thanks again to all who replied.

 

[Percy]

Why did they recommend them, Samid? Was it because they best suited the type of rack you're getting or for strength/performance reasons?

 

[samid]

Why did they recommend them, Samid? Was it because they best suited the type of rack you're getting or for strength/performance reasons?

I told them that I wanted to get a Tara lowrider and Carradice universal/front panniers - which come with two different types of fittings - and was told that for Tara, I needed the variant with Rixen & Kaul fittings. So I'm guessing those fittings, well, fit that rack better.

 

[samid]

Just to wrap up this thread, today I received the rack and the panniers from SJS (excellent service as usual, cannot recommend them highly enough) and the fit (of both the rack on the bike, and the panniers on the rack) seems perfect. Will post a pic when I get around to it.