Wear to pannier rack.

[Andrew Brown]

I have a tortec velocity rack that I'm about to fit to my new commuter; it's served well in last 2 years, but the panniers (ortlieb , back rollers, I think) havn't worn but they have cut grooves and all sorts in to the aluminium.

Any tips in protecting to prevent this getting worse and preventing my next rack suffering the same. I've got the pannier attachments set up to prevent movement as best as I can, there is almost now slop vertically and bare minimum fore and aft.

Andy

 

[Matthew_T]

I take it your commute is quite bumpy? With my panniers because there is that much weight in them, they dont move about. I have also secured mine on with a bungee cord. It works very well at restricting movement.

 

[Andrew Brown]

Well, it's 11.5 miles each way, and approx 9 of that is cycle path, so it's not silky smooth I guess. The panniers are really good, and I rarely have them empty, so it's got load on them. I'll have to try a bungee as an option.

 

[sabian92]

To be honest, I'd get a new rack and make sure it was rated for at least 25kg just so it's got a bit of reserve strength left over.

I wouldn't put that rack on my bike if you paid me! I googled that rack and it says "suitable for light touring/commuting" but I wouldn't say it was if that's the state of it after that short of time.

That being said, I've got a tortec rack too.

 

[2Loose]

I think that I'd just accept that ali tubing is going to eventually show wear around the area that the panniers grip it.
If you are that bothered, get a steel rack, it will last longer but weigh more.
YMMV.

 

[Davidc]

Ali racks do fail after a while, mine always have anyway.

Steel lasts longer but still scratches and then rusts.

I just accept it as a cost of carrying loads on the bikes. Better quality higher rated ones last longer but still don't last forever. Neither do the panniers.

 

[mcshroom]

Put insulation tape round the contact points and replace whenever it is starting to wear through. You could also try sticking some old inner-tube rubber in the contact spots.

 

[Andrew Brown]

I did quite a while ago zip tie rubber in fact, but it stopped the ortlieb sliding on properly. I've also tried tape, it does work a bit, as you say. Might just have to go back to that option, and yes treat it as new rack every 3 yrs! Anyone make titanium racks?

 

[mcshroom]

Tubus do, but you are looking at £100+ for one

 

[XRHYSX]

Put insulation tape round the contact points and replace whenever it is starting to wear through. You could also try sticking some old inner-tube rubber in the contact spots.

I did quite a while ago zip tie rubber in fact, but it stopped the ortlieb sliding on properly. I've also tried tape, it does work a bit, as you say. Might just have to go back to that option, and yes treat it as new rack every 3 yrs! Anyone make titanium racks?

Have you tried black Duct/Gaffa tape?