What's a good pair of rear panniers?
 

I'm probably going to get this rack for my 1,400 mile tour this summer.

Axiom Streamliner Road Dlx Rear Rack Black | eBay

It's one of the only rear rack models that attaches at the rear brake caliper thread.

I will be attaching this rack via the rear caliper thread & P clamps on the seat stays (I like my rear wheel to be directly in touch with the dropouts).

--------------------------------------------------------

What kind of panniers go with this rack though? It's especially narrow...

I'm looking for:

1. Waterproof
2. Able to hold "lots of gear & food & water"
3. Two panniers on the sides & one big pannier on top

(I suppose I could just use the two side panniers & strap a sleeping bag, sleeping pad & tent on top of them with bungee cords)

Ortlieb and Arkel (my favorite) are two top brands of panniers. My wife and I use two models of Arkels (there are many sizes and models) with narrow Tubus racks (the Tubus Fly can also attach to the brake bolt), but that rack won't work with a rack bag. There are other approaches for something above the rack with the volume of a rack bag. Make sure the P-clamps are really solid, well-mounted ones - that's where all the pannier weight transfers into the frame.

You gonna strap all that stuff to such a narrow rack?

As for panniers, Ortlieb Back Packer Plus are what I use. I would call thetouringstore.com. Wayne sells Ortliebs and may have some rack alternatives for you that will work with your bike, which sounds like it does not have eyelets.

Is the bike you're putting this on able to carry big rear panniers and lots o stuff well? If it's a road bike I'd suggest working with it's road bike qualities and not overload the rear, use small panniers and try to move some weight forward with water bottles in the frame triangle and sleeping bag in compression sack under handlebars or on mini front rack

Quote:

---

Two panniers on the sides & one big pannier on top

---

the Ortlieb Rack pack, across on top. and back-roller panniers offer a snap together ,3 pc set.
but, still, a strap around the rack, fore&aft, would be a good idea.

Here's the 1980's Cannondale I'm planning to use.

It's missing a rack, panniers, fenders, a mirror, and, from my experience on a 40 mile ride, more comfortable grip tape, seat, and brake hoods.

----------------------------------------------

Bike as Whole:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372349

Fork Dropouts:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372350

Rear dropouts:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372351

Seat Stays:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372353

Front Fender Attachment:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372354

Rear Quick Release:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=372355

Do you know of a wider rack I can use for my bike?

This is the gear I need to take, probably not as much as I originally made it out to be:

http://bit.ly/QjYFTP

Jandd makes beautiful bags that are not crazy expensive. They are well designed and bomb proof.

Jannd "Expedition" is a solid wide rear rack. If you can find the old Performance "Transit" Rear Panniers check them out.
Not waterproof but solid. They are the only bags I have.

It would be pretty easy to make this rack work by bending one of the forward stays to fit the caliper bolt. FWIW, the forward stay on a bike rack carries very little load.

https://ecom1.planetbike.com/4001.html

There were Blackburn racks that had the caliper mounting point (have one on a bike). You might check used bike part emporiums, eBay, etc.

I suspect that your rear dropouts could be drilled and tapped for the heavily loaded vertical rack members. Perhaps that small hole forward of the axle was intended for rack stays?

I use Ortlieb and really like them. Whatever you do don't cheap out. A friend that is very comfortable financially cheaped out and bought a set of Nashbar panniers. The backing on his bags failed during a tour of the Selkirk Loop up in British Columbia. The backing went into his wheel and he flipped over the handlebars. He suffered many abrasions and a puncture wound to his side.

So when he got back home he called Nashbar. What does he do? He gets them to send him a new set of the same bags!

Ortlieb Backroller Classic, yellow--but I'm biased.

Waterproof is hard to beat. The contents don't even need to be removed when washing the mud off.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...ff052a1d2a.jpg

FWIW- I'd use the hole in your rear dropouts with a spacer to mount the rear rack. I've used spacers on my front racks. The spacers actually come with the racks. Steel spacers of various lengths can be found at most hardware stores. It should not take too much to clear your seat stays. IMO, better than P-clamps.

P.S. I just checked my wife's bike and I used spacers to mount a Tubus Cargo rear rack on her bike. She uses just rear panniers and a rack bag. Her rack has been on there for 4 years and 10,000 miles with no problems.

I even thread a thin nylon washer on the bolt. It protects bike finish and keeps the bolt and spacers safe when racks have to be removed when shipping the bike..

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...0341eb5e07.jpg

Tubus Cargo, for one. Look at thetouringstore.com. They are very helpful. Nitto Big Rear Rack from Rivendell if you have the coin for it.

As spinnaker notes, don't cheap out on panniers.

My wife uses this method quite effectively. Carrying sleeping bag, pad, tent, pillow in a large bag makes it easier to handle rather than juggling all those separate items. This is especially important when shipping gear or boarding trains or other modes of transportation.

Ortlieb Packer plus with Ortlieb rackpack. She was taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...fcfc247a78.jpg

Same system, only with smaller Ortlieb Packer Plus front panniers used on the rear.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...6dca7d0fb9.jpg

+1 to the recommendation of the Ortlieb rollers. I use them with a heady-duty dry bag across the back rack for more gear. (It's more or less the same idea as the Ortlieb rack pack, just cheaper.)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=374571

Last year I got a pair of Arkel Utility Baskets...these are no longer on their web site but it looks like the City Baskets have taken their place. These are basically one big pocket that you can dump a lot of stuff in. 3,300 cubic inches for the pair. Pretty waterproof, with built-in waterproof hoods (on last year's model, anyway) and optional rain covers. These aren't even on Arkel's Touring web page, but worth a look if you want to load up with food and water and not have to hit the stores so frequently.

Arkel - City Basket - Perfect Commuting pannier

I have a set of Arkel GT-54s and I love them and the folks I talked with who had them or similar Arkels love them. There are folks who are riding with the same ones from 15+ years ago and the worst thing is some sun damage.

One nice thing about the GT-54s is the tent sleeve on the right side. I use it for my hammock supplies to keep them organized and out of the way to free up my inner panniers for the rest of my gear. Plus they have tons of pockets and a great attachment system to a rack.

The benchmark from my observations is Ortlieb or Arkel.
I'm very happy with my Ortlieb rear Roller Classics with 31 liter rack bag for the rear to match the fronts Roller Classics and Ultimate 5 bar bag.
All in yellow in an attempt to be visible during daylight.

I think you have excellent taste and judgement:rolleyes:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...fa6f6d3ef5.jpg

I think the Axiom streamliner rack will be fine. As long as you have the Axiom rack, why don't you pair it up with Axiom waterproof panniers. They are similar to Ortlieb but not as expensive and they should attach to the the rack perfectly.

As well as bike buckets The Bike Bucket - Bike Buckets

I like the idea of waterproof top with the rest breathable like the Racktime Travelit. (Same company as Ortlieb from what I know.)

I've owned a bunch over the years, most all have given me good service and been mentioned above. The only ones that really gave me problems were some cheap Nashbar panniers, but that was 25 years ago and I'm guessing that their quality probably has improved over time. (Though after reading Spin's account above, maybe not?)

I usually think that technology must improve cheap products over time too but keep getting disappointed by "deals". I have some Sunlite Traveler panniers that may work but when loaded with 4 liter water bottles, they can push inward and hit the spokes while I'm riding.