Front pannier racks
09-26-20, 01:27 PM
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Front pannier racks
I’ve fitted Blackburn Custom Lowrider front pannier racks to my Cube SL Road Pro.
The forks have only one eyelet on the mid-fork outer side so there are two fixing points - the mid-fork eyelet using the spacer between the rack bars and to the fork dropout eyelet with a clip around the diagonal bar (wrapped in insulation tape for friction).
I used Ortlieb Back Roller City panniers on the racks today but was concerned about how secure the fitting is. The bolt used in the mid-fork is an M5 with thread lock applied. I’m also going to diagonally affix two cable ties as a fail safe.
Pics attached.
Thoughts?
The forks have only one eyelet on the mid-fork outer side so there are two fixing points - the mid-fork eyelet using the spacer between the rack bars and to the fork dropout eyelet with a clip around the diagonal bar (wrapped in insulation tape for friction).
I used Ortlieb Back Roller City panniers on the racks today but was concerned about how secure the fitting is. The bolt used in the mid-fork is an M5 with thread lock applied. I’m also going to diagonally affix two cable ties as a fail safe.
Pics attached.
Thoughts?
09-26-20, 06:53 PM
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I’m not sure your set up is going to work. The arms of the on the rack are supposed to be on either side of the fork blade. That keeps it from twisting. I don’t think the way you have it now will be that stable. The regular hoop version of either the Blackburn or Tubus racks keeps the rack stable. You may need to add that hoop since you can’t clamp it on both sides of the fork.
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09-26-20, 07:19 PM
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#1 : follow cyccommute's advice.
#2 : where did you come up with this installation? Were you following the manufacturers instructions?
When I was looking at front pannier racks, I downloaded the directions first. This was when I learned that a Tubus tara was the most accessible rack for my fork.
#2 : where did you come up with this installation? Were you following the manufacturers instructions?
When I was looking at front pannier racks, I downloaded the directions first. This was when I learned that a Tubus tara was the most accessible rack for my fork.
09-26-20, 07:31 PM
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I’m not sure your set up is going to work. The arms of the on the rack are supposed to be on either side of the fork blade. That keeps it from twisting. I don’t think the way you have it now will be that stable. The regular hoop version of either the Blackburn or Tubus racks keeps the rack stable. You may need to add that hoop since you can’t clamp it on both sides of the fork.
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09-26-20, 07:48 PM
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I would not ride that with any sort of substantial load affixed to the rack. The upper mounting bolt will not be able withstand the leverage from the weight being thrown around and will want to bend, causing the rack to twist due to the play introduced. This could end quite catastrophically if the rack were to twist around the fork blade into the spokes. You will need to either modify the installation, or procure a rack designed to work with the mounting points provided on your particular fork.
09-27-20, 05:20 AM
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That upper mounting bolt will be the focus of a lot of stress, and will likely rip loose and possibly damage the mounting hole. You have created a lever to magnify force on what was supposed to be a double support minimizing force. Looks dangerous.
09-27-20, 06:09 AM
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09-27-20, 06:36 AM
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That is the wrong rack for this bike. You want a Tara lowrider..
09-27-20, 06:48 AM
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Yep, rack with a wheel loop in this case...
09-27-20, 09:53 AM
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Perhaps something like this:
But @Marcus_Ti's suggestion of a different model rack may still be better.
But @Marcus_Ti's suggestion of a different model rack may still be better.
09-27-20, 12:43 PM
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Thanks for the replies. The spacer used between the rack bars is part of the OEM fitting kit. I had a previous bike with this setup and used it for many years without a problem but this one seems less stable.
09-28-20, 06:48 AM
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That looks like a metal fork. If it si .... could you not drill the inner side of the leg and tap it or insert a Riv-nut or whatever and use the rack as intended?
09-28-20, 07:29 AM
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A RivNut is unlikely to be strong enough to support a loaded pannier. Failure of the RivNut could easily progress to failure of the fork blade at the RivNut hole, which is unlikely to be a minor concern. The OP's rack is designed to be mounted on a tube that passes entirely through the fork blade and is brazed in place at both ends.
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09-28-20, 10:45 AM
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A RivNut is unlikely to be strong enough to support a loaded pannier. Failure of the RivNut could easily progress to failure of the fork blade at the RivNut hole, which is unlikely to be a minor concern. The OP's rack is designed to be mounted on a tube that passes entirely through the fork blade and is brazed in place at both ends.
If a riv-nut doesn't suit you---drill a larger hole, tap it, and thread in a steel tube, which is also internally tapped.
09-28-20, 12:34 PM
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If You look at the original suggested mounting method, with one rack tube on each side of the fork leg, thus splitting the force, two mounting points are obviously stronger than one, and there wouldn't be the fork-sized lever sticking out.
If a riv-nut doesn't suit you---drill a larger hole, tap it, and thread in a steel tube, which is also internally tapped.
If a riv-nut doesn't suit you---drill a larger hole, tap it, and thread in a steel tube, which is also internally tapped.
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09-28-20, 12:40 PM
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09-28-20, 12:51 PM
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I bought my Tara Rack this past winter for (checks ebay purchases) $60. They're listed regularly for just under $90 there. I didn't look too hard at the OP rack, but if they're the Blackburn racks I think they are, a tubus tara (or similar style) costs about the same retail.
09-28-20, 12:58 PM
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Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Fabz?
I bought my Tara Rack this past winter for (checks ebay purchases) $60. They're listed regularly for just under $90 there. I didn't look too hard at the OP rack, but if they're the Blackburn racks I think they are, a tubus tara (or similar style) costs about the same retail.
I bought my Tara Rack this past winter for (checks ebay purchases) $60. They're listed regularly for just under $90 there. I didn't look too hard at the OP rack, but if they're the Blackburn racks I think they are, a tubus tara (or similar style) costs about the same retail.
Me? I pay top dollar for Riv racks.
09-28-20, 03:21 PM
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