Newb needs help with pannier and rack
 

I have a Diamond Hanjo gravel bike that I want to add a rack and panniers to. I bought a pair of used Arkel bikepacking panniers (28L, I think) on eBay, but the rack attachment is older than the style currently on their webpage. I'm waiting on their email reply. It seems that aluminum C-clip should spin 90deg to lock onto the top tube of the rack, right? There are so many styles of rear racks that I don't know if all panniers fit all racks, or if they have to be properly paired.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f506e5327f.jpg


​​​​​​I also see racks made for disc or non-disc bikes, but my bike seems to have plenty of eyelets. Do I need to get a disc compatible rack, or do I not because I have eyelets?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3ce4f14229.jpg

And what about the front? I only see one eyelet. Maybe this is for something else like a water bottle cage and not a rack?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...65d6ec41ae.jpg

Some of the non-disc racks will likely fit your frame, possibly all of them. Many bikes with disc brakes had the brake unit mounted on the seatstay, not the chainstay like on yours. And the brake on a seatstay interfered with the rack installation. Your entire brake mechanism is below the seatstay.

I could not tell if there is another eyelet behind your through axle lever or not on your fork. Is there?

I have not used through axle, so I can't comment on whether or not that could be an issue with rack installation and use.

There's no other eyelet behind the lever. It's just the 3 you see in the picture.

That makes sense about the disc-compatible racks now. I thought it was more something about how wide the rack was to accommodate the disc brake, not that the calipers were mounted in different locations. I didn't know that.

Tourist in MSN was referring to eyelets on the dropout of the fork, not the rear dropouts. It sure looks like there is an eyelet behind the front TA lever.

I have mid-leg eyelets on my fork but they are nowhere near lining up to the holes on my lowrider rack when the lower mount is bolted to the eyelet on the fork dropout, so I have to use the U-bolt to clamp to the METAL fork leg, and this is not advisable on a carbon fork leg.

Ah, duh. Yes, there is an eyelet behind the dropout of the fork (I completely missed that he said "fork"). There's no bolt like in the other spots, but a threaded hole. The bolt in the mid-fork can thread into this hole.

Some racks may fit on front, but that might be a complicated issue too depending on how your through axle works. If that is a problem, you might be able to use one that uses an allen wrench instead of the lever.

Assuming you are successful and get racks on front and rear, please post photos later so others can see how you did it.

Through axles are quite common now, but most people are using older bikes, etc. Not a lot of experience yet with through axles and racks yet.

I have a set of similar Arkel panniers. The hooks go on the rail, then the block turns 90 degrees to push against the rail, preventing the pannier from bouncing up and unhooking. The bungee serves a similar purpose.

Thank you.

It looks as if you should be able to fit normal non disc specific racks on both front and rear if desired. Some of the rear disc models are for weird braze ons that are in a special more forward position. Avoid those models.

Your attachment hardware looks like it would fit most fairly generic racks as long as the diameter of the top rail fits in the hooks and it could be shimmed up if too loose. I don't think it requires any proprietary rail. See what Arkel says though.

I bet the lever on the through axle will be fine, but as has been mentioned, worst case you could probably fit an allen key one.

How wide are most rear non-disc racks? I don't know how much width the disc adds and I don't have another bike to compare. My eyelets at the dropouts are about 7" apart. Is that what most people get? I could not find a drawing with dimensions on Blackburn or Topeak's websites.

I am thinking a standard non-disc rack will fit just fine but don't have any shops locally that carry them. I'm leaning towards one of the Topeak racks.

Thanks
Paul

Almost all racks have some flex and almost all bikes are close to the same width in the back. Most standard hubs are 130mm or 135mm wide. So there is not a lot of variation in rack width. In other words, almost every rack you find will fit your bike.

There is more variation in width at the upper mounting points, but racks are usually designed to accommodate that variation.

Arkel and Topeak were very helpful. Arkel responded that the aluminum clip just rotates into place to lock and doesn't need a special rack. My rack clip can be upgraded to their new camlocks later if I want. They also took a look at my bike pics and suggested a couple racks including the Topeak Super Tourist.

Topeak also confirmed their non-disc racks would fit my bike.

I ordered the Topeak Super Tourist rack last night and when it's delivered, I'll post an update.

Paul

I received the rack (Topeak Super Tourist) today and mounted it loosely to share pictures. I will say the bike doesn't look so sporty anymore.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dc9ca8f802.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...99a2123c32.jpg

I didn't feel like fiddling with the quick release so I just used the upper mounting eyelet. I needed to spread the rack about 3/4" so it fit. It didn't feel extreme but the rack tubing is fairly beefy so the rack does fight you a little. My right heel brushes the pannier, but I should gain enough distance if I move to the lower eyelet.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c955f0d427.jpg


I have a good initial impression of the rack. Since I already have eyelet bolts, I won't need to use the included stainless steel bolts. I paid a little more for the spring-loaded rack, but it's probably better without the panniers. The panniers' rail clip prevents the rack from rising up further than you see here (circled in red). The silver retention clip needs to be slid forward (yellow) to avoid the middle support--no biggie. Spinning that clip to lock in the bag is definitely going to wear away the paint on the rack, though. I'm guessing that was one reason Arkel moved to their new cam clamp.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9bce2a9fc9.jpg

It's going to be a few months before I actually get to use this setup, but I'm looking forward to it.

Paul

Oh wow those are old school my Arkels I got 10 years ago and they had the current style of hooks. However pretty much any Arkel I have seen will last long amounts of time. I couldn't tell those are older panniers than mine aside from the mounting. They make really solid stuff so you did good on that front.

I have not used Arkel panniers, so this is a dumb question - but can you move the rack hooks fore and aft on that rail at the top of the pannier? That is how you fit Ortlieb panniers so that you have adequate but not excessive heel clearance. You can on most other panniers if they have a rail like that.

I use black nail polish to touch up wear spots on my black racks. Dollar Tree recently raised their price, now costs $1.25 plus sales tax. At that price, you can't beat it, the built in brush makes it easy to touch up when you feel a need. But do it outside in case you drip, better to drip on the ground than on the floor.

Yes, they can be adjusted! Good idea. I'll have to check that out. Maybe once I stuff the bags and they puff out and aren't so flat against the bike, my heel won't touch.