Panniers on a full suspension bike?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Redlands, CA
Posts: 36
Bikes: Elec-Trec 8 speed electric, ancient Trek 700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Panniers on a full suspension bike?
Hi all. Noob for this forum.
I've been bike commuting to work for about 3-4 months. I ride an Elec-Trek (now Rayos) 8 speed electric bike, about 7 miles each way. I work in a shirt and tie kind of job, so I have to carry my work clothes in a backpack.
My lunch, bike lock and all tools/spares go in a Topeak bag that locks onto a seatpost clamp rack. The problem is, my rear wheel will ride up on its shocks and grind on the rack. Moreover, at one point the rack was heavy enough to bend my seatpost about 5 degrees (heavy lock and chain, now retired).
Does anyone know of a rack/pannier system that will work on a full suspension bike that will transfer the load down to the axels rather than the seatpost? I'm trying to avoid front wheel panniers if I can, but if that's my only choice...
I've been bike commuting to work for about 3-4 months. I ride an Elec-Trek (now Rayos) 8 speed electric bike, about 7 miles each way. I work in a shirt and tie kind of job, so I have to carry my work clothes in a backpack.
My lunch, bike lock and all tools/spares go in a Topeak bag that locks onto a seatpost clamp rack. The problem is, my rear wheel will ride up on its shocks and grind on the rack. Moreover, at one point the rack was heavy enough to bend my seatpost about 5 degrees (heavy lock and chain, now retired).
Does anyone know of a rack/pannier system that will work on a full suspension bike that will transfer the load down to the axels rather than the seatpost? I'm trying to avoid front wheel panniers if I can, but if that's my only choice...
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 575
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was about to say that you should look into "disc-compatible" racks, but then again, I don't know of any racks that are designed for the flexing forces that are involved in a rear suspension. I think the two (racks and suspension) are mutually exclusive.
If I'm wrong on this, I'm sure someone will correct me.
You'll find that most everyone here warns commuters away from full-suspension bikes, so to work with what you've got, you might have to stay with a backpack or messenger bag. But I'd also get that seatpost replaced ASAP.
If I'm wrong on this, I'm sure someone will correct me.
You'll find that most everyone here warns commuters away from full-suspension bikes, so to work with what you've got, you might have to stay with a backpack or messenger bag. But I'd also get that seatpost replaced ASAP.
#3
cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: vermont
Posts: 352
Bikes: road bike, mountain bike, touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In case anybody else is interested, this is the bike he's talking about...https://www.electric-bikes.com/bikes/electrec.html
I was going to say that an old man mountain rack is designed for suspension, but the motor looks to be in the way. It still might work??? An OMM front rack would do the trick.
Scott
I was going to say that an old man mountain rack is designed for suspension, but the motor looks to be in the way. It still might work??? An OMM front rack would do the trick.
Scott
#4
Dropped myself
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 397
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've never ridden a bike with rear suspension before. Can you tighten it up to have less travel? When I take a mountain bike on the road I always adjust the fork so that it is less, well... springy.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Posts: 20
Bikes: Favorite: Specialized StumpJumper Hardtail, Cannondale Jekyll, Gary Fischer Big Sur
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's why my Cannondale Jekyll 3000 hangs unused in the garage. I had the same setup (topeak) and that damn rack drove me crazy. When it would rain it would start sliding around like a yoyo. I'm happy to have my $200 hard tail where I can load my panniers to the gills with no worries.
#6
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
There are rear racks that mount to the seat post that will support panniers albeit with lesser weights...
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts