Pannier racks

[Jason Scott]

I notice in a lot of pictures, rear pannier racks are often titled down towards the seat post. Is there a good reason for that or just because they've used short mounting stays?

 

[Gubbins]

I notice in a lot of pictures, rear pannier racks are often titled down towards the seat post. Is there a good reason for that or just because they've used short mounting stays?

Possibly using a seat post mount. My rack and panniers are level with the road fitted to a hard tail mtb.
I have had a few over the years and would advise against the really cheap panniers.
I finally bought some better quality ones and not regretted it.

 

[Gubbins]

I bought these.. Not cheap as they cost nearly £80 but they are excellent, durable, waterproof heavy duty fabric, easy on easy off the rack and the mounts are adjustable to suit different racks.
Cant show on bike as it is still being repaired, but I bought a seat post clamp that has rack fitting built in so it is all really solid.. You could hang the bike from the ceiling it its so good.
I have used 2 of Aldi's and one of Halfords which were ok but dont last.
Using the Aldi ones off road with my camera gear in I went over a big bump and the rack mounts just broke off .. Lucky I had added a velcro backup!! The Halfords offerings didn't break but the fabric was flimsy at best and they dangled and swayed alarmingly with a couple of bottles of wine stowed.
Been using these 2 years now...
Beats carrying a backpack...

 

[anotherkiwi]

If they tilt it is a mounting error because even correctly fixed panniers will slide forward with the vibrations of the road and you will have heel strike in a jiffy. Also you can't attach a box full of veg bought at the local market on a tilting rack...

 

[Gubbins]

If they tilt it is a mounting error because even correctly fixed panniers will slide forward with the vibrations of the road and you will have heel strike in a jiffy. Also you can't attach a box full of veg bought at the local market on a tilting rack...

No not at all. The bottom bracket is a slider that adjusts to fit different rack variations and the top has two snap down fittings that can be moved forward or back with an Allen key, so I have them either side of the crossmembers of the rack and they can't move. The red button releases the 2 catches for removal and when you put them back with downward pressure the 2 catches slot back into place.
When I get the bike back I can post some more descriptive pics.
I took my bike to a bike shop and said show me... they did just that and I bought from them rather than the internet.

 

[Gubbins]

Also.. my rack is totally horizontal... no slope..

 

[anotherkiwi]

Not expressing myself correctly (I just got out of bed...) If the rack is mounted tilted it is an error I meant to say.

 

[Gubbins]

Ah,
I think I see what you mean, an incorrect fitment..
Mine also leaves the option of fitting a top box which is handy as i have one that my spare battery fits in just nicely.
Only downside is that I end up carrying too much junk..

 

[D C]

I tilted mine forward to help a little with battery weight distribution but I won't be using panniers or need my saddle any lower.
Dave.

 

[colin79666]

Mine tilts slightly forward because the rack simply doesn't have long enough arms to connect to the frame below the seat post and still swing into being completely horizontal. I can't lower it any further or it hits the mudgard and wheel.

My pannier bag (Altura Urban) has a clip which stops it moving forward anyway.

 

[Jason Scott]

That seems fine. The pictures I've seen have it tilted at what I'd guess is a 20-25 degree angle.

 

[Jason Scott]

A related question - are Racktime the only reseller of rear racks that can take Bosch batteries?

 

[D8ve]

The ones you have seen don't happen to be on bikes with suspension do they?
When someone gets on it compresses and changes the angles?

 

[Gubbins]

The ones you have seen don't happen to be on bikes with suspension do they?
When someone gets on it compresses and changes the angles?

I expect you would need something like this..
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.RSP-Pioneer-Urban-Seat-Post-Mount-Rear-Rack_10745.htm?sku=44748&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=AdwordsProductAds&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=Cj0KEQjwl-e4BRCwqeWkv8TWqOoBEiQAMocbPwobr73XkrGtdXM1r5Tlan07BteE8T_2CTi554tuBB4aAmDv8P8HAQ#

 

[D C]

I expect you would need something like this..
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.RSP-Pioneer-Urban-Seat-Post-Mount-Rear-Rack_10745.htm?sku=44748&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=AdwordsProductAds&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=Cj0KEQjwl-e4BRCwqeWkv8TWqOoBEiQAMocbPwobr73XkrGtdXM1r5Tlan07BteE8T_2CTi554tuBB4aAmDv8P8HAQ#

Be aware that this type can and has damaged frames, if you do a search there's a few posts about it including mine.
OK for light weights but 4 kilo's of battery cracked my frame after a couple of months with mainly off road use. May get away with it on road, just avoid dropping off kerbs and pot holes.
Dave.

 

[Jason Scott]

I was curious because my original racktime carrier broke and although the supplier is replacing I wondered what alternatives were out there. Also I've not found a reseller for Racktime e-bike racks should I ever need to replace outside of warranty.