Why did Cube change the pannier rack on the latest Kathmandu?

[The Silverfox]

I bought a Cube Kathmandu Pro 625 recently and bought a Cube Acid rear trunk bag plus a pair of Vaude Aqua panniers.

I was disappointed to find that I can’t have the trunk bag and panniers fitted at the same time. The clips on the panniers prevent the trunk bag from clipping onto the rack.

I noticed that earlier models of the Kathmandu had separate bars for panniers so it would be possible but on the latest Kathmandu it doesn’t have the separate bars.

Does anyone know if there is a Racktime rack that is the old style and can be bolted onto the frame to replace the supplied one?

 

[Andy-Mat]

I bought a Cube Kathmandu Pro 625 recently and bought a Cube Acid rear trunk bag plus a pair of Vaude Aqua panniers.

I was disappointed to find that I can’t have the trunk bag and panniers fitted at the same time. The clips on the panniers prevent the trunk bag from clipping onto the rack.

I noticed that earlier models of the Kathmandu had separate bars for panniers so it would be possible but on the latest Kathmandu it doesn’t have the separate bars.

Does anyone know if there is a Racktime rack that is the old style and can be bolted onto the frame to replace the supplied one?

I do believe that this problem is known (at least here on Pedelec), as I do believe someone last year mentioned it.
So its apparently not just you having such problems.
Depending upon the metal used and the design of your rack, you may find it easier (and probably also cheaper), to have a welder add/move bars to and in the right places, then get it properly cleaned and powder coated before use....
I myself about 18 years ago, due to needing some small parts welded up in stainless steel, found that the cost of welding (and I supplied the parts!), to be SO excessive, it was actually FAR cheaper to buy a reasonably sized MIG welder (which I still have and use) and learn to do the job myself! Which is really great fun!
So I bought a guide to MIG welding (I would buy TIG today by the way!),which I did, and I have "never looked back!"
Stainless steel rods and other stainless parts are very reasonable to buy on ebay......then no need for powder coating.....and it looks good.
Just a thought.
regards
Andy

 

[The Silverfox]

I do believe that this problem is known (at least here on Pedelec), as I do believe someone last year mentioned it.
So its apparently not just you having such problems.
Depending upon the metal used and the design of your rack, you may find it easier (and probably also cheaper), to have a welder add/move bars to and in the right places, then get it properly cleaned and powder coated before use....
I myself about 18 years ago, due to needing some small parts welded up in stainless steel, found that the cost of welding (and I supplied the parts!), to be SO excessive, it was actually FAR cheaper to buy a reasonably sized MIG welder (which I still have and use) and learn to do the job myself! Which is really great fun!
So I bought a guide to MIG welding (I would buy TIG today by the way!),which I did, and I have "never looked back!"
Stainless steel rods and other stainless parts are very reasonable to buy on ebay......then no need for powder coating.....and it looks good.
Just a thought.
regards
Andy

I really don't understand why they did that. The racks on the 2020 models look far more practical.

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into that. I quite fancy a new career although it's probably a bit late in life for me!

 

[Andy-Mat]

I really don't understand why they did that. The racks on the 2020 models look far more practical.

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into that. I quite fancy a new career although it's probably a bit late in life for me!

Its never too late to change something or learn something new......as long as you are still breathing!
regards
Andy
PS. I was a computer specialist with some large US companies for a great many years after leaving the RN at 27. After I retired I worked as a lock smith for almost a year, but found it morally bad, then i started at an electronics workshop repairimg car GPS and audio systems, then as my eyes were not quite as good as when I was 21, I started driving small buses (after passing a new driving test), with people having special needs, and that was totally brilliant. I did that for almost 4 years....I was never once even involved in a single accident....of which I am most proud of.

 

[bernh]

I have just fitted a Cube AcidCarrier ic 3.0 to my 2022 Cube Kathmandu. It looks like the ols style rack that I have on my 2019 bike. However it is ment for the 750 Cube Kathmandu bikes. To fit it to the 500 or 625 models it involves removing the existing rack and drilling 3, 5mm holes close to the existing holes and then bolting it in place. The rack costs £30 to £35 from several outlets and you will need 3 ,5 mm bolts about twice as long as the ones you take out. It is a bit fidly doing up the nuts and bolts but undoing the mudguard helps. It probably took me a couple of hours.

 

[Raboa]

Maybe so only their panniers would fit?

 

[AndyBike]

Not just the cube rack, many suffer the same problem.
You can get by by opting for a velcro strap mounted rack pack. Same proob i had, and got a 2nd hand velcro pack off ebay sorted it.