Seattle Forrest

I'm a roadie at heart; I like to be on the bike, to ride fast, and to be sleek and nimble. And that means I've never had more cargo room than a saddle bag. Recently, though, I got a road bike, and that's the one I use for long, fun rides. The CX is now my rain, commuting, and utility bike. Seems like it would be convenient to add some panniers and such, to carry groceries w/o a backpack, and to carry a change of clothes for winter commuting. But I know almost nothing about this.

I need a rack to be able to mount panniers, right? Does it matter which rack? If I want fenders, I probably need to work that out first? What do I need to know to choose panniers? They'll have to be waterproof - this is the Pacific Northwet. I plan to ride up to the grocery store, lock the bike outside, and use them to haul food home ... ideally I'd prefer to leave them on the bike, unless that's asking for theft.

How do they change the handling on the bike? My biggest fear is that I'm going to crash because I expect to be able to navigate a turn, or stop in time, when I really can't. The bike has disc brakes, but also a long wheel base. Do you have to keep the speed down to 10 or 15 while carrying any weight on the bike? I live down hill from almost anywhere I would be running errands, so I see a light bike climbing, and a loaded down bike descending home.

What else do I need to know about fredmobile conversions?

exile

Usually mounting fenders in not to bad of a task. Mounting a rack is usually not to big of a task either. However, since you have disc brakes your rack may or may not need to be disc specific depending on their placement on the bike. Most manufacturers have racks that are disc specific, I believe this one is popular.

Waterproof panniers are not a problem either. I know Nashbar has waterproof panniers for a pretty decent price. Axiom also has waterproof panniers along with others. Even if you get regular panniers a simple trash bag over them or as a liner will work for most occasions. Some manufacturers such as Axiom have rain covers for their panniers.

Anytime you add weight to your bike you will affect handling to some degree. Where you place the weight will also affect handling. To much weight up front will make the bike more difficult to steer. Weight mounted higher up on the bike can affect balance as well. I don't keep speed between a certain number. Its more about the way the bike is handling given the way the weight is balanced.

Arcanum

Some companies also have adapters that will let you mount standard racks on a bike with disc brakes.

As exile said, the position of the load will affect the handling of the bike, and the rack will affect that position. Mounting the weight higher up will tend to raise the center of gravity and destabilize the bike. Mounting it lower will have the opposite effect.

If you're willing to spend the money, this is a really nice multipurpose rack. It should be compatible with this mounting kit to deal with the disc brakes. (RackTime is a subsidiary of Tubus.) The mounting system RackTime uses for their rack-top bags is also really convenient.

You can get cheaper racks for a little as $20, but if you're serious about doing grocery shopping and similar utility rides IMO it's worth it to get good base hardware.

Seattle Forrest

I didn't know I can't just mount any rack to a bike with disc brakes! Thanks for clueing me in ... I've found deals on Craigslist before, and now I know better than to go looking for a rack ( or probably fenders? ) there.

Arcanum

It depends on how the calipers are mounted. Contrast the caliper mount location between this bike and this bike.

In the former, the caliper is mounted inside the triangle, out of the way of any rack you might want to mount. In the latter, the caliper is mounted on top of the downtube. That can interfere with racks not specifically designed with disc brakes in mind. You'd need a rack with supports that go behind the caliper, or supports that are wider to go around the outside of the caliper, or an adapter of some kind to duplicate the first type of mount design.

tsl

In my experience, CX bikes are well-adapted to life as an all-weather commuter and grocery-getter. My bike (a 2006 Trek Portland) is a CX bike, factory-adapted for commuting duties, that I've fully accessorized for four-seasons, all-conditions, car-free living. It's the perfect bike for me and what I do with a bike.

Full fenders are a must for me. I run SKS P35s over my 28mm three-seasons tires, and 45mm PlanetBike Cascadias over the 35mm studded snow tires. I'm terribly clumsy, especially when carrying the bike up or down the stairs in my building, so I chose plastic fenders for their flexibility and resilience. Others prefer traditional metal.

As Arcanum pointed out, my rear disk brake caliper is inside the rear triangle, so I was free to mount any rack. I chose the Tubus Cosmo for three reasons: It has a higher capacity rating than most racks, it has dual side rails so I can mount a trunk bag and panniers simultaneously (and easily), and it's stainless steel, an important anti-corrosion matter here in the land of winter road salt.


In the PNW, Ortleib panniers are de rigeur. They are completely waterproof as-is, without having to add rain covers. They also have an optional cabling system to resist casual theft.

Here, I've gotten along just fine with lesser stuff since my commute is fairly short, at 20 minutes. Even a driving rain takes a half-hour or more to penetrate my cheap, water-resistant panniers. I changed work locations and I have a locker now too, so I've changed my commute-hauling habits. I take in a whole week's worth of clothes and food (and books to be returned) on Mondays Then haul home all the laundry (and fresh books to read) on Thursdays. I need a little more capacity for that, so Ortliebs are on my shopping list.

Many folks with the larger Ortleib panniers use them for grocery shopping. I have dedicated grocery panniers from Arkel. I cannot say enough good things about them. I suffered with lesser ones for four years before I broke down and dropped the coin on these.



The Arkel Shopper panniers are rugged, have huge carrying capacity, go on and off the bike easily when fully loaded, and have loads of thoughtful little touches that just make life easier. I take them right in the store, plop them in the cart and fill them as I shop. Then I empty them on the belt. The cashier fills them again, and I cart them out and hang them back on the bike.

This is much easier than the old ones which were a pain to mount on the bike when loaded, so I left them there and transferred stuff to them in the parking lot. Do that a few times in the rain or snow and it takes all the joy out of shopping by bike.

On the road, my bike benefits from the longer wheelbase when hauling. A typical grocery load is around 50 pounds. Other than having to hold up the extra weight at stoplights, I hardly know it's there. Above about 4 mph, the load just disappears. My other (roadies all) bikes get all tippy and twitchy with a load over 20 pounds. There's also a personality issue with my Portland. It just loves to tote stuff around. The heavier it's loaded, the happier it seems. Very weird.

As for braking and maneuverability, these are non-issues. All of my bikes stop just fine no matter what the load. I don't fling the bike around like a racer when fully loaded with groceries. However, I do when lightly-loaded with just commuting stuff. None of my bikes seem to mind being ridden and cornered hard with my typical five or ten pounds of commuting stuff. I never give it a thought.

I think you're overthinking braking, handling and load-carrying issues. Beyond the first ride or two, the novelty wears off and it just feels normal.

irclean

I second tsl's endorsement of PB Cascadia fenders and Arkel bags; my pannier is the Commuter and it is a great bag. It is quite water-resistant but I purchased the optional rain cover for really wet days. As for a rack I use this one from Topeak. It is a great rack and wasn't too hard to mount over my disc brakes (my caliper is on the seatstay). Here is my bike with the fenders, rack, and pannier mounted:

woodway

My CX bike (Soma Double Cross) has disc brakes. The Topeak Explorer disc-compatible rack fits perfectly around disc brakes. Planet Bike Cascadia fenders come with standoffs for mounting on disc side of the bike. You just need to bend the fender supports a bit. Works great.

Seattle Forrest

Do I need a rear fender if I'm going to mount a rack?

And would changing from 28 to 32 mm tires be a good idea, or does that matter? The front tire is getting bare, and will need a change within a few hundred miles anyway. I've been thinking wider tires will be good for a gravel and dirt trail I like, and also to calm the harsh ride in the city. Plus, now that I've got a fast road bike, the CX already feels like I'm dragging cement blocks behind me, so I've been thinking a little more rolling resistance isn't going to be a huge cost.

My Novara is going to keep being my "rain bike," and I'll want to take it for longer recreational rides in the winter. I'm thinking the panniers will be really nice for being able to layer up/down, and to carry lunch.

jayr

My Schwinn SSGS came with 28 and I went to 32 and love them. I didn't notice any slow down and in fact with the rough roads and short dirt sections of my commute I think their actually faster because I don't have to unload the bike as much over the pot holes and cracks.
I've got a set of large performance waterproof panniers and love them. They are constructed like a dry bag so they are totally dry even in the nastiest rain. Not the biggest paniers out there but they hold a surprising amount. Even brought a big watermellon home in one side, nothing on the other and hardley noticed it except when off the bike. I don't really notice any speed or handeling issues with the panniers unless really loaded down.

irclean

The rack will provide some limited protection if caught off-guard or ill-prepared for a rainy commute, but if the bike is gonna see any rain/slop duty at all then full-coverage fenders are a must. At least that's been my experience, FWIW.

johnr783

I personally love using Topeak racks. They have disc specific racks and an MTX system that allows you to not worry about strapping their MTX trunkbags down because they work into a track and lock in. They run about $40 and are great quality. I have hand one particular rack for 2 years and even went on a 5500 mile self-supported tour this past summer with it. No problems whatsoever.

Panniers: Of course Ortleib and Arkel are the popular names. I however plan to invest in an Aquapak. It is a pannier/backpack hybrid that is waterproof.

As for speed, I was fully loaded on my tour and hit 46 mph coming down the Appalachians. Just make sure to keep a strong eye out and leave plenty of time to brake.

Hot Potato

I have to second the topeak rack suggestion. They are fine for side panniers, but having a trunk bag that just slides on and clicks into place is a MAJOR convenience. As soon as I saw this, I gave away my old rack and put on a topeak MTX.

As for handling, a rear rack heavy load will be noticable but you will have no trouble compensating for it on your first ride. Even if it is just one sided.

CliftonGK1

32mm tires are a great compromise of cushion and speed if you get a decent one. I like the Panaracer Pasela TGs I've been using. They handle everything from smooth road to grass to washboard loose gravel.
Go with a 45mm fender if you're using a 32mm tire. That way you have ample clearance and wide coverage for any splashing of winter road goop.
Use fenders even with a rear rack, and make long mudflaps for the front and rear. That way if you're riding with other people you're not spraying them with road crap. Stair tread from the hardware store makes a great mudflap. So do old coroplast campaign signs.
If you don't want the extra weight of a rack and panniers, but still want some reasonable cargo capacity, check out a Bagman support rack and a Carracide Camper longflap. 24L capacity.

jr59

Hey now,

Easy on the fredmoblie cracks.

CX bikes are a great do-it-all bike.

As far a fenders go, no you don't need full fenders, but they are sure nice to have.

fietsbob

Jack Brown 33 wide slick tires are pretty nice rolling,

Angle Lake has taken up the Tailwind Pannier design , in Colorado
a bit more aerodynamic curved face than the typical square bag.
the rears offer better heel clearance as a result, too.

interested

Yes. You should check if the bike has eyelets for rack and fenders. Disc brakes may also interfere with the rack.


There certainly is a difference between brands and models. Something to take note of is weight of the rack. You will can find racks between 230g and 950g (or more). Certainly worth considering if you want to keep the weight down.

Racks with extra mounting rails gives a lower center of gravity and therefore better handling. (they also allows better use of the top of the rack). But I suspect the handling advantage is small. Still, all my racks have such rails.


https://www.tubus.com/en/rear-carriers/logo-expedition

I do think that Tubus makes the best racks; they are solid, can be had in very light models, are expensive but backed by the best warranty I know of for racks.
So eg, if you are a weight weenie with a good bike stuff budget, consider the titanium Tubus Airy (or Carry):
https://www.tubus.com/en/rear-carriers/airy
Tubus (and others) makes adapters for disc brake bikes and bikes without eyelets.

However, there are many "good enough" racks for less money. I have used a Topeak MTX rack for years without problems. The Axiom rack (no personal experience) in this link also look very nice if one has disc brakes.
https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...iner-disc-dlx/

Make sure the rack support the back of the pannier so it doesn't swing /torsion into the spokes.
Eg. this design doesn't look so good:
https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...racks/transit/

Not necessarily. Racks are usually easy to take off again after the first and more difficult fitting.
I strongly recommend fenders with safety clips on the front like SKS fenders. Get 45 mm fenders if you want studded snow tires or fat tires.


IMHO, Ortlieb makes the best panniers on the market. Their "Back-Roller Classic" should be on your short list of panniers to check out.
Some things to look for in panniers:
Integrated waterproofness. Not only is this superior to rain covers when it rains, it also make the panniers easier and faster to clean, both inside and outside.

Quick release locks. Ortlieb panniers have a quick release locking system, that are very easy and very fast to use. It automagically locks the panniers to the rack so no bumps whatsoever can make the pannier fall off. It also unlocks very easy using one intuitive pull when taking the pannier off.
Many hook and bungie fastening designs aren't so well made. It is not uncommon for such panniers to fall off when hitting potholes. Having the lower bungie hook grabbing hold of the spokes is a nasty affair too.

I really like my shoulder straps on my Ortlieb Back-Rollers, and wouldn't consider a pannier without such a strap.

Besides Ortlieb, Rixen & Kaul also makes quick release systems that they license to eg. Vaude etc. A good tip is, that If the manufacturer homepage doesn't show in detail how the mounting system works, just skip that product.

Personally I wouldn't leave my panniers outside when shopping. I always bring them along, and really have no problems in that regards over the years. I fold them very flat with the compression straps so the store detectives can see they are empty, and either carry one pannier on my back or in or below the shopping cart. They can also be attached to the side of the cart.


Handling isn't so bad. The biggest change is the inertia, so that brake distances are longer etc. Even when using just one extremely loaded pannier, handling isn't that bad since your body naturally compensate so well. Certainly descents without hard curves are quite easy on a loaded bike and tourers quite often hit very high speeds when descending.
When I just pack my commuting gear, there just seems to be no handling penalty at all. When packed with 10 kg (20 pounds) or more, I take it easier on the corners.

--
Regards

xtrajack

I suppose a Xtracycle Free Radical is over kill.
Today, it is my turn to be Captain Obvious.