Crazylegsmurphy

Hey Everyone,

So despite the cold, I have been exploring the streets of Berlin with my new Tern P7i and so far it's been great. The problem is my plan of waiting until I arrived in Germany to pick up a basket, rack, or pannier set, isn't going too good.

Initially, the plan was to use the bike to run errands, travel to work, and the gym, but it turns out the hardest part isn't carrying around a bike, but finding a way to carry all the stuff. A few weeks ago I ordered a rear basket from a company called Basil.



It had everything I was looking for in a rear basket, (detachable, handles, lengthwise orientation), but it was huge! I couldn't fold the bike, and my feet hit the basket when I was peddling. I unfortunately had to send it back.

I'm now trying to find something else, but it seems my options are limited. Initially I thought about getting a KlickFix, but realized you need to attach a bulky (and pricy) rack attachment in order for it to come off. So I thought perhaps I would go with some Panniers, but because of the small tire radius I'm not sure how to size them. I really like the look of these ones, but I'm not sure if they would fit.

https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...8l-pannier.jsp

And that's just the back of the bike....

When I purchased my Tern, I opted to get the front luggage truss as well. I figured I would find something later, but am now struggling to find the best option. I've been thinking about one, or both of these:




However, again I'm concerned about it effecting the fold.

So, while I understand baskets are a personal choice, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions, or insight into my dilemma? What I'm looking for specifically is:

Rear Rack / Pannier

Uses:
- Grocery Shopping
- Carrying laptop / sports equipment / etc
- Use for day / multi day trips

Traits:
- Removable (I don't want it on there all the time)
- Doesn't effect fold or ride

Front Rack / Basket

Uses:
- Grocery Shopping
- Carrying light items (day trip, supper, etc)

Traits:
- Removable
- Doesn't effect fold or ride

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and sorry about the long post.

CLM

fietsbob

Klick Fix is good stuff. I have a handle bar mount and a seatpost mount.

[they happen to be on different bikes..]

telescoping seatposts being what they are, will not slip down with the KF hardware left on there.

Elvis Shumaker

For shopping and carting stuff around, I've been pleased with Ortlieb front roller panniers (on the rear rack). Mine are the slightly less expensive 'City' line (72 Euros for the pair IIRC). Just as well to buy Ortlieb locally in Berlin, prices are not much better online. My local bike shop let me try them on the bike before buying. They have a clever and very fast quick release system and two are easy to carry around together.
Plus you can always resell a pair of Ortliebs before moving on, if you wanted.

Whenever more space is needed I just bungee a bag transversely across the panniers, that's where the lighter stuff goes. 25l in the panniers, 35l in the bag - enough for most supermarket trips.

As far as baskets go the cheap 5 Euro kind are much lighter, and easy enough to strap on lengthways (usually no more than two straps - think something like toeclip straps - as the baskets have a hook for the carrier).

I'd be interested to hear what you come up with for the front and how it works.

badmother

I like the panniers you linked to but not sure if they would fit on a low rack without your legs hitting them when peddaling.

For the rear: I like the bag to the left, the commuter bag. Not cheap, not the biggest but great for its use: https://www.premiumbikegear.com/ternb...gear/bags.html You can also buy a basket that is narrow, long and tall instead of the wide low one you had. Not sure if it is possible to find one that does not affect the fold. There is plenty of racktop bags available: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rack-top-...t564_pg1/#page=

not sure how this one would work for you: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=74874


I think if you want panniers in the back you may want a tall rear rack. Lifts the bags up but bigger fold. Can be remowed when you do not want it of course. https://www.premiumbikegear.com/ternb...ertm-rack.html



Front:
A foldable basket (bottom left) could be useful: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/B...x?BrandID=1111 if you go for looks the Brooks basket: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/B...x?BrandID=1111 Using clickfix you can use it on the handlebars, stem, and luggagetruss. Also you can use it on the seatpost. Same with the folding basket.

You can buy a clickfix backpack. Same as the folding basket and Brooks basket, you can use it on the seatpost and luggagetruss: https://rixen-kaul.com/index.php?mod=10&lang=en Great thing with this one is you can carry it on your back when the bike is folded so you`ve got both hands free.

I like the frontracks. https://www.premiumbikegear.com/ternb...ertm-rack.html With a front rack you can carry panniers in the front PLUS more stuff on the truss or stem.

Edit: If you want one piece of luggage with plenty space you may want to look into a trailer: https://www.burley.com/home/bur/page_416/travoy.html

pacificcyclist

For the rear bag that won't effect the fold is the Arkel Tailrider Expedition. https://www.arkel.ca/ca_e/tailrider-e...rom_store=ca_f

The tailrider expedition is a transformable trunk rack into side panniers. This one is a bit expensive, but another alternative is the REI Gotham which has about 10 L less storage than the Arkel. Beauty of these bags is that one of the side pannier bag can be deployed which will not effect fold on the Tern or my Dahon. The Arkel which I have has an insulated main cover box which acts as a cooler or warmer. I only have the normal tail rider which can store up to 11 litres whereas the Expedition can do 38L. The quality of workmanship of the Arkel is up there with the Ortliebs, except Arkel has pockets whereas the Ortliebs are dry bags. Lastly, it is more aerodynamic to carry a trunk rack than panniers. There will not be any heel hitting issues you will get with larger panniers.

There is another alternative with needing a carrier rack and that is to use a Carradice SQR Trax which a gigantic seatpost bag which wont affect folding that much.

With front baskets, I modified a MEC shopping bag with a Dahon truss adaptor installed. The Mec is a soft case so wont affect my Speed Duo folding which is similar to the Tern.

Hope this helps.

brakemeister

rear Pletscher Athlete 20 inch custom carrier, with Pletscher Basket.
front ... tern truss with small klickfix basket, or shopper
additional to that a klickfix caddy mount, whih works on the steering post or the seatpost to hang either an additional small bag like the lightbag or the shopper in the rear .... if you dont use the basket on the pletscher...
That way you can mix and match loads all over the bike ...

and yes I do sell all of that stuff... even to old Germany, expect to pay additional hefty shipping charges as the baskets ( should be readily available over there ... ) are rather big .... 50 bucks will do it though ..lol

Best Thor

Call Me Al

I have a Dahon MU P8 and I'm sharing your freight carrying conundrum, for me its commuting. There were a lot of good suggestions, chck the thread, but I suspect you will have to find your own package from the options available. Me, I am trying out a carefully selected 30l sports bag sat back on the rear rack and strapped tight. Combined with travelling as light as is possible. Good luck finding the solution which fits you best!

fietsbob

You might find a Beam rack with A QR, so It comes off the seat post easily to fold the bike.

some have side supports so Panniers work.. You can set them High enough to not Kick Them, pedaling.