Originally Posted by
giskard
Been doing a big more digging around for info to help me choose a rack and luggage, now I'm aware that heel clearance might be an issue. My bike's chainstay is 435mm long and I've seen suggestions that the bare minimum chainstay length for avoiding heel-strike is 440mm - only 5mm difference but I have large feet (euro size 48 or UK size 12+) so heel-clearance will be more of an issue. Some racks, like the Tubus Logo, allow you to mount panniers further back on the bike and I was wondwering if ther Topeak Super Tourist DX that I'm keen on also allows that?
I think, although I haven't done any real comparison, that the Super Tourist rack puts the panniers further back than the previous Topeak rack I had. Also, keep in mind that on many panniers you can
move the mounting mechanism/hooks by a few cm, that may solve the heel strike. I've done it to my Axiom touring panniers.
Originally Posted by
giskard
I was in agreement when I first read your comment about rack width, but then this morning I was following a guy on his disc-braked bike with a Topeak Super Tourist DX rack, and his not very fat panniers protruded a few inches beyond the width of the handlebars. That would make a difference when filtering through stationary/slow-moving London traffic.
Would it make that much difference if the rack was few cm narrower? I really doubt that the extra width of the rack would matter. So far I had no issues riding with my panniers in NYC traffic, and my panniers are usually stuffed and I do have a shortened handlebar. And I like how the rack keeps my panniers away from my disc brakes and wheels. But I don't squeeze that tightly between cars. I know some people do, but then get a backpack or messenger bag IMHO.