Originally Posted by
AdamDZ
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.
It can, especially with racktop trunks that rely on a set of 4 velcro straps to hold them in position. As you make the rack narrower, then you have to eat that up with the straps. You can run out of strap in a hurry because it's a double there and back sort of thing. Arkel, with their Tailrider (neat bag) will make those straps longer if you tell them. With some of the Tubus racks, the really narrow ones, you also don't have much of a base to hold a rack trunk either.
That's what appealled to me about the Racktime Addit, it was wide enough but not too wide and it works great with both an Arkel Bug (on either the top or bottom rail) and the Tailrider. What's nice about the bottom rail is that if lets a rack trunk were really well with a pannier or backpack/pannier.
J.