Originally Posted by
boogman
Thanks for all the tire suggestions!
I thought perhaps my choice of Pannier was bad? I was using Ortlieb rollers.. I've since learned these panniers might only be appropriate for the road, or I will need to rig an additional attachment point to keep it from bouncing..
I just ordered the Nashbar waterproof panniers, those have the bungee attachment, they're suppose to attach the pannier more securely onto the rack..
I rode the same trail the next day with my alu mtb and it was night n' day difference... I think I'll get larger tires for the touring bike...
Barrettscv: When you had the 38c Marathon Crosses, were you able to still fenders?
1. get a long bungie that can wrap from the bottom of the rack strut over the sides of the panniers then clip on the rack. 3/16" thick bungie is good because it'll stretch far without crushing things too much. Just be VERY SURE there's no chance the bungie can unhook. Even with a non-rattly pannier the stuff inside the panniers can bounce around.
2. get some electrical tape or gorilla tape to pad out where the clips attach to the rack if the inserts are still too big. Do the same on the rack strut where the bottom hook clips on the rack.
I haven't ridden with the Ortliebs on trails but without all of the above they are much too rattly but even panniers with the pull down type attachment will allow the contents to rattle around.
When I was commuting 11 miles on road and 1mile on trails with some Jandd panniers filled with clothes and a few tools I did the same thing to keep stuff from bouncing around when the bike and I were bouncing around.