Originally Posted by
dazza1985_49
Hi - I have a rack on my Brompton P type which I regularly use with the Brompton rack bag. However, after cycling about 1800 miles since my last wheel rebuild I have now had to rebuild the rear wheel again, where as the front is fine. Just wondering what effect the rear rack bag has on rims..? I don't overload it, just mainly have a shirt, trousers, towel and iPad mini in there. Anyone else found that they are having to replace their rear wheel more regularly when using a rack bag?
The weight you are talking about carrying seems insignificant when compared to rider weight. Rear wheels are under more stress because more weight is carried there whether you have a rack bag or not. They can also be weaker if you have a gear cluster in the back, because then wheel will dished when built.
Knowing that I am a heavy guy who carries too much crap, I prefer to put a touring load on the front, which has comparatively less weight on it to start with, but I would think nothing of carrying your load on the back. It's probably less than what I typically carry in my trunk bag. Having to rebuild the wheel twice in that number of miles tells me that you might want to make certain the wheel you're using is rated for the weight you're subjecting it to, up the spoke count, and/or find a new wheel builder.