Originally Posted by
LeeG
I've been commuting w my LHTs, first a 700c then 26". Prior to that I had a 26" wheel custom fast touring bike. My irritation with the low rider position on 26" wheels is that in city traffic curb height is close enough to the bags to scrape when I stopped near the curb. I happened to have an OMM Sherpa front rack that adapted perfectly to the top front fork eyelets, mid fork eyelets and cantilever bosses once the axle mount hardware was removed. Once I replaced the cantilevers with linear pull brakes front panniers can be moved back closer to alignment with the fork blades so the weight isn't far forward like on most top mount front racks. It's a very solid and versatile setup.
I'll just have to try it out; the bags are small, 12" tall, so that might help. I've already thought ahead...if the bags up front don't work out and if they are big enough, I could use them on the rear. My second option is to give them to the wife to use on the rear. I would sell the front rack. I like the OMM Sherpa front rack, but this bike is my only bike. I want to keep it simple. I live in an apartment and two bikes is all we can handle. I like to go on fitness rides (or training rides you could call them) and like to train with what I will use when touring. The Duo is fairly low profile without bags hanging on them.
I'll probably end up with a medium sized drybag for sleeing bags & Thermarests. My wife could carry those lightweight bulky items on top of her rear rack and I could carry some heavier items such as extra water.
When I get all this together, I will take a bunch of pictures. I'm probably the only one on this forum who does not even have a bike currently. Thats why I have so much time to type. When we get the bikes you may not hear from me for a while!!