Godders

Hi, new to the forums.

I have a Hybrid/commuter/leisure etc bike; a Dawes Sonoran with 700/28 wheels which I use to travel to and from work. It has a pannier and I have a couple of bags for it and they get fairly heavy so I was wandering if there’s a recommended weight limit?

I got a flat within the first few days of riding which turned out to be a dodgy valve rather than a puncture. I wandered if the extra weight on the back of the bike could have contributed?

The search function doesn’t seem to come with ay results for anything!?

Also, can I ask what a Fred is? (Although I’ve a horrible feeling not knowing probably makes me one).

AEO

the search is broken at the moment.

to answer your question, the weight limit depends on how sturdy your rack and panniers are.
usually your basic rack can hold a good 25~30lbs, or 15lbs on each side.

as for your puncture, be sure to put the proper air pressure in depending on your total, you+cargo, weight

Rob_E

Your tires/tubes should not be the weak link. If you were exceeding weight limits of the rack, you should notice problems with the rack itself or the mounting points (see if you can find the weight specifications for your particular rack). If you're exceeding the the weight tolerance of the wheels, you should see that in the form of spoke damage. A popped tires is either improper tire pressure, like AEO said, or the tube was not aligned properly with the whole in the rim, causing it to come out at an angle (or it shifted into a bad position as a result of low tire pressure). Or it is possible that the tube itself was bad, or that the hole in the rim has some rough edges. But not weight, I wouldn't think, not for that particular problem. It'd good to know the weight limits of your racks and bike itself, but this does not sound like a weight issue.

joel1952

To answer your question, the weight of you equipment or luggage will not cause you inner tube valve to leak. A valve will leak because it is not seated properly because of dirt, damage or age-related deterioration.

Further,
if it is a schraeder, it can be a) tightened or b) removed and cleaned or c) replaced. You would need the appropriate tool.
if it is a presta, it can be tightened where it screws onto the stem or if it is bent it can be carefully straightened with a pliers.

Godders

Yeah I have a pressure gauge.

I've been looking at Sheldon Brown's page on tyres which covers pressure and loads and stuff so I think I'm all set.

Thanks for your comments guys.

crhilton

Is this number a number based on experience? I don't carry much weight on mine but I think most rear racks are either rated for 55lbs or 110lbs or 150lbs (the really nice ones). Of course, whether your frame and wheel will take it is harder to establish.

mo_feezy

I don't think I've ever seen a rack rated for 150 lbs. My Surly Nice Rack is rated at 70lbs (front) 80lbs (rear).

Metricoclock

have you weighed out what you carry already?

I'm accustomed of riding with a good 8lbs on the rack in one pannier and not notice much of a problem, but when i load up 47lbs between two panniers i can def feel that it's getting a bit much for my cheap nashbar rack.

AEO

cheap racks, even as cheap as they are, have some sort of max load warning written.
it really depends on the rack, and how it's mounted to the bike. M6 screws can obviously take more load than M5, and something like a big dummy obviously can take on even more.

crhilton

http://www.axiomgear.com/product/rac...uct.php?id=143

I bet Surly is being conservative.

Robert C

In a lot of the world people, and by people I mean full grown adults, frequently ride on bicycle racks. And these are not super strong racks. They are the generic load racks with the spring loaded arm in the middle. I have frequently carried my 20 year old daughter (about 125Lb), and friends a lot heavier than that, on the rear rack.

MichaelW

Heavy loads sway from side to side so require a stiffer rack. My cheap rack is a copy of a Blackburn EX and can take the heaviest load than I can comfortably carry by hand, eg two large panniers full of heavy shopping.
Most bikes have a rider weight limits of 300-350lbs. The Dawes Sonoran should be one of the stronger models. My folder has a 250lbs limit. As a 140lbs rider that leaves a lot of room for luggage.