Well that was sort of the sound of my pannier getting sucked into my wheel at 20 mph on my way to work. Luckily I was on a trail so my wheel locked up and skidded to a stop- no damage found on the wheel or pannier after unwrapping the pannier from the spokes (on a new set of wheels I might add). Lucky I wasn't on pavement I think.

So I have both Bontrager pannier and rack. The pannier has a stiff board but doesn't extend across the whole length and the rack is V shaped with no back rails for suck. This is on a cyclo bike.

Anybody have suggestions as to new panniers or rack? The Bontrager weren't exactly cheap.

Gene

I learned this the hard way too, so don't feel bad.

Just about any rack with three legs--with the rear one extending back before going up--will work to keep the pannier out of the spokes. I have a no-name $20 cheapie from the LBS on one bike, and a bucks-deluxe Tubus Cosmo on another. Both keep the panniers out of the spokes.

I to had the same proolem with my Axiom Journey rack and Seymour bags..The bags have dual buckles and I solved the problem by criscrossing the buckles..

I use the Axiom Odysee on my LHT, and it solved that very issue.

Never had a backpack get sucked into a wheel.

(ducks)

Swing

I am looking at the axiom line - thanks. It worries me that there was suck with the journeys though, a they have rearward going tubes as well.

Gene

Yikes! Is this a common thing?
I'm using a TransIt Rack and panniers, should I be worried about this happening?

Before I got the rack with the dog-legged rear stays, I modified the previous rack by attaching an aluminum rails to the side stays so they extended to the back of the panniers. It didnt look very elegant, but it worked. You could also try putting all your stuff in a trunk bag on top of the rack - this will discourage overloading.

Yeah, I thought of that (al rail kludge) but would be worried about the rail breaking loose and fubaring the wheel. This weeking I am going to see if I can salvage what I have by inserting a long stiff backbone into the panniers.

btw, I just changed my wheels from many round spokes to fewer flat (Mavic Aksium) spokes. I wonder if this affected the air flow and had something to do with it all of a sudden.

Cheers
Gene

This has never happened to me using a pannier. I have had several types of panniers and I have several racks of no particular distinction... certainly nothing as fancy as a Tubus.

A long time ago I was experimenting with cloth grocery bags to see if they would be a good replacement for panniers. That experiment cost me several spokes.

Probably a good idea when you use panniers for the first time to make sure a) that they won't sag into the wheel and b) they are super-securely attached. When you begin your commute, make sure there are no straps loose and any bungees within two miles of the rear wheel are safely stowed.

I should clarify that in the 1,676.11 miles ive had these bags and racks the suck has never happened while loaded..

Thanks for the clarification. If I can't fix the panniers this weekend I will look into the Axiom (or maybe a messenger bag, hmm).
Gene

I dont think stiffening the panniers will help as much as stiffening the pannier attachment to the rack. I kept the rails in place by riveting clips arount the rack stays. You could also make the rail in a U shape going around the back of the wheel to rack on the other side.
It isnt the airflow that takes the pannier into the wheel, but a sudden swerve.

Yes, well when it happened I was out of the seat accelerating so you are probably right about the swerving. I put a couple of support boards in it so I think it looks like it won't go into the wheel if I swerve. For now. Thnx

Ensure that your pannier is bungee'd to the "leg" of the rack. It prevents it from bouncing up and down which leads to spoke impact.