Panniers on a Surly Steamroller?
 

I was wondering if anyone has ever tried them on a steamroller. I really want to lose my backpack and put on a rack and panniers for my commuting.

I just don't know about heal strike though given the legnth of the chainstays. I could go with just a racktop bag, but I'm considered about what that would do to my center of gravity.

Heel strike would be a definite concern. If you don't have a *lot* of stuff, you may consider a handlebar bag like this cheap & cheerful one: http://www.target.com/p/schwinn-hand...k/-/A-12309349

P.S. Just moving the weight from your backpack to a rack-top bag would lower your center the gravity, for what that's worth.

I've never tried them, and wouldn't want to use them for heavy touring, but some "disc" racks like the Axiom Streamliner Disc DLX have cantilevered lower mounting arms that hold the rack farther back, improving heel clearance. Note: I have the non-disc Streamliner DLX, and its top is too narrow to be used for hoding things on top of the rack. It's strictly for hanging things off the sides.

front rack maybe?

You could just run ortlieb front rollers on back and heel strike wouldn't be as much of a problem.

+1, Or even a Porteur rack , up front to tie your back pack down on.

CETMA a good US made one.. http://cetmacargo.com/
Big platform .. all sorts of useful.

I don't think panniers make sense for commuting if you can just bungie your backpack to the top of your rack. Or - even better - add a basket to the top of your rack. Nothing beat stopping, locking, and taking your backpack out of the basket.

I used to ride with panniers all the time on my Langster with 405mm CSs. Looks like the Steamroller's CSs are a little shorter than that (398mm). You would probably need a long rack and panniers that can be adjusted to sit really far back on that rack. With much weight that far back, the front end can get pretty light. There were times that I literally had to hold down the bars to keep the bike's front end from wanting to flip up when I got off the bike.

My Mercier Kilo WT is a clone of the steamroller. Same geo and measurements. I was worried about the same thing. I went with a Carradice Bagman combined with a medium sized Minnehaha seat bag. This works well, though I am thinking of getting a bigger bag like a Nelson long flap Camper.

Every time I see a Cetma post I have to chime in about my experience. Took 3+ months to get when he said it'd be a couple weeks. Wouldn't answer phone calls/emails. Get the rack and the damn thing isn't done right. Bolts don't fit through the holes. Thing just sits in the corner. Waste of money from my experience.

*Edit*
Oh and bought it exactly for my surly steamroller as well.

VO porteur rack could be an option as well?

Thanks for the advice.

I'll have to check these bags out. I'm familiar with Carradice. I'm also going to look at front racks again. I've seen some flat decks that are good for trips to the farmers market as well.

Guess Mechanics is not Nichola's strong suit. did they seek help
from someone with those aptitudes, apparently, not, Sulking is easier.

kids :50:

It's the principal behind it. Not going to promote the brand that I was frustrated with.