ShinyBiker

I am riding a Downtube 20” IGH bike. I removed the stock rack because it sat too low and was basically just good for those bags that sit on top of the rack. I installed an old bike rack that was meant for 26” wheel bikes, I think. That worked fine for the open grocery panniers since they were small and boxy and the rack rode higher than the original DT one. Here’s the pix of the replacement rack:



https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EqgpUrE0IE...o/s1600/dt.JPG

Now, I’ve just got some Ortlieb rear classic pannier and I’m having this heel strike issue. I’m already setting the ortliebs as far back as I can go. If you are familiar with the Ortliebs, they look like an upside down pear. I’m wondering if any of you have experience on other racks that could work for me.

I don’t have huge feet (size 9-10). Also, I don’t really care if the rack interferes with folding since I rarely fold my bike anyway. Thanks in advance.

bored117 

get a rack that goes slightly further out? It looks like it doesn't even extend to the rear fender...

RunningPirate

I have this on my touring bike: https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...iner-road-dlx/

The tabs on the bottom allow the rack to be moved back about 4cm. I think three of the Axiom racks have this feature.

FrenchFit 

I have the Jandd Expedition Xl racks on the rear of two bikes, one 26" and one 27". I can't imagine any rack that would allow you mount bags any further back than the big Jandd, but a 20" bike...I don't know.

jur

I made some simple plates for my Mini which I bolt into the original rack hole, and which rests on the rear axle nuts. The plates then provide a new mounting hole further back. That worked quite well although not as rigid as mounting directly on the frame.

DVC45

Off topic, but I like that chain guard you got there. What brand is it and where do you buy 'em? Thanks!

As for racks, Axiom makes one that mounts further back. https://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CH0Q8wIwBg#

' not sure if it would work with your folder though.

AEO

I wonder if the dahon arc lite touring rack fits on there.
It is one of the racks designed to move the panniers further back.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have adjustable arms, so it's a bit of a mystery if it will fit a dahon licensed downtube.

chucky

What's the problem with stuff sitting on top of the rack?

I find the best way to carry stuff is to hang bags from the back of the seat rails, anchoring the bottom of large bags to the rack to keep them away from your feet and from swaying. If you need more space then simply layer on more bags, growing the bundle deeper backwards and wider:


It's hard to imagine this approach not giving enough carrying capacity with a 20" wheel (I actually think it's perfect since, unlike the pic above, with a 20" wheel compatible rack the rack supports most of the weight which is easier on the bags). It's only when your wheels are too big that you need things like panniers and other specialized bicycle luggage, but for you I think panniers are a solution in search of a problem.

ShinyBiker

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I'll try to fashion what Jur did. With a 16" wheel that the mini had, that may work.

chucky, Side mounted bags are better for balance purposes. You put a top heavy item on the top rack and it could topple over esp. when parked. And, I plan to carry a lot of stuff on both sides. Eventually, any top container would fill up. A milk crate would work, but that doesn't look so hot. Finally, I'm really excited about these Ortliebs. My first "real" panniers!

That Dahon arclite looks to be problematic (for me anyway). I can sort of avoid my problem by pedalling with the middle of the foot, but looks like that Dahon owner clips in. Maybe he/she has little feet.

I thought maybe there was a 20" designed rack that had flat L at the bottom and extendable wires. Runningpirate, when you say "touring bike" is yours a 20" touring bike? DVC, do you have any experience with that Axiom rack. It says "road bike". it may be too big.

DVC, my chainguard is a SKS Chainboard. Google is your friend.

jur

If you make plates, it may be a good idea to try and find the optimum position for the new mounting hole. My plates place the rack backwards and downwards, not necessarily better for heelstrike. I wanted my rack to be a bit lower as for that tour, I had a racktop bag plus a big saddle bag for which I needed to create room.

Your optimal plate might be square in shape so as to provide a higher hole, and might be captured under the axle bolt as well (assuming the axle is long enough). You will also need to consider how to remove the wheel for puncture repair.

I used stainless steel which I had lying around.

fietsbob

seat post racks move the stuff up, that makes foot clearance too ..

Russcoles11

You would be better off putting loads at the front on most small wheelers.
I use this front rack https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Bor-Yueh-F...item746af635f4


I have also used one of these and found them to be a reasonable rack for light useage (another way of saying mine broke when I carried too much over bumps): https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alloy-cycle-bi...item3cb30ede47

Russcoles11

Incidentally having the weight on the front helps to keep the front wheel on the floor on hills and allows you to judge how well you can fit through small gaps.

la2sei

this is the Avenir rack I use on my folder.

https://brandscycle.com/product/aveni...-rack-2584.htm

chucky

Suit yourself, but with a taller rack your load is higher than it would be with a short rack that snugly fits your short wheel. Also, with small wheels you don't need to use a crate or container which has the potential to topple. That's just the point: with a small wheel there's enough space below the seat to hang a bag and if it happens to expand left or right or hangs down...well that's what panniers do anyway except they also waste the space in the middle and require you to split your stuff up (in addition to the heel strike problems you're dealing with).

relyt

If you do use an Axiom streamliner rack, I recommend that you replace the center rack strut with something stronger. You can find a Wald rack strut online for about $5, for example. The Axiom strut is made of soft metal and can bend under the weight of what is in your panniers.