Front panniers - how low to go?
08-18-08, 11:42 AM
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Artful Dodger
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Front panniers - how low to go?
I'm making some plastic-pail panniers for an upcoming week's jaunt to the Orgegon coast. In mounting the front ones, I'm trying to decide how low to go. I'll be traveling on gravel fire roads for a good portion (@200 miles) of the trip. Obviously, there's a trade off between the lowest possible center of gravity (good) and touching down on a turn (VERY, VERY bad). With 26" wheels, how much clearance would you go for? I'm thinking 6". Too low? The bottom of the panniers are 9.5" x 9.5".
08-18-08, 11:51 AM
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I run my front panniers in a high position on a 700c LHT and a 26" Big Dummy with OMM Cold Springs front racks. I haven't had any handling issues with either bike even with some significant weight in my bags.
08-18-08, 01:07 PM
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I crashed badly when my front panniers scrapped the ground, so you concern is valid. Of course, it was my fault because the panniers were designed for the rear. Anyway, I mounted the hardware 2" lower and solved the problem.
On my 700c wheel there is now 10" between the ground and the bottom of my 7" deep pannier. Your buckets are 9.5" deep, so in a turn they will be lower than my panniers. Since you'll be off the pavement and on 26" wheels, I'd suggest that you forget about lowrider racks. You'll get a front rack platform as a bonus!
On my 700c wheel there is now 10" between the ground and the bottom of my 7" deep pannier. Your buckets are 9.5" deep, so in a turn they will be lower than my panniers. Since you'll be off the pavement and on 26" wheels, I'd suggest that you forget about lowrider racks. You'll get a front rack platform as a bonus!
08-18-08, 01:51 PM
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I use Carradice Super C front panniers on a Tubus Ergo lowrider rack and 26" wheels running 2" tyres.
The ground clearance is 8 and a half inches and this has been enough for me on surfaces like forest fireroads.
I would not like to go as low as 6 inches clearance - tempting fate too much.
The ground clearance is 8 and a half inches and this has been enough for me on surfaces like forest fireroads.
I would not like to go as low as 6 inches clearance - tempting fate too much.
