sunburst

... and none of my panniers fit! And it took me so long to get them on, I missed the farmer's market. Then when I tried mounting my old Cannondale panniers the bottom hook system was incompatible. Then tried my equally old (20+ years) TailWinds, and they wouldn't fit, on either the top or bottom rails. Both sets are sized for the front.

So, I either forget these particular lowriders (Perf. Transit), find a different rack, or buy some new panniers. I'm considered new panniers, since the Cannondales are shot anyway, and the Tailwinds don't have pockets or dividers of any type to organize.

Any suggestions for something affordable, small and easy to live with? They don't need to be waterproof necessarily. Mostly I'll be carrying clothes, books, or food, with the occasional light touring/trekking.

Cyclist0383

Exactly which rack is it?

EmmCeeBee

I'm curious what the problem is -- what is it that "doesn't fit"? Pictures, maybe.....

I've installed a few low-riders (the original Blackburn-type design with the "hoop") and I have to finagle the mounting a bit to get panniers to mount properly. I've had several types of panniers mounted on them, but they're all basically cheap-o bags, not ones with fancy mounting hardware.

More details please....

-- Mark

roadfix

Almost anything can be modified to fit, especially when it comes to touring/commuting gear. Pictures would help.

staehpj1

I used that rack with several different models of panniers and had no issues. In what way do they not fit? Is it that the fork interferes with the hooks? If so spacers between the rack and the fork blade may be the answer. Pictures from a few angles?

Edit: The bottom hook issue should be adaptable without too much problem.

staehpj1

I like the Nashbar of Performance waterproof panniers, but you may not since you want pockets or dividers. I like one big pouch and use big ziplocks to organize gear.

sunburst

The model of the rack is "Transit Front Pannier Rack." That took some real marketing brainpower I bet.

You can see the Cannondale on the rear rack. The mate to this one is affected by mildew, and is a lost cause, so don't spend much time trying to debug that problem. They are way past their prime and need replacing. But anyway, the problem I earlier described, is that there is nothing on the rack to attach the bottom of that spring to. Newer panniers have a hook on the bottom, which would work fine.

I expected/wanted the silver Tailwinds to work though. I had used them on a tour with a blackburn lowrider, which I sold long ago. Notice the way the Tailwinds are attached - the top hooks have a hole in them, that the silver tabs insert through. It creates a very secure lock on the hooks. The top rail of the rack does not accommodate this approach at all. The top rail is too tall.

So I think it's time to buy something more modern - just don't have or want to spend mucho $$$.

staehpj1

Do you mean the sheet metal part is too tall? If so why not just drill holes for the pins?

If it is the flattened rod/tube part itself that is too tall the Nashbar version of the rack is shallower in that regard.

sunburst

Duh - good idea. Didn't even occur to me.

valygrl

I have c'dale panniers too, and they came with a little hook that you install between the lower rack eyelet and the rack - basically, you are just missing a piece of hardware. If you wanted to keep them, you could probably get a stand-in hook at a hardware store.

None of the current models use a hook attached to the rack, they put the hook on the pannier.

I would recommend, if you like the c'dale panniers, to look into Lone Peak - they are a similar light-weight side-loading style, have some pockets (depending on which model you get) and are relatively inexpensive.

These are the best I've found for a side-loader, as opposed to the top-loading waterproof Ortlieb/Performance brand style. Arkel makes a nice side loader too, but they are very heavy and over-built, with too many pockets and features that aren't that useful and add lots of weight.

www.thetouringstore.com for Lone Peak, free shipping, great customer service - talk to Wayne.

Quemal

I have the exact same pannier. I use it for my grocery shopping. I have them mounted on a Blackburn Rack, also about 25+ years old. I checked them out, they are available at REI. These racks are still being made.

Hope this helps.

cabana 4 life

https://swiftindustries.wordpress.com...****in-prices/

i got mine from theses guys and they are awesome. they are hand made and super tough.

thecrunge

Not long ago, I used the same C'dale/B'burn low-rider set-up. Hooks were included with the panniers, but didn't fit the rack. To make the panniers fit, I removed the springs, and replaced them with 1" wide webbing and side release buckles. There was just a little sewing involved. I melted a hole in each end of the strap with a hot nail for the screws to go through that held the spring. For many years, this set up was very solid.

sunburst

The Lone Peak look good. Good price too.

I found some SunLite panniers for $55 at my LBS that work pretty well. At that price I decided to forgo my usual and laborious purchasing decision process. And at any rate, it feels good to occasionally support your local LBS. The Sunlites have outer pockets, and I found them very handy tonight for carrying books, clothes, glasses, etc. And if they don't last forever, I can live with that. They fit the lowriders fine, and I can use my old Tailwinds on the rear.

One thing that surprised me was how stable (and still fast and nimble) the bike felt with the front wheel loaded. I hardly noticed the weight.