Author Topic: Ultralite rack and panniers?  (Read 17454 times)

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Offline desertrat58

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« on: April 16, 2004, 07:39:17 pm »
I'm searching for an ultralite rack and pannier system for fast touring on a fast bike. There was a system called the n'Aero Pak and rack, but it is no longer being manufactured. I don't need a lot of volume, but most rack-top packs seem very kludgy and heavy. The n'Aero Pak had a narrow rack and about 1700 ci of volume, with the whole set-up weighing a claimed 2 pounds. Perfect. Does anyone know of anything designed for light, fast touring? The lightest pannier and rack systems I seem to be able to find weigh over 5 pounds, which seems excessive to carry a 10 pound load. And yes, I carry camping gear.

As a tip, from an ultralite backpacker. When I read about "loaded touring", I shake my head and think it needs to be renamed "overloaded touring". Every bike tourist should read the books by Ray Jardine on ulralite backpacking. See Amazon, he has at least 2 out now.


Offline wanderingwheel

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2004, 01:06:29 am »
There are a number of different options if you only want to carry a small load.  Perhaps the most popular one now is a seatpost rack with a small trunk.  These are very easy to find and can generally carry about 20 lbs.  They work best with trunks that are not very tall; the new Arkel trunk looks perfect for them.  There are number on the market and I can't say for certain which one is lighter than the others.  Make sure that you are using a normal seatpost (not carbon) and that the rack you buy fits your bike.  Some racks will push the trunk into the back of your seat or set it on the brakes.  With a small load, they work well and do not effect handling significantly.  They will become noticable if you like to stand a lot.  I have used these to great effect on shorter trips with my ultralite load.

Another option is to use a transverse saddle mounted bag (Carridice bag).  These can carry all your gear and come in many sizes so your not stuck with a bag twice the size that you actually need.  You saddle most liekly does not have the loops needed to mount on of these, so you will also need a seatpost mounted bag lifter that has the needed loops.  These are generally larger than the rack and trunk, but are less secure and may brush against your thighs while riding.  Rivendell, Harris Cyclery, and Wall Bike all carry these bags.

A third option is to look back to the French bikes and to use a small fork mounted rack with a small bag.  The hard part with this is finding the rack and finding a spot to mount it on a modern bike.  The old bikes used to mount these to the brake bolts when they used sidepull or cantilever brakes.  If you can put it all together, it is a very elegant solution because it is very secure, will not effect handling (assuming a light load), and is easily accesible while riding.  Momovelo is probably the best place to start looking for these.  The rack will also be lighter than a seatpost rack.

Of course, you could always carry your gear in a small backpack, also.

Speaking about weight, one of the things I like about bicycle touring is that an extra pound or 10 has alot less affect than an extra pound while backpacking.  When touring using the "Ray Way" I do not go significantly faster or use much less effort than I do when I tour fully loaded.  Instead, I tend to lay in my sleeping bag thinking about the chair and big thermarest that I left at home.  A light bike is nice in cities and when sightseeing, though.

Sean Smith


Offline ofischel

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2004, 03:22:43 pm »
In Answer to:
"As a tip, from an ultralite backpacker. When I read about "loaded touring", I shake my head and think it needs to be renamed "overloaded touring". "

please see our website: www.bike-europe-ultralite.com
about "Ultralite Camping with Bicycles in Europe" or cut and paste following URL: http://www.adfc-bw.de/heidelberg/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=135&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Bernd&Barbie (happy trails..!)
We live in Heidelberg, Germany
WE ARE THE ULTRALITE BICYCLE SPECIALISTS!


(happy trails..!)

Offline JayH

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2004, 07:50:39 pm »
That's too bad, I got my n'aero pack for commuting and it was perfect in that it was light, small and very aerodynamic. The side pockets were fairly small but the top shelf pocket was huge.  It wasn't very waterproof though, but it was very light, a really good pack for a road bike for commuting.  

I think a carradice saddlebag might work out, you can check out www.wallbike.com which is where I got my set of Carradice Super-C panniers and front ones from.

Jay


Offline treborlime

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2004, 10:19:12 pm »
  Have you ever checked out a company by the name of JANDD(www.jandd.com).  They have very interesting panniers and racks.  :)

Bike On Forever,              Bob Sandrie Jr.
Bike On Forever,              Bob Sandrie Jr.

Offline pmspirito

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2004, 12:25:17 am »
I have been told that Jandd will do custom modifications to their equipment or custom make gear for very reasonable prices.

Peter and Judy Spirito

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

Offline treborlime

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2004, 04:35:10 am »
  Yes, they can.  Also, their racks have an elongated bottom support so that panniers can be slid back(if need be) for more heel clearance. :)

Bike On Forever,              Bob Sandrie Jr.
Bike On Forever,              Bob Sandrie Jr.

Offline JayH

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2004, 12:36:13 pm »
Basically a third vertical load bar?  My OMM red rocks rear rack has three bars, two that are the main load bearing bars and a third one behind that will support a pannier. It also supports 60lbs easily. I've never had that much weight on the back (I'd rather distribute it with the front) but it's nice to know it's there.

Jay


Offline wanderingwheel

Ultralite rack and panniers?
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2004, 07:46:05 pm »
While Jandd racks are great and they currently grace my bike, they are certainly not light.  From the side they are shaped like a parralelogram and allow the bottom pannier hook to be placed behind the rear axle by as much as 6 inches, or so.

Sean