Author Topic: Pannier Sizing Question  (Read 12622 times)

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Offline joei4515

Pannier Sizing Question
« on: December 29, 2007, 12:38:51 am »
I have been reading the forum for a few weeks and have gained some valuable information, so want to first say thanks to all who contribute their knowledge and experience here. I have recently purchased a bike (used Tsunami recumbent). This is the first bike I have bought in nearly 50 years, so please forgive me if some of the questions I ask seem a little rudimentary. I want to purchase a set of panniers for my bike and have been looking at photos and searching the forum, but have not been able to determine if there is an appropriate size based on the size of the rack. Some of the photos look as though the panniers extend below the deraillers. Does that create a problem in shifting, or is there a method used to keep the panniers away from the derailler? My rack is 15 inches in height, 12 inches long, and 5.5 inches in width. The bottom attachement point is just above the derailler. I want to get as large a size as practicable, but don't want to interfer with the derailler. Any size recommendations or other suggestions anyone can make?
Joe's 3 rules of contentment: 1. Mind your own business, 2. Don't mind others' business, 3. Remember rules one and two

Offline ptaylor

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2007, 09:01:48 am »
Hi Joe. Welcome to the forum.

Interesting question...I've never given it a thought, and have never heard of anyone having a problem of the pannier interfering with the derailleur. So I checked my rig, and note that the pannier stops about 4 inches above the derailleur. My pannier is 12 inches deep, which I suspect is fairly typical.

Then I checked the ACA store, to get the dimensions of the Arkel GT-54 Grand Touring Rear pannier: I note that this is about 4 inches longer than mine, but even so, would stop short of the derailleur.

The Arkel GT-54 looks to me like a very big pannier. One of my tour companions had a set, and although he had a lot of bike problems, none of them were associated with the pannier or derailleur.

The rear geometry on your recumbent is about the same as on an upright, so I don't think that will be an issue. I'd say, get whatever pannier you like, and it will probably work just fine.

Paul
Paul

Offline bogiesan

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2007, 02:15:53 pm »
Welcome to the family. Be sure to put several thousand miles on the
recumbent before lighting off on your tour. Visit bentrideronline.com
and search the touring forum for helpful advice.  

Here's the only thing I know about going self-contained: If you have
large panniers, you will fill them with stuff you don't need and
shouldn't be carrying. Research "ultralight backpacking" and then adapt
this practical advice to your physical needs and comfort levels.

terracycle.com carries pannier selected carefully for 'bent compatibility.

david boise ID

go, ristretto, FCP/AE
"Read the manual."
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline transam9296

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2008, 03:28:08 pm »
Has anyone ever seen anybody pulling a trailer with a recumbent?

This message was edited by transam9296 on 1-3-08 @ 11:32 AM

Offline ptaylor

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2008, 08:00:43 pm »
Hi Trans.

Well, technically, I have never seen myself. But I have been there.

I have toured on both uprights and a 'bent. In my opinion, the only way to tour with a recumbent, is with a trailer. I say this because you can only put two panniers and a seat pack on a 'bent. For long distance self contained touring, I think you need 4 panniers, or two panniers and a trailer.

I expect your post will contribute to the long running debate of recumbent -vs- upright, of which I am a bystander, not a contributor.

Paul
Paul

Offline bogiesan

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2008, 12:44:22 pm »
> I say this because you can only put two panniers and a seat pack on
a 'bent. For long distance self contained touring,<

Not necessarily, depends on the recumbent. Many will accept front
panniers easily. Many European 'bents can be outfitted with front,
midship, rear, and a trunk. (I will state again, if you have room, you
will fill it with unnecessary stuff.)

The main AC site has an excellent article on trailers vs panniers that
includes a short mention of recumbents and tandems.

david boise ID

go, ristretto, FCP/AE
"Read the manual."
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline litespeed

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2008, 09:46:35 am »
 "...if you have room, you
will fill it with unnecessary stuff."

I heartily agree with bogiesan on this. The more room you have the more stuff you carry. This is an even bigger problem with a trailer. Virtually every touring cyclist I've met with a trailer has lamented "I just pack too much stuff".


Offline joei4515

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2008, 02:48:06 am »
Thanks for the welcome. Sorry for taking so long to respond, but my computer crashed soon after I had submitted my question. I am just getting getting back online. I decided to purchase a set of fairly small panniers (less than 2000 ci) since I will only be using it around town for the forseeable future until I have put many more miles on the bike, gained more experience biking and hopefully met other bikers. I agree with the statement about packing too much baggage. That is something I learned through backpacking with too large a backpack when I first started. Again, thanks for the welcome and comments.

Joe's 3 rules of contentment: 1. Mind your own business, 2. Don't mind others' business, 3. Remember rules one and two
Joe's 3 rules of contentment: 1. Mind your own business, 2. Don't mind others' business, 3. Remember rules one and two

Offline ptaylor

Pannier Sizing Question
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2008, 10:25:50 am »
Joe. Glad it was your computer that crashed, and not your bike.

Paul
Paul