Author Topic: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier  (Read 14366 times)

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Offline Stevenp

Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« on: March 14, 2011, 09:54:29 pm »
I had a thread not long ago with some answers but can't find it.

I find that most often my biggest problem with picking equipment is TOO many options and it paralysis me.

Anyhow, I will be doing a 5 month+ tour across and around the US. That is what these items will be used for. I will tell you what I am thinking and get your thoughts on it.

Give me your thoughts on best options for: (in parenthesis are my thoughts)

1. front rack (Old Man Mountain Ultimate Lowrider ($99.95))
2. fenders (Planet Bike Freddy Fenders Hardcore ($31.49))
3. front panniers -smaller front ones (Ortlieb Front Roller Panniers ($143))

for rear panniers I am probably going with larger Ortliebs

Thanks for your input!

Offline sprocketman

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2011, 11:31:33 pm »
Steve,

I have the Ortlieb rear large panniers. They worked well on a 24 day tour. When it comes to front panniers, be careful. Extra volume begs you to bring things you don't need.

Offline waynemyer

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Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2011, 09:32:47 am »
I agree with your choices except for maybe the Freddy Fenders.  I'd pick the Planet Bike Cascadia fenders.  They are slightly more expensive (~$10 more?), but a much better fender (longer, mudflap, nicer hardware).  Some people swear by SKS, but I had nothing but bad luck with SKS.
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Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2011, 10:12:01 am »
thetouringstore.com has the Ortlieb front roller plus (the model with the better mounting system) for a few dollars less and ships for free.

What about a rear rack?

Offline Stevenp

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2011, 10:25:28 am »
I already own the rear Surly rack. I was looking at fenders and wondering if there are different sizes for the fenders. I will have 32s on my Surly LHT and am not sure what size fenders to get according to the sizes listed. Do fenders fit most all wheel/tire sizes?

Offline cotterg3

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2011, 12:39:01 pm »
OMM Front Rack - Cool rack! Its intended design appears to be for bikes with no eyelets on the front fork. Is this the case with your bike? If so, then it looks like the best option I've seen. However, if you have no eyelets, how do you plan to mount the front fenders? If your fork does have eyelets, then I would say this fancy design is a tad pointless (in my humble opinion) and would consider some of the more standard designs that bolt onto the eyelets (like the tubus front racks, if you don't mind paying $100).

There aren't a lot of lowrider front racks out there. I generally prefer the design which has the bar coming over the wheel to connect the left and right sides, though it has been shown this is not 100% necessary. I was more than happy with the jandd lowrider ($60), simple and sturdy.

Fenders - Planet bike is fine. If you want to keep riders drafting you and your feet dry in wet conditions, a bigger mud flap comes in handy.

Front Panniers - Ortliebs are very nice. I also like waterproof. Problem with ortliebs is there just aren't a lot of compartments. If you go front and rear ortlieb (like I do) the only drawback is trying to compartmentalize everything and having to dig out the bag to find that last granola bar or allen wrench. Handlebar bag for common items (wallet, snacks, camera) is highly recommended in this case.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2011, 12:41:14 pm by cotterg3 »

Offline cotterg3

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2011, 10:14:15 pm »
I already own the rear Surly rack. I was looking at fenders and wondering if there are different sizes for the fenders. I will have 32s on my Surly LHT and am not sure what size fenders to get according to the sizes listed. Do fenders fit most all wheel/tire sizes?

The fenders will say on the packaging, or on the planet bike website what tires they will fit. The fenders should be the appropriate diameter (did your LHT come with 26" or 700c wheels?), and have the appropriate width (maybe around 10 mm wider than the tire at a minimum). I don't see freddy fenders on the planet bike site, but if you check the link for their "hardcore touring fenders" (for example), it will give you the proper info on what tires they will fit:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7056_5.html

Offline Stevenp

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2011, 10:45:01 pm »
How about this pair? Will these be too big for my 32s? Link below

http://www.bikeman.com/FE3314.html

Offline cotterg3

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2011, 01:13:37 am »
Too wide is not really a concern in my opinion, except possibly from an aesthetic standpoint. I googled the brand and noticed they also sell a slightly less wider version intended for tires <35 mm wide if you wanted something a little skinnier.

Offline Tourista829

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2011, 02:04:52 am »
I have Tubus Racks front Tara and rear Cargo. I like this arrangement. However, I wish Tubus made a low rider with a front shelf so I could put my sleeping bag  there. I think the Old Man Mtn front rack, may offer this.

One thing that I like about my Tubus racks is I can add a front a front kickstand to the front rack, to compliment my rear one. It gives me more stability when the bike is fully loaded.

I  have SKS Fenders which are fairly wide 42 mm, in case I want to go wider on my tires.

I have the Ortlieb Roller Classic Front and Rear in grey. I really like them but should have gone with the better fabric. They are truly waterproof

I use a Jandd Handlebar bag. I like the three differentpockets However, it is not waterproof. I wish Ortlieb made a hb bad with pockets, because theirs is waterproof.

Offline Stevenp

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2011, 01:26:59 pm »
I found red fenders that I like but am unsure of whether this set comes with everything I need to mount in onto my Surly LHT or if I need to buy something extra. It seems to me that some fenders have a part on the very top of them that get secured onto the rack, but I'm not sure.

Could you look at this one and tell me if it has everything it needs? Thanks!

http://www.bikeman.com/FE2405.html

Offline rvklassen

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2011, 03:57:01 pm »

1. front rack (Old Man Mountain Ultimate Lowrider ($99.95))
2. fenders (Planet Bike Freddy Fenders Hardcore ($31.49))
3. front panniers -smaller front ones (Ortlieb Front Roller Panniers ($143))

for rear panniers I am probably going with larger Ortliebs

Thanks for your input!
Rack: I prefer the Arkel AC Lowrider.  Used to be OMM, before OMM discontinued it.  Same design.  So far as I can tell, same quality.

Fenders: I prefer the mounting on my SKS to that on my Planet Bike fenders (two bikes, two brands of fender).  But I can't speak to the specifics of this one.

Front Pannier: I prefer Arkel GT-18s.  Because of the pockets.  And if they do get wet inside, they dry without too much hassle.  But that's a matter of personal preference.  The Ortliebs are cheaper.

Offline ducnut

Re: Rack, Fenders, and front pannier
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2011, 09:58:00 pm »
On fenders, go with the wider of the two widths that most offer. You want to buy for the future, not for today. You may be running a 32mm, but, may want to try something wider and you'll want plenty of clearance for debris.

SKS versus Planet Bike: the SKS offer a bit longer fender, though with no flap. However, the PB flap doesn't add much anyway.

I'm not familiar with the Civia fenders. Looking at them, I don't think they're as versatile as either of the two aforementioned options. They have only one set of stays. I'd think that aluminum construction could potentially create more noise/rattles.