new panniers

Hmmmm... I couldn't figure out if this would be better off in the gear or commuting forum. Since this is my commute bike I'm talking about, I figured here :o

So, I just happened across the Basil Blossom double panniers I've had my eyes on for months and bought them on impulse. Ok, not really impulse since I knew I would buy them the second I laid eyes on them- thank the bike gods for the tax refund here just in time!
I had to get a rear rack installed at the shop and ended up putting the bags on when I got home.
Now I have 2 problems:
1. This is my first experience with panniers and I totally didn't even think that maybe my heels would hit the bags *doh*
2. When I attach the bags a little farther back to compensate they start to droop over the back of the rack. This is several inches, and to get the bags far enough away from my heels it would end up being about 4 inches. The bike is a small-ish men's road frame (the Seattle Langster).

Does anyone have any solutions? I thought about attaching a board to the rack to elongate the platform on which my bags rest, but that doesn't do anything for the heel-strike. I also though about seeing if the lbs can put the rack higher up by bending the struts more. I'd be really sad if I can't keep these on this bike as they make erands so much more...stylish :D

i had the same problem. i clearly did not have enough room for them (heels hitting them) and returned them 5 minutes after I bought them.
If i ever buy panniers they will have to be a smaller size. :( it's a bummer, I really liked those Basil Blossoms too.

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Originally Posted by bruiser

1. This is my first experience with panniers and I totally didn't even think that maybe my heels would hit the bags *doh*
2. When I attach the bags a little farther back to compensate they start to droop over the back of the rack. This is several inches, and to get the bags far enough away from my heels it would end up being about 4 inches. The bike is a small-ish men's road frame (the Seattle Langster).

Does anyone have any solutions? I thought about attaching a board to the rack to elongate the platform on which my bags rest, but that doesn't do anything for the heel-strike. I also though about seeing if the lbs can put the rack higher up by bending the struts more. I'd be really sad if I can't keep these on this bike as they make erands so much more...stylish :D

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I'm holding hope that there is some clever solution out there... I really want them to work! I don't really want to have to return them because I am so smitten with them. I think maybe if I can't get them to fit I will save them for another, FUTURE, bike :D
I keep telling myself, "Stop looking at bikes! You already have too many."
Now I have a legitimate reason to by something different, right?

Can't have too many bikes. They sometimes break, you know :D

Can you fold the forward corners in on themselves (like poking the finger of a glove into itself) and tack them down, to give you a tapered forward edge like touring panniers have?

I've only played with one set of Basil panniers, and when I saw them I was thinking about Mimi's experience. So I messed with them a bit...

Maybe try that and see if it gives you enough clearance before you give up on them?

(and Bruiser, I *like* that Schwinn! Thanks for causing me to suffer MORE bike lust in my life!!!! :rolleyes: )

Knotted- I like that Schwinn, too, that's why I linked it :D Kinda wish it were a 3 speed, though.
Good idea on tucking the corners in. I don't really need much more space to get a good up-stroke. I did realize today that when I crest the hill by my house the wind coming from the west (is that called a westerly?) blew the corners into my spokes. Yech. At the time I was trying to pass a kid walking in the bike lane and the sound made me think my whole rack was going to fall off into traffic :eek:
Plus, there were some studly cyclists coming down the hill opposite me- I wanted to show off my guns but the racket from my bags was ruining my game :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bruiser

Knotted- I like that Schwinn, too, that's why I linked it :D Kinda wish it were a 3 speed, though.

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Umm, it *is* offered as a 3-speed: http://bicyclebananas.com/mm5/mercha...=Schwinn_Cream

See, there's no excuse!

Must.
Buy.
Bike!

(I've got the hots for this one right now: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...en/1278/29345/ but I think the Schwinn Cream is even better! )

I also bought a pair on impulse and have a similar issue. I scooted them as far back on the rack as I could and that mostly took care of it. Now I only have an issue if I put too much weight in them - they sort of sag forward - so I pack sorta carefully. Post again if the corner trick works for you - I may give it a try.

They are super cute, so I'm willing to put up with a little hassle. Plus, for me, they're really only a summer accessory because they are not water resistant enough for Portland rain!

can you email or call Basil? That's usually where I go first when I have a question about a product.

They've probably answered that question a million times and might have an idea! :)

I just bought some Ortliebs (thanks for the tax rebate, George! I know you LOVE bike commuting!) and initially had this same problem - but then I realised that the Ortliebs have a built-in "finger" that holds the bag in a back-position on the rack. Maybe your has something like this as well?

My previous panniers were saddlebags like the ones you show, and I always had them bungeed in position on the back end of the rack, which worked well.

now I have questions:
1. where did you find them? I just got back from Europe and no shop really had a great supply of them.
2. do those bags have a plastic board on the inside to keep them from sagging into the spokes? if they do not I would try and make some.
3. would a longer rack help?

Those really look great. I had panniers for a while but also had the problem with my heels hitting them. Also, I didn't like that i had to take them off and on the bike every time I locked by bike in the city. I didn't want anyone to steal them. I now have a basket that is attached so I don't have to worry but I don't look nearly as cool.

I have a pair of Trek panniers that are similar -- open on top, but similar. Same situation. Tried them today for the first time (more on that trip later) and made this discovery. They were "closed" at the time, and perhaps not folded properly. I'm going to try them open next, and then start looking at potential changes. They're bland black, but I like them for my purposes!

Oh -- amusing part of the story. DH was riding next to me when we were in the "doublewide" stretch of bike lane this afternoon, and he pointed out this OBVIOUS situation to me. Like I wouldn't have noticed my heels rubbing on them ever pedal stroke?

Karen in Boise