Rack/Pannier weight

This is a pure newbie question :p

When I add fenders/racks to my LHT, will I notice a difference in bike handling due to the weight? I've noted that Surly racks do seem to be heavy....is there a lighter-weight choice that would give me the same benefit? I know that Surly racks are pretty much bomb-proof...

I just do not see myself doing full heavy touring, though I can see light/credit card touring in my future, along with commuting and the odd errands. I was looking at the Ortlieb front panniers that someone posted on another thread here that she puts on the back of her bike - and was pleased to see that they make carrying straps for it so one can take it off the bike/into the store.

As far as loads are concerned, I would imagine that would be determined by how much weight one loaded. Just trying to get an idea what to expect when I start putting other things on my beautiful LHT.

I just discovered my back rack can carry up to 150+ lbs. :eek:
http://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...racks/journey/
But I've had it for past few years on my bike permanently. I ride most times with a bike pannier, simply because we don't have a car and I can't always predict what I might buy spontaneously along a ride.

You said you predict you will not do heavy touring but will be commuting and doing some chores for carrying weight in bike pannier.

Let's put it this way: It's better to have a stronger bike back rack because right now you might be under-estimating what you are willing to bike around weight-wise in the future. You might surprise yourself. :) When I returned to cycling, I no inkling of the type of weight I was going to ride around when doing errands or touring.

I have biked loaded panniers with groceries heavy enough which meant steering carefully along a busy road...and one of the stores is only 1 kms. away. (thank goodness, though I kept on thinking is my back tire going to get abit soft?) But you still need, a strong rack!

I don't have front bike rack. For bike touring trips, I haven't found the need for them. It just gets piled on the back of bike. But each person is different here. I've just become much more selective and efficient in amount of clothing when bike touring.

I am not familiar with the front rack to back rack converters.

Surly "Nice Racks" are made from chromoly-steel tubing - sturdy hardcore stuff. I want to get one for my 520 - well that or another steel type. Aluminum racks are cheaper, but aren't as durable. I've broken an aluminum rack (rated for 50 lbs.) with only 20 lbs. on it (I suspect it was a factory defect). Steel racks are more expensive but more durable in the long run. Cost vs. Quality - in my opinion ( & experience) - I'd go quality everytime.

Also, Panniers are handy as hell. I've got a great (and cheap) pair of Banjo Brothers Saddlebag Panniers. Great for around town, commuting, hauling grocieries, etc. If you plan to do touring I'd purchase some higher quality ones - but the Banjos have suited me fine for general use. Ortliebs are on my short list of new touring panniers. I'm sort of taken by some retro-grouch waxed cloth Ostrich brand panniers but I'm sure I'll reign in that desire and go practical. :)

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Originally Posted by Catrin

When I add fenders/racks to my LHT, will I notice a difference in bike handling due to the weight?

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No.

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Originally Posted by Zen

No.

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Thank you - I was just trying to decide if I needed to put off the racks for a time - but it doesn't sound like I need to. I have heard good things on the Surly racks so will start with one of their rear racks, and should I decide to do real touring in the future will follow that up with front racks. It makes sense to just start with a strong rack.

I'm more klutzy walking with my bike with loaded panniers.
Can be embarrassing in the hall at work.

Topeak rear rack
Deuter panniers

I rode once with front panniers and thought it was kinda funky and visually distracting, but that was decades ago.

I was lusting after a Surly rack until I discovered the rack alone weights 3 pounds. :eek: It may well be bomb proof but three pounds is HEAVY! If I was going to be doing serious global touring I would get one. However, I went with a much lighter and equally well made Tubus rack. It's more rack than I needed, but I had to get the top of the line rack because it matched my fenders. :o It's on the bike all the time so I wanted something lighter. I have to carry my bike upstairs when I get to work. And my Surly is a heavy sucker! :D bikerHen

I re-read your orginial post. The shoulder straps on my Ortlieb panniers are great. I would never get myself, my bike and the panniers upstairs in one trip without them. The first time I tried carring my bike upstairs with the panniers still attached I almost fell over backwards!

I can tell the difference when i am walking the bike or loading the bike into a car or a bike rack, but I can't tell much difference when I am riding.

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Originally Posted by bikerHen

However, I went with a much lighter and equally well made Tubus rack.

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I'm getting a Tubus Fly for my new light tourer. My builder has found them very reliable and beautifully light for what I need.

Break one aluminum rack - * with it collapsing into your wheel and throwing you from your bike in heavy traffic - not fun - still have the scars to this day * and "bomb proof" may be a major concern of yours too. :D Albeit, 3lbs. does seem heavy for a steel rack.

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Originally Posted by moderncyclista

Break one aluminum rack - * with it collapsing into your wheel and throwing you from your bike in heavy traffic - not fun - still have the scars to this day * and "bomb proof" may be a major concern of yours too. :D Albeit, 3lbs. does seem heavy for a steel rack.

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Surly's site says that the front rack is 2.95 pounds and the rear 2.45 pounds - this includes all of the hardware and so forth to attach them to the bike. I do find it interesting that the rear rack is lighter than the front - but I don't know much about this. http://surlybikes.com/blog/spew/13_-...chnical_stuff/

I doubt that I will get the front rack...

Yeah, there are much lighter ones that'll do the job. You might only want a rear rack - unless you do heavily loaded touring. A rear rack is handy though - I recommend one. Even after my bad personal experiences with aluminum ones. I had a really sturdy Blackburn Trail aluminum rack on one of my old bikes. Hauled like a champ. I guess I'm kind of paranoid about breakage now, I can keep the one I have for now. :)

The Tubus Logo (chromoly) or Cosmo (stainless steel) are great racks. Very stiff and with a lower bar for mounting paniers. And fender mounting holes on the rack.

I put Delta Megaracks on my Trucker, front and rear, along with two bottle cages. Total weight of the bike before adding bottles and panniers is 33 pounds, 12 ounces.

What I've found over the past month or so is that whether I'm riding the Trucker loaded or fully loaded, it handles pretty much the same. Just be sure to balance your load, and you should be okay.

Tom

Back to the original question, just putting on racks/fenders shouldn't affect handling. But the load you put on the rack sure can... On a recent trip to the supermarket, I got carried away, and ended up with less than 5 lbs of fragile stuff in one pannier, and 20+ lbs in the other. Handling was absolutely affected; thankfully it was only 2 miles home.

Enjoy your Surly!

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Originally Posted by DebW

The Tubus Logo (chromoly) or Cosmo (stainless steel) are great racks. Very stiff and with a lower bar for mounting paniers. And fender mounting holes on the rack.

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The Cosmo is what I have and it's very solid, strong and lightweight. I haven't really loaded it up yet, except for a run to the store. I ended up carrying two half gallons of milk, one half gallon of orange juice and other assorted items. Not really sure what I was thinking. :eek: I had more trouble fitting everything into the panniers than the actual carrying for the 3 mile ride home.

Fenders are a must have on any commuter bike, IMO. I really labored over putting the back rack on the Surly because of the extra weight. Since I took the plunge and did it, I'm very happy with the rack/pannier option. And no, there is no difference in handling. The Surly's are made to carry a load and actually seem to handle better when loaded down. Except of course if the wind is blowing! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by bikerHen

made to carry a load and actually seem to handle better when loaded down. Except of course if the wind is blowing! :rolleyes:

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When it is windy, I prefer my bike is abit more loaded on the bike, especially on a descent or on a bridge. Otherwise I feel as if am pushed sideways by wind. My partner thinks I'm paranoid re my light body weight under wind conditions since I'm short and hence closer to the ground, and at a better advantage in terms of bike balance. I dunno.

I've only cycled with a bike without a back rack when I was a teenager. I don't know any better in terms of bike weight, which can't be a terrible thing if I've gotten this far and still like cycling often. :) Ignoramus me.