Racks and Luggage for Folders?

[malkin]

We just got Bikes Friday and don't know how to set them up to carry stuff.

Front or back racks & panniers or trunk bag or handlebar bag...No need to carry our whole life support, but maybe grab a loaf of bread and quart of milk or sixer of beer, okay, maybe it is basic life support after all. And a few tools stuff like that.

You?

[Blueberry]

Rear Rack and Arkel Tail Rider is my preferred setup for most riding (or if I really don't need to carry anything, just a saddle bag). I have panniers for when I need to carry more (i.e., large grocery run).

[emily_in_nc]

We have front and rear racks and full sets of panniers when needed (i.e., touring, large grocery run), but more typically, DH would use full panniers plus Arkel Tailrider, and I'd just use a Tailrider, since he's the stronger rider. Or I'd use one set of panniers. We also have handlebar bags but only used them for touring as having weight up high isn't as good for bike handling.

If you only use one set of panniers, it's best to use front panniers rather than having all the weight on the rear. With front panniers and a rear trunk bag, like a Tailrider, you can carry quite a bit.

Enjoy your Bike Fridays!

[malkin]

Do normal racks fit or do you need the ones that BF sells?

[Blueberry]

I believe normal racks will fit - but I'm not 100% sure.

I have the folding rack from BF (which is pricey). If you do intend to travel with the BF, though, it's the only one that will fit in the suitcase. There really is no way to get the non-folding one in the suitcase with the bike.

As far as front and back - if you are carrying a full load, I agree with Emily that balancing front and back is a good idea. But - if you're only carrying a few things at a time (~10 lbs or less), I've not noticed a handling problem (and I don't have a front rack at all).

[ridebikeme]

Another alternative to racks and panniers are some of the bags made by Relevate Design, Cleaveland Mountianeering, etc... I did an self contained tour this summer, and the friend that I went with used racks/panniers and I used some of the above. There's a comparison on my shops' blog if you are interested.... http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com.

Have fun trying to decide what will work best for you!!

[emily_in_nc]

As far as front and back - if you are carrying a full load, I agree with Emily that balancing front and back is a good idea. But - if you're only carrying a few things at a time (~10 lbs or less), I've not noticed a handling problem (and I don't have a front rack at all).

Good point -- I was thinking more of some of our grocery runs in Chapel Hill/Carrboro, where we'd buy bags of apples, carrots, beans, veggies from the farmer's market, wine, and the like, so the panniers got pretty heavy! In that case, it's best to split between front and rear panniers, or put everything in the front. But with a light load, rear panniers only are fine.

I am thinking you do have to use special racks because of the small wheel size, but I can't recall for sure. We went ahead and bought racks directly from Green Gear (Bike Friday) at the same time as we bought our bikes.

[featuretile]

I just bought one of these CrossRacks from a different folding bike company for my Bike Friday - Xootr. http://www.xootr.com/crossrack-bike-rack.html
I haven't used it yet, but it fits fine. It is a single pannier that attaches to the seatpost. I plan on using it for light 'credit card' touring when you only need some clothes and no camping equipment. It would work for bread and milk. It seems to be more out of the way than the usual panniers and racks. Front bags don't fit very well on my Bike Friday because the cables are in the way.

CrossRack Bike Rack Features
Mounts to most bicycles and scooters.
Centers load for best balance.
Positions cargo in slipstream of rider for low drag.
Works with most standard bicycle panniers.
Detaches in 5 seconds via locking pin.
Rack "horns"can hang many standard bags, including plastic shopping bags.
Welded aluminum construction.
Fits post diameters from 1.0 - 1.4 inches (25 - 35 mm).
Weighs 664 grams.
Load limit: 25lbs.