[wilderness]

I'm getting ready to add a rack and pannier mounts to my tdub. I'm leaning heavily towards the cyclerack and that's what I'll probably get. I do have one question however. I know the cyclerack itself is bombproof. What about the pannier bag supports? From the pictures, it looks like they're quick disconnect, which I really like. On the other hand, they're only supported at the top and and that concerns me a bit. In addition to panniers, I'm going to try and fit an aux gas tank on the inside of the left pannier mount, and I may try to fit some heavier gear (e.g., tools) on the inside-right under the muffler. Those seem like ideal locations because they're low and reasonably close the the centerline. However, when you add in the panniers, that's potentially a lot of weight on those bag supports and I'm wondering if they're sturdy enough. Any comments from someone who has the cyclerack pannier bag supports would be greatly appreciated. In the cyclerack pictures, the bungie cord holding the pannier mounts looks way too high to me, but that's easily remedied. Further, if the the mounts themselves are sturdy enough I could easily weld a bracket or fashion a crossbrace to tie the two mounts together. My only concern at this point is the sturdiness of the pannier mounts themselves. They look pretty good in the pictures, but I want to be sure.



I'm and old backpacker who got a tdub about a year ago because my hips gave out before my wanderlust gave out. The tdub carries the loads my old worn out hips can no longer carry. Hopefully, I haven't asked a question that's too stupid.

 

[mrlmd]

Those pannier supports are made out of the same heavy duty tubing as the cyclerack itself and they way they lock on to the rack, I doubt you could ever bend them carrying any reasonable (or unreasonable) load on them. They are made to attach aux gas tanks to and can easily carry that amount of weight. The bungee cord only serves to keep them from swinging out sideways and to make sure they stay locked on to the rack. You could tie them with a length of rope or cord if you want something more secure, or easily attach a metal bar connecting them. If you weld a bar between them, you will never get them off unless you cut the bar or unweld it. Better if you want something "permanent" to make it so you can screw or bolt it it together.

I like the idea but never bought them because I thought at the time they were too expensive,

 

[lizrdbrth]

You could also make up a spreader bar to tie them together. Take a look at a rear view of the Happy Trails pannier racks to see what I mean.

 

[wilderness]

Much appreciated. I assumed the supports were well made, but it never hurts to ask.

 

[thal13]

FYI- they no longer rely on a bungee to tie the pannier supports together- they use ballistic nylon webbing strap with a tough quick-disconnect latch. Bought mine approx 2 months ago.



Regarding you question- My off-the-cuff opinion is that I would put 50 lbs on each pannier support with no reservations. These components will haul more than your bike can safely carry.