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Pannier rack on carbon frames

by Welsh boy
Thu, Feb 25, 2021 07:19
7

My friend is looking at buying a Giant Defy Advanced and has asked if, being a carbon frame with mudguard fittings, he could fit a pannier rack for some light weight touring when (if) we go over to France for a couple of days later this year. My first thought how would he fix the top rack fitting because the frame doesnt use a standard seat post clamp which he could swap out for one wih integral rack fittings so I then wondered about a seat post fitted rack but it appears that the seat post is a composite mateial rather than aluminium.  Does anyone have any suggestins based on real world experience? 

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7 comments

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matthewn5 | 3 years ago
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I'd recommend replacing the seatpost clamp with a rack mount seat clamp to get the top fittings, and then mount to the axle. There are fittings for either QR or through axles (see below). That way the load is taken straight to the wheel and the front rods take the horizontal load through the seat clamp, which is a strong point.

Rack mount seatpost clamp:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/seat-posts/286-passport-seat-clamp-with-rack...

Rack mount for QR axles:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/carriers-racks/tubus-adapter-set-for-quick-r...

Rack mount for through axles:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/trailers/robert-axle-project-yoke-mounted-re...

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zeeridesbikes | 3 years ago
1 like

I bought a tailfin rack with their bag for my commute. It can be fitted to a carbon bike. It's a superb bit of kit but expensive. Done a few tours with it too. 

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wtjs | 3 years ago
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I agree! Carradice SQR just the job. Big saddlebags are great, except they're not made of sensible nylon.

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Welsh boy | 3 years ago
1 like

Thanks all, confirms what I suspected, I will let my friend know what the consensus is 

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HoarseMann | 3 years ago
1 like

I'd say forget a standard or seat post clamping rack. Both could risk damage to the post or frame. If they're mudguard only mounts, they won't be designed to bear a load. There are better options for a bike like that...

£ - a backpack
££ - a seatpack
£££ - a tailfin

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wycombewheeler replied to HoarseMann | 3 years ago
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I wouldn't worry too much about the carbon seatpost not being up to the job. I've used a carrdadice sqr on carbon seatposts over thousands of kilometers, I'd be more worried about the mounting points in the frame not being up to the job as they are probably intended for mudguards and not pannier racks.

https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/saddlebags/lightweight-audax-saddlebag-... + https://www.carradice.co.uk/products/accessories/sqr-system

or 

 https://www.carradice.co.uk/bags/saddle-packs-sqr-bags/carradry-sqr-bag

If you need more stuff. But ensure you have enough seat post length to fit this and keep the bag clear of the wheel/mudguard.

Carradice advise that the sqr system can be fitted to a carbon seatpost but the seatpost must be protected from the clamp, I use a small length of dead inner tube to keep the hard edges of the clamp from abradining the carbon.

Then there are always frame bags and handlebar bags

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HoarseMann replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
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Yep, the SQR would be ok as it's more of a mount than a rack and the weight is kept quite close to the post - it's those long seatpost racks like a huge lever that would not be a good idea.

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