So I had the bright idea that, for the few days I need to be in the office, I'm gonna ride there. I've wanted do a few more chores by bike instead of car anyway, so this just spurred me on to get 'set up'.
On the basis it was dropper compatible and 'works on full suspension MTB' I picked up an Aeroe spider rack. This was my first mistake - it really doesn't work very well on bikes with a shallow seat stay. On my full suspension 2020 canyon neuron the rack comes into contact with the seat post and the rack position means panniers barely clear my feet. My hardtail frames (Ragley Marley & Sonder Signal Ti) have similar seat stay angles so it sits too far forward. Oh well, sad times, the rack is genuinely very well designed for bikes it fits.
So it's back to the drawing board. I still want a rack. Commuting with all my stuff in a backpack is not an option for me...
I'm certainly intrigued by the Ortlieb quick rack with the optional through axle... I've already got back roller panniers hence why the quick rack from the same brand seems like a good idea... Anyone used one on a mountain bike (hardtail, of course...)? I'm also open to other ideas if anyone has any recommendations?
Is there not more angle adjustment with the Aeroe Spyder? I thought they were tiltable and all sorts of alterable to fit unconventional frames?
Is there not more angle adjustment with the Aeroe Spyder? I thought they were tiltable and all sorts of alterable to fit unconventional frames?
Not that I can see.
You can adjust the angle of the platform so it is level, but the seat stay angles on my bikes just place the platform too close to the seatpost.
Even buggered about fitting it backwards with minimal benefit!
I’m contacting aeroe anyway but I don’t see a way to make it work.
I use front rollers on a standard rack as my 90's MTB came with all the braise-on fittings, even front pannier rack bolts - clever they were in the 90's. One thing I have done, was but two additional lower clips, as I found the pannier could bounce out with just one on rough surfaces. This worked really well when I was bike packing on a different bike with a 'bodged' rack set up (bike didn't have any fittings).
Tailfin? Expensive, but nobody ever regrets buying their stuff!
Tailfin? Expensive, but nobody ever regrets buying their stuff!
They would be too embarrassed after discovering that they could have bought a touring rack for a third of the price.
But hey, carbon fiber looks cool 😉 🤣 🤣
I have the same problem with the Aeroe. I can't fit the rear dry bag longitudinally without it interfering with the dropper post, so I have to fit in laterally. Same frame as yours, a Ragley Marley.
I've just bought seat stay adapters for the Ortlieb Quick Rack to try on my alu hardtail. Will report back! Have been pleased with it on my cross bike (which has rack mounts).
I have the same problem with the Aeroe. I can't fit the rear dry bag longitudinally without it interfering with the dropper post, so I have to fit in laterally. Same frame as yours, a Ragley Marley.
I'm using the pannier version of the rack, so I think it's a a different version of the same problem. The platform just sits too far forward meaning my feet catch the bags when pedalling.
Tailfin? Expensive, but nobody ever regrets buying their stuff!
I looked at them initially and winced at the price, especially with the extra cost of the adapter to use a normal pannier. Ended up being a no from me.
https://www.topeak.com/us/en/product/1684-TETRARACK-M2-HD
?
I did look at those initially, but I was put off by the fact they need add on side frames to use panniers effectively. Which reportedly makes the whole system a bit less stable than their competition.
I've just bought seat stay adapters for the Ortlieb Quick Rack to try on my alu hardtail. Will report back! Have been pleased with it on my cross bike (which has rack mounts).
Cool, be interested to know how you get on. What bags do you use on the rack?
I'm pondering giving the through axle mount a go. It says good to 180mm and my hardtails are both less than that.
I use front rollers on a standard rack as my 90's MTB came with all the braise-on fittings, even front pannier rack bolts - clever they were in the 90's. One thing I have done, was but two additional lower clips, as I found the pannier could bounce out with just one on rough surfaces. This worked really well when I was bike packing on a different bike with a 'bodged' rack set up (bike didn't have any fittings).
Oooh good shout about another lower clip. Half my commute/beer run is off road and they did seem a bit bouncy - although I put that down to the sub par clip on the aeroe.
Maybe the solution is just resurrect my 2005 hardtail....
I'm happily swapping an ortlieb quick rack between my gravel bike and hard tail depending on how I'm feeling that day
Works well with my back roller panniers on the top rails.
If I was using it for proper MTB terrain then I'd probably want a tailfin setup as the pannier mount is so much more secure.
No regrets for bridleway commuting though
How about a carradice, mounted to the saddle rails with a QR/support bracket?
I've been commuting with mine for 15 years (on and off) and it still looks new. Puts teh weight near your centre of gravity (when seated) so doesn't feel all "tail wagging dog" like I found panniers to. Does raise ths CoG when out of the saddle though.
Mine is a "nelson longflap" which is perfect for a 15" laptop and a days worth of office stuff (with shoes and trousers generally left at the office). I use a QR bracket and a £10 mini rack form amazon bodged onto seat stays. Though I don;t have a dropper post to contend with.
I really like the look of the new Cambrian...
Cheers,
Keith
Maybe the solution is just resurrect my 2005 hardtail....
Or yeah, this. It may even have rack mounts from that era, so a bog standard rack and panniers and jobs a goodun.
And do you really need a dropper to ride to work with? Maybe better to use the older bike so you are less worried about stopping at the shops on the way home/it getting knicked from work.
I use p-clips and standard mounts for my quick rack on my gravel/cross bike. Being a race-bred CX bike it had no mountings. Looks neater than the seat stay option (which I also bought and didn’t fit). I use the same rack on my Enigma fixed wheel. Love it. A small pannier with QL3 is available that leaves the mounting on the rack. Recommended.
How about a carradice, mounted to the saddle rails with a QR/support bracket?
I've been commuting with mine for 15 years (on and off) and it still looks new. Puts teh weight near your centre of gravity (when seated) so doesn't feel all "tail wagging dog" like I found panniers to. Does raise ths CoG when out of the saddle though.
Mine is a "nelson longflap" which is perfect for a 15" laptop and a days worth of office stuff (with shoes and trousers generally left at the office). I use a QR bracket and a £10 mini rack form amazon bodged onto seat stays. Though I don;t have a dropper post to contend with.
I really like the look of the new Cambrian...
Cheers,
Keith
Now that is an option that I really like in principle.
Unfortunately my work machine is a 17" dev spec laptop so it comes in quite a bit heavier, and I still need to carry all my clothes as I'm an infrequent commuter right now!
Dropper is purely as all my bikes have one and I don't really want to put another bike together just for going to work. I'd love to just keep using the Neuron but I think the slightly smaller hardtail will be a better option overall.
Tailfin? Expensive, but nobody ever regrets buying their stuff!
I looked at them again. Didn't clock they were full suss compatible.
What have you done?! 🤣
SQR mount with a camper longflap might do it as a carradice solution. Bag dimensions are all on the website somewhere, so you'll probably be able to find one that works.
And if you spend all day in an office, could you get away with wearing cycling shoes for the odd day?
https://carradice.co.uk/products/odyssey-saddlebag-26-litre
This looks like it might hit the spot? Just need to ensure you can mount it high enough to clear the wheel, hence my suggestion of an sqr fitting, which can the bag up a bit.
Also, consider fitting a rigid seat post to the old hardtail!
I use a quick rack on my hardtail with panniers. Did King Alfred's Way last week and Badger Divide last year with no issues. Have used on my gravel bike as well. I have it fixed to my stanchions. I bought a couple of extra lever things for the panniers to hold in place more securely.
TBH when I used to commute , I’d pretty much leave trousers and shoes at the office and just either chuck a weeks pants and shirts tops in a topeak front loader handlebar bag on one day.
I’ve used panniers but don’t think they are always the solution as they just encourage you to carry the kitchen sink and are meh 🙂
TBH when I used to commute , I’d pretty much leave trousers and shoes at the office and just either chuck a weeks pants and shirts tops in a topeak front loader handlebar bag on one day.
I’ve used panniers but don’t think they are always the solution as they just encourage you to carry the kitchen sink and are meh 🙂
If I were there frequently enough to have office trousers and shoes I too would do the same! I've been pretty light on what I take though - laptop/mouse/headphones, clothes, towel and shower gel and my lock. That's it! I did squeaze them all into a single pannier but will be using a pair in future
I looked at them again. Didn't clock they were full suss compatible.
What have you done?!
LOL... It really is well designed and manufactured kit. Our household now has their Aeropack, 10 and 22 litre paniers, 5 litre fork packs, toptube packs, etc. And I just bought one of their framepacks for my upcoming, lightweight but long, LEJOG 🙂
One of the best things about their kit, is that it's quiet... no rattles at all. I hate rattles!
I think their kit is stuff you begrudge handing over the readies but once you’ve got and used it, you’ll love it.
towel and shower gel,
don’t forget you can use one of the camping/decathlon, microfibre towels 🙂
I use that Topeak thing on my Levo. Small frame so the top bag touches my arse annoying but only just. Solid enough though but needs a decent mudguard really. But then I guess it is the wrong bike for winter commuting. For the real bike I use a Carradice SQR mounted bag. Bomb proof .
I've got a couple of Ortlieb quick racks - an older one that I use on a gravel bike and has been great for commuting and a couple of basic mid size Ortlieb panniers. This rack wouldn't clear the 29 tyres on my Sonder Signal so I bought an XL quickrack andf I've the 6mm thru-axle arriving today. I'll let you know how it goes.
