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Hi all. I started using panniers for my commute into work this year and the rack is already showing signs of wear. Is this normal? Anything I can do to stop it? (Wrap the offending areas with helicopter tape?)
Using Ortlieb panniers and an alu Tortec rack.
Thanks!
Happened to me too. Dunno if there is an official solution or just time.for a bodge.
wear in what way ?
our stainless racks on the touring bikes show polishing where the panniers have been sat - they have been used for maybe 10 years or so.
the aluminum rack i used on my commuter - similar age , similar style of wear where the bronzey annodising has worn off , no measurable material thickness removed - just looks a whole lot more unsightly than the polishing on the touring bikes.
If you have Ortlieb panniers, the hooks should have little plastic inserts that can be changed for use with different tubing thicknesses. They have a tendency to fall out which makes the panniers rattle on the rack and increase the likelyhood of wear/damage. Check they are still there and they are correctly sized for your rack. You can also use some thin rubber tubing, cut lengthways (or an old inner tube) and taped over the pannier rail to prevent any further damage.
Happened with mine. Main wear was from the lower hook on the ortlieb. Â Worse with alloy racks. I just covered with electrical tape to slow the wear down.
Tubus used to sell protective tape to counter this problem, I believe. Less of an issue on stainless racks, but the pannier fittings do grind things away over time.