Pannier rack adaptors for frame with no mounts

Hi all,

I'm cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End this summer, meaning I need a bloody rear pannier rack. The problem is I don't have any pannier rack mounts on my 90s Bianchi road bike. Can anyone recommend any decent adaptors that will be strong and won't damage the frame???

(I've looked into seatpost mounted racks, but they can't carry much and have a reputation for swinging about).

Cheers

Here's the frame btw (sorry about pic quality, you can't even see all of it):

how much weight will you be carrying?

p-clips or a bob yak would be my first thought

I'd probably be carrying up to 15kg.

I don't really want a trailer either, as they're expensive and really compromise the ride.

I considered p-clips, but where can you get a decent set from? Also, how strong are they?

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/lfgss/product-Blackburn-Blackburn-SX-Seat-Stay-Clips-19736.htm

good enough for commuting, might be more challenging for LEJOG. my gal's just ordered some for her bike, you can ask her in a month or two if you like

Met a pal last night, he's doing LA to JOG this summer too. I'd love to get in on it.

Thanks fred.

..LA to JOG...

that's a lot of swimming

For anyone interested, I found this (Axsium Streamliner Road DLX):

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/racks/rear-racks/streamliner-road-dlx/

It uses the the break caliper hole and the quick release skewer to mount. Pretty snazy design. It also takes a pretty impressive 50kg!

Problem is, it's not available in the UK any longer. Chainreactioncycles used to sell it, but now they're out of stock. Only option is to import from the States I think.

Has anyone come across this lately???

• Sorry, it's Axiom, not Axsium.
  

I've used a rack that mounts to the brake bolt like that one above. It was ok with a light load, but felt like it swung around a lot when carrying a heavy load - I wouldn't want to cycle 1000 miles like that. The axiom might not be as bad though, I've never tried it.

Tubus do something similar,

I fixed these to my bike after Mercian forgot to braze rear mounts on:-

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Tubus-Tubus-Clamp-Set--Rack-Eyes-for-Seat-Stay-Mounting-12723.htm

They do, but it gets expensive as you need to buy all the bits separately.

With regards to finding an alternative to the the caliper brake design, I found this one:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/24948/Axiom_Streamliner_Pannier_Rack

It still attaches to the quick release skewer at the base, but at the top you can use some p-clips. I think this would make it much sturdier.

Right?

thoughts:

they make axle mounded racks as posted above. If you don't like the brake mount then you can use some alternative for the top. That doesn't change the fact that for the bottom, the axle mount is still your best bet if you aren't going to weld the frame.

if i really needed to have secure mounts i'd have some eyelets welded on to the dropout.

they also manufacture tings like dis, which can be an alternative to the brake mount or the p-clamps, but they can force you to raise your rack to lofty heights. annoying.

the last thing i'd use are p-clamps for any of the mounts.

all in all, i'd just have a frame builder weld some eyelets on for the price of lunch. If i wasn't welding i'd use the streamliner posted above. I doubt it's going to swing much when securely fixed by the axle.

I have the tubus. You can either buy a disco, which is the disc brake specific rack with lower legs that curve round the caliper, or the QR axle mount seperately, and use any tubus rack (or any rack at all, most probably) with it. If you google tubus, and look for the QR kit as an accessory, that should be all you need for the axle parts. Even includes a longer skewer (longer to fit MTB hubs and rack, that is). Still need P clips for the upper end.

normal topeak frame + p clips = win

oh yea... this is truly important. With a frame like the bianchi, you'll be very prone to hitting your heels on the bags.

If you look at the Charge above, you can see the the rider is very close to hitting (if not close to, actually is hitting) their heels on the the panniers with each pedal stroke.

If yo use the axle mounted rack, it places the panniers number of inches farther back, helping to avoid this kind of thing.

there are other racks that specifically claim to place the bags farther back from the pedal stroke, helping to avoid this.

add that to my list of thoughts.

i've tried adding panniers to a bike the wasn't meant to have a rack , and it just failed all over the place.

looked ok standing still, but functionally it was a mess.

Thanks for all the advice. At the moment I'm most inclined to import an Axiom Streamliner Road DLX from the States. It's pretty cheap, seems reasonably sturdy and gives good heel clearance, which jersey rightly pointed out.

Just wondering, is anyone selling something similar atm?

Just came across this from Poste Moderne

That could be a godsend Moonboy, had no idea thet were around Cheers

Check out old man mountain racks - they are awesome.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/

For anyone interested, I found this (Axsium Streamliner Road DLX):

Has anyone come across this lately???

I ordered one on the weekend. I'll post again when I've had the chance to try it out.
http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/77/171379/axiom-streamliner-rack.html

So I just used the Axiom Streamliner for London to Paris. Only 3 days so pretty light load, one pannier and a top bag.
It went really well, sat back far enough on the racing frame so I didn't clip my heels. At one point my wheel did get pulled forward on one side in the drop out, I suspect this was because I didn't have the QR tight enough. It was easily fixed by unloading pulling the wheel back into place and then doing a better job tightening.

Really good product for the money and no modifications to the bike necessary.

good to hear - I am thinking of picking one up for a 5 day tour in the Alps