Some help needed! (Pannier rack)

easywheeler

So, I have been looking at buying some mudgaurds recently as the British weather is so unpredictable.

However I have come across the Topeak Touriest Pannier Rack which has a built in mudguard. As I will eventually buy a pannier rack I was thinking that this would in the long run save money.

However does anyone know if the Topeal tourist rack is any good?!
http://www.extrauk.co.uk/product/detail ... acks/5038/

Does the built in mudguard work effectively or is it just gimmicky?!

Also I think it was reviewed in the June/July bicycle buyer but I have not got it, does anyone know what they made of it?!

Any feedback appreciated!

Agent57

That just looks like any old rack to me. I haven't seen a rack without a solid plate for ages. I reckon it'll keep a bit of spray off your back, but it's not going to be as effective as a proper full guard, and probably won't do a lot to keep the downtube and front derailleur crud-free.

Jamey

Get a separate mudguard, that one looks like it'll be worse than a clip-on (ie seat-post mounted) mudguard and clip-ons are rubbish anyway.

A mudguard needs to be close to the tyre (~1cm) to be really effective and it should curve around half (or more) of the circumference at the back and maybe a third of the circumference at the front, but with more of a bias to being low down on the rear side of the front wheel to catch as much as possible of the stuff that would otherwise be destined for the chain/BB/crank area.

But forget everything I've just said and buy SKS Chromoplastic guards because they do all of that anyway. As long as you've got full fittings they're the best around.

easywheeler

Hmmmmmm

Thanks for the advice.

I was actually thinking of buying the SKS Chromoplastic guards so I may go for them and then just buy a rack when I actually will get some use out of it.

davmaggs

My pannier rack is intended for commuting so I wanted something light and fairly sleek

Yesterday I fitted the Tortec Velocity slimline and it fits over the top of full SKS guards. It can hold a pannier on each side nice and is nice and close to the wheels, but it isn't intended to have anything rest on top of it. It feel very light, but doesn't cost a mint.

The fit with the SKS guard is snug and it took a little fiddling about (no cutting required) to line everything up right and to avoid the guard being pushed onto the tyre.

All in all I've very pleased.

daniel_b

I have two of those in my hosuehold, never bought them because, or saw them sold as including a mudguard though.

I think you'll find it's just the design, or someone making a description up somewhere.....

I run both of the bikes with these on also with full SKS guards.

On the one time I moved this across to my gf's mudguardless Trek, and we rode to Bath, I can tell you the rack certainly does not act in anyway as a mudguard.....

Dan

salsajake

I have a Blackburn expedition rack, came with my Co-Pilot Limo child seat and I leave it on (I use a pannier 2-3 times a week on the commute too, but as little as possible because the bag weighs about a kilo!)

When it rains, I attach a supermarket carrier bag by tying one handle to the back corner and the other to the front opposite corner, then stretch it over the rack.. Result, completely dry back and arse however wet the roads are, zero cost and weight negligeble, negligable, negligible, very little.

Dudu

Most racks offer some weather protection, but only to the rider. They're anti-social to any cyclist behind, which is why touring and Audax organisers often insist on riders having real mudguards.

If you want to avoid the brown stripe up the bum, buy this rack. If you want to remain friends with anyone else you ride with in bad weather, get proper mudguards.

salsajake

Racks aren't any more anti social to cyclists behind than no rack/mudguard. I don't ride with others, so if they don't like it, they can flipping well overtake me!