Road bike and Pannier racks...........

mosc7pc2

Hi, I am going to Isle of Man for a month, been thinking about cycling to one of the ports to take the ferry (60m) but the trouble is my bike (Charge Juicer Hi) doesn't have the mounting bracket for "proper panniers racks" and I don't want to go down the route of seat post mounted racks. Now I am thinking of using P clips to get around the problem.

So I have two questions to ask:

1) Since my bike seems to be designed as a out and out road bike, is it a good idea to put an extra 15-20kg load at the back wheel? Would it make it rear wheel much more prone to punctures?

2) The Charge Juicer's frame, although made out of steel, is very very thin, do you guys think putting extra load on it would make it a recipe for disaster?

Here's a little bit about my bike since it's not very well known:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-juicer-hi-2010

Going away in a week so would appreciate any advise given!

Thanks!!

t5nel

I would be a bit worried...but it will depend on your weight, the weight of the load, the road surface and speed/distance you are riding laden.

The frame designers will not necessarily have considered the point loads that you will be placing on the bike. If I was going to do it I would try and place the clips carefully and try a few test rides increasing the load. I guess you need to decide whether to take the risk or not. The absence of the threads themselves does not mean that the bike can not take them - it may just reflect the stlye of the bike

I did this on a light taperwall butted alu MTB with those clips and it was fine but the frame was a completely different beast to yours

How heavy are you? If you are a 120kg ox or a 55kg whippet it will make quite a difference and may allow plenty of margin for the weight.

Tim