Panniers on a mountain bike??

[LisaS]

I enjoy bike packing on dirt roads and have used a BOB trailer. I have also tried a beam rack with gear on that, plus a backpack. I would really like to try using panniers instead, since this might make my bike more stable/comfortable than the beam rack and backpack combo. I recently tried the new Thule rack designed for full suspension bikes, but my bike frame was too small and my heels were hitting the panniers. Is there a good system for panniers on a smaller full suspension bike? Anyone had luck using panniers on a hard tail mt bike?
Thanks,  Lisa

[MidSouth]

Take a look at the Old Man Mountain racks.  I have used the Sherpa on my 29er.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RearRacks.html

[dadana]

Look at the Arkel XM Panniers. They are high and narrow for extra heel clearance. Perfect for a mountain bike and they are really well made.

[landel]

I've used a Topeak Super Tourist disc specific rack on my hardtail and it worked fine for dirt type tracks.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-super-tourist-dx-fdisc-rear-rack/

A rack specific seat collar was needed as I didn't have suitable attachment points. The rails on the rack that connect to the seat collar are flexible and give a good adjustable extension to allow for heel clearance. I'm 5' 7" and the frameis is small (16").

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/gear/product/giant.seat.collar.with.rack.mount.non.quick.release/592/39115/

Cheers,
Liam.

[Smo]

I've had good luck with a topeak rack (the explorer 29er disc) and some MYOG panniers.  The panniers have a foam pad in them and straps to secure them down to the rack.

My recommendation, regardless of which rack or panniers you use, is to get different bolts.  I've never bought a rack that came with bolts worth using.  Your bolts should be:

1) stainless steel
2) long enough to extend at least a little bit past the frame
3) long enough to add locknuts if you can fit them in there (I have a nut on my non-drive side, there's no room on the drive side.  I use lock washers (split washers) on the drive side instead)

The most likely mode of failure for a rack is for the bolt to shear between the rack and the frame.  If you use the stock bolts, which are usually flush, you'll be left with a plug of metal in your eyelet, not field repairable.  If your bolts are just a little bit longer you can go at them with a leatherman and replace them yourself, without needing to drill them out.

I would also bring an extra p-clip (find in the electrical section of the hardware store), bolt and nut in case one of your seatstay bolts shears.

[wahday]

I also own the Thule rack and had the same issue. You can buy rail extenders if you have that version (forget what it's called -not the Sport version) and that allows you to scoot the panniers further back. They basically screw on to the existing rails. That did the trick for me.

Otherwise I also have an OMM for my 26" and it's an impressive bit of engineering. It's the through axle one which clears my disc brakes. Super solid. They come up periodically on eBay. Got mine for $50 plus shippng.

[Done]

Another vote for Old Man Mountain racks. Rumor on the street is that they also have great customer service if you have issues.

[offroute]

Anyone had luck using panniers on a hard tail mt bike?

Definitely. Blackburn and OMM racks and Ortleib bags. Yes you likely will have to get creative to fit a smaller bike. On my wife's, I attached the upper stays to the seat post by drilling a hole and running a bolt through. This helped eliminate heel strikes, and she has huge feet for her small size.

There was an Aussie company making FS specific racks which was bought by a big company recently, Topeak I think. There was chatter on MTBR about it. Sorry I don't recall the specifics, but a couple users chimed in to herald the system. Do a little digging, you'll find it.

[jhl99]

Anyone had luck using panniers on a hard tail mt bike?

Welcome to the Old School!

Here is a friend's small cross bike with a rear rack:



I've been using racks/low riders for a long time.  The lower the load, the better the bike handling seems to be.

My typical setup is to user front rack or low riders with panniers with stuff on top of the rear rack.  I also run a small pannier that is permanently attached to the rear rack for tools/tube and a place for stuff needed for short rides.

** large piles of stuff on the rear rack, out of sight, out of mind.... never really notice 

Older Cannondale Hardtail  with front & rear racks.  (front rack required a custom mounting at the fork crown)  The Headshock (Fatty) is obsolete, but was a good design for mounting front racks/low riders.



Small front panniers, small rear




Rigid bike setup with low riders.  Low riders are great for roads and dirt roads... not so good in low brush, rock gardens or stream crossings.



Front rack setup

[PeteStaehling]

It depends to a large extent on how much you want/need to carry.  A few solutions are:
1. Panniers on front, and the remaining gear on the top of the rear rack or strapped behind the saddle.
2. Small narrow rear panniers.
3. Stuff sacks strapped on where ever you can fit them, on the rack, behind the saddle, under the bars, etc.
4. Bikepacking style bags.

Any of those can be supplemented with a small and lightly loaded backpack.  

The baggage choices get way more easy and flexible when you pack lighter and lighter.  I have found it pretty liberating to have only a very small amount of gear.

[chrisx]

I recently tried the new Thule rack designed for full suspension bikes,  Is there a good system for panniers on a smaller full suspension bike?
Thanks,  Lisa

Might have to sew your own bag.  I have never seen panniers on a full suspension bike.  Have you tried a bag strapped to your handlebar, and-or a frame bag?
there is a make your own gear thread here.