tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post1318324570002779969..comments2024-03-29T04:01:31.445-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Is Uneven Pannier Load Problematic?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83006338290009965352015-11-09T20:43:00.741-05:002015-11-09T20:43:00.741-05:00You are the David Sedaris of cycling. You are the David Sedaris of cycling. Laural Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16092754304917730852015-05-22T16:09:09.934-04:002015-05-22T16:09:09.934-04:00I've been using a rucksack strapped to my rack...I've been using a rucksack strapped to my rack which is starting to annoy me, so was thinking about buying a pannier -- but I've not yet been in a situation where I would need two... So if I just get one, which side is better to put it on? Walking isn't an issue as I rarely ever walk the bike and it's got one of those centrally mounted kickstands on the hub of the rear wheel so it doesn't lean on the stand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49917052291672093462015-01-16T09:23:14.186-05:002015-01-16T09:23:14.186-05:00I'm a bit late to the game here, but since no ...I'm a bit late to the game here, but since no one else mentioned it, I figure I would.<br /><br />I use an Arkel "Utility Basket" pannier bag. It's really decent for work commuting, as it's just a huge rectangular bag that is big enough for everything I need for work. I've got two of them, however since each one is large enough to completely hold a paper grocery sack, it's rather rare for me to need both for work, so I usually only bring one, only bringing the second if I need to run errands after work. It's a good bit faster not having the added wind resistance. Even with 20 lbs of whatever in just one pannier, I don't notice it while I ride. The bike leans slightly to the other side to balance, but I don't notice it much at all.<br /><br />Now, however, I ABSOLUTELY notice the unbalanced load when riding in snow and ice. If my bike is perfectly balanced, I can stay upright on slick surfaces pretty well, even without my studded tires (which I try to avoid using, they're soooo slow). If I have a load in a single pannier on just one side as soon as I hit a slick spot the rear wheel kicks out to the side. An unbalanced load makes it nearly impossible to ride in slick snow/ice. On dry pavement (or even just wet pavement) it's no issue at all, but on ice, forget it. I ride with both panniers in icy conditions to allow me to balance the load.dwinks616https://www.blogger.com/profile/06587214262149789922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70855058486554599282014-10-22T17:43:50.942-04:002014-10-22T17:43:50.942-04:00I guess that my situation is fairly typical of the...I guess that my situation is fairly typical of the imbalanced loads we're discussing here, in that my groceries significantly outweigh my bicycle, and my body significantly outweighs my groceries. When this is the case it seems pretty intuitive that the imbalance should be much more noticeable when the bike is walked as opposed to ridden.<br /><br />It was previously mentioned that the imbalance is more noticeable when riding out of the saddle - unless you have unusually strong and stiff limbs, taking your butt off the seat essentially disconnects your body weight from the bike frame so far as lateral forces are concerned, so the imbalancing effect is again more noticeable, similar to when the bike is being walked.<br /><br />Please note I'm only talking about loads on the rear here, I've very little experience with loads on the handlebars/forks. Front loading of any significant weight seems pretty scary to me, particularly swinging grocery bags - when I see others riding with such I fear for their safety.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10287109417977092343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12070027190473397212014-10-19T19:12:48.981-04:002014-10-19T19:12:48.981-04:00my utilitarian *moving average* is in the low 20s ...my utilitarian *moving average* is in the low 20s on my european city bike. i tried riding with a rack and panniers and absolutely hated the way the bike slid out while cornering. i use 15-30 liter backpacks and have no problem carrying a full case of wine home in my largest bag.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4955718484028051972014-10-17T21:48:02.757-04:002014-10-17T21:48:02.757-04:00I can't imagine that 10-25 lbs of weight diffe...I can't imagine that 10-25 lbs of weight differential could have all that much impact on a bicycle frame compared to the loads of rider weight and pedaling forces. Possibly it could affect a lightweight (flimsy) rack if you repeatedly hang a bag off one side only, but the rear triangle of a bicycle itself will handle the powerful assymetrical pull of the drivetrain for thousands and thousands of miles without a problem, I can't see how a laptop bag could bother it. <br />I tend to put stuff in a front basket or on top of the rack myself, but that's because my giant sasquatch feet tend to give me a massive heel strike problem on all but the most spacious of setups. Matt DeBlasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17666227904684289223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45965723313293344762014-10-16T15:24:21.214-04:002014-10-16T15:24:21.214-04:00You actually could portage a 350lb. motorcycle wit...You actually could portage a 350lb. motorcycle with an Xtra Sidecar, but not a BMW. Everyone knows they add 200lbs. of Magic into each one. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9552595412587848692014-10-16T13:39:10.245-04:002014-10-16T13:39:10.245-04:00I now, I know. Next time I tell this story, it sha...I now, I know. Next time I tell this story, it shall be a houseboat.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59838700263901501672014-10-16T13:28:43.501-04:002014-10-16T13:28:43.501-04:00(same quote as spin but too lazy to c/p)
So, the ...(same quote as spin but too lazy to c/p)<br /><br />So, the one oppty. to document an epic portage gave way to innumerable, dainty snaps of laptop bags (I can carry a MacBook Air!!!). <br /><br />Your priorities definitely got scrambled on that one, not to mention you never mentioned it in numerous Xtracycle postings and thousands of words. Now? Really?GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80691634102855066782014-10-16T10:15:02.198-04:002014-10-16T10:15:02.198-04:00(C) Patterns of gender-specific-splaining send a l...(C) Patterns of gender-specific-splaining send a lot of “advice" in your general direction.<br /><br />Though I did have some random guy remark on my cadence once on one of those Massbike summer rides. “Excuse me, I felt like mashing for a bit, I’ll return to 81rpm when I feel like it. It’s part of my bone mass therapy, twig-legs.” (no, I did not say that out loud)dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69287561274536208482014-10-16T06:01:51.525-04:002014-10-16T06:01:51.525-04:00I'm thinking
(A) you look more badass than I ...I'm thinking<br /><br />(A) you look more badass than I do<br /><br />(B) you live in an area with a milder concentration of persons prone to approaching strangers with unsolicited adviceVelouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11461990286262181472014-10-16T02:11:14.813-04:002014-10-16T02:11:14.813-04:00I too have never really noticed an offset weight c...I too have never really noticed an offset weight causing any problems when riding.<br /><br />The problem I have us that since I've ridden with a single pannier so much, one side is a much darker shade of color now.<br /><br />Maybe I should wash it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15478604675798418972014-10-15T21:29:47.135-04:002014-10-15T21:29:47.135-04:00Assuming that you are not in fact Mike "The B...Assuming that you are not in fact Mike "The Bike" Hailwood speaking from the grave, I warn you that if you are going to use that name, and don't let me stop you, you had better not be attempting irony. You need to be flinging that kitty litter laden Raleigh at the scenery at some frankly unfeasable speeds, coasting some hairy mountain roads with both tires sliding, your back flat and your inside knee dragging before stepping off at the bottom to perform astounding feats of drunken-ness and debauchery. It is a fearsome responsibility to live up to that name, more than I would attempt.<br /><br />Do it justice. <br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81768449675157174162014-10-15T21:11:54.403-04:002014-10-15T21:11:54.403-04:00"Sadly, this glorious portage went entirely u..."Sadly, this glorious portage went entirely un-photodocumented."<br /><br />You realize that by documenting that event with a camera you would have prevented it from ever reaching it's theoretical potential. That fact that there is no limiting documentary evidence allows that bicycle/load combination to grow and expand to whatever the limits of the listeners willingness to believe are. <br /><br />I contend that without people who are willing to act on the assurance that certain incredible feats are in fact credible, within the grasp of persons willing to over-ride received wisdom and common sense, than we will never know what we as a species are truly capable of. <br /><br />For example, if you tell enough friends that you portaged a 750cc BMW motorcycle on that Extra-cycle, the vast majority would think you were... A) Drinking,<br /> B) Unfamiliar with Motorbikes in general and BMWs in particular,<br /> or C) Likely to have your undergarments burst into flames.<br /> But, and this is a very BIG but, one or two of those people might BELIEVE you and one day attempt the same feat AND SUCCEED! How cool would that be? Your former fib would now be validated as truth and the manifest of amazing human capabilities would be one entry longer! A great service to Humankind accomplished BY YOU with no uncomfortable physical effort on your part! Now, in the future cargo bicycles would be seen to be even more useful than previously thought and any Bullshit you feel inclined to spread will be greeted with at least a smidgeon of strained credulity. A useful thing in this complicated world. <br /><br />No, you have done a fine thing by leaving the Minox at home that day and deciding to ferry that Motorbike home via pedal power.<br /><br /> Brava! <br /><br />Spindizzy<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9812424677556343592014-10-15T19:51:34.431-04:002014-10-15T19:51:34.431-04:00Funny, in all my years of transportation cycling a...Funny, in all my years of transportation cycling and, especially, carrying unbalanced loads in my panniers I've never once been asked questions about balance or potential frame damage. I mean maybe a hundred thousand miles in cities and towns on the west coast, east coast, and now the midwest. Is it because I'm not cute with a cool bike? Why would no one speak up out of concern for my safety or that of my bike's? Dunno….Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12315202659664326882014-10-15T12:35:46.156-04:002014-10-15T12:35:46.156-04:00I'm inclined to think this is more a matter of...I'm inclined to think this is more a matter of upsetting one's delicate aesthetic sensibilities with asymmetry than any real imbalance, particularly with short urban trips. It's a little like men's dress shirts: why one chest pocket, and why only on the left side? What about the lefties among us?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52782187196891426732014-10-15T11:42:23.657-04:002014-10-15T11:42:23.657-04:00It's your life, it's your bike…Just sayin&...It's your life, it's your bike…Just sayin' I don't enjoy falling off my bike and the only accidents I know could have been avoided where those where I tried to transport items in a bag from my handlebars. Strangely, it's eerily easy to unclip when something unexpected comes up, but instincts, for me, fail with dangling items. YMMV...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21397108647629212482014-10-15T09:38:13.751-04:002014-10-15T09:38:13.751-04:00On the Minuteman Trail, some time in the last days...On the Minuteman Trail, some time in the last days of September, a bearded man on a befendered roadbike actually shook his head at me, as he said, with a mixture of sadness and disapproval, "You should really distribute the weight in your panniers evenly." I smiled and gave him a thumbs up, as the glorious autumn sun bathed us in its dappled golden light...Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91045069696278443452014-10-15T09:26:14.142-04:002014-10-15T09:26:14.142-04:00Ah Xtracycle shrubbery.
During my short lived own...Ah Xtracycle shrubbery.<br /><br />During my short lived ownership of an Xtracycle Radish, I once carried a 50lb-ish roadster bicycle on one side. The Xtra was so difficult to roll thus laden, I thought surely it would never work. But once I took off, it was totally fine the entire 9 miles home, except for a bit of heel strike against the front wheel of the roadster (those things are looong). Sadly, this glorious portage went entirely un-photodocumented.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17931163589148012652014-10-15T09:19:30.991-04:002014-10-15T09:19:30.991-04:00Oops :((<a href="http://instagram.com/p/t5P_IpD7go" rel="nofollow">Oops</a> :((Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23823127763625928092014-10-15T09:18:22.144-04:002014-10-15T09:18:22.144-04:00: ): )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51861743756796170492014-10-15T09:16:45.048-04:002014-10-15T09:16:45.048-04:00Those Fly racks are excellent.
I've carried ...Those Fly racks are excellent. <br /><br />I've carried bags of potatoes and similar on the left handlebar of my Seven on the last mile home after road rides. Steering feels heavy, but otherwise not too bad. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79059221146239604552014-10-15T08:38:06.501-04:002014-10-15T08:38:06.501-04:00I was a bit confused when I got a single (super cu...I was a bit confused when I got a single (super cute) pannier tote for Christmas. Happy to report it works fine! Though I have found that I can take care of the imbalance issues when walking the bike and dismounting by just mounting the pannier on the right side - that helps a ton.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12997147926512401124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81883646888250307782014-10-15T06:31:35.813-04:002014-10-15T06:31:35.813-04:00It's probably because I'm small (like 100 ...It's probably because I'm small (like 100 lb small) but I always feel imbalanced when I'm carring much weight in pannier bags.bernsteincarterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05179032280008254989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40049939748693660532014-10-14T21:19:13.575-04:002014-10-14T21:19:13.575-04:00Great! Now I can stop arranging and rearranging th...Great! Now I can stop arranging and rearranging the groceries in my panniers in an attempt to keep them balanced! <br />I've only experienced changes in the handling when I have too much in either the front or back. Still trying to figure the optimal balance.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377222281857534noreply@blogger.com