Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

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Jancathy
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jancathy »

I have looked where the wires come from. They come out by the middle near the pedals and go straight up the underside of mudguards which are attached under the lock as well as the ends and top brackets. I will attempt to post some pics of bag and cycle.
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Jancathy
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jancathy »

One last picture to show type of brackets. Thanks
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DaveP
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by DaveP »

I hadn't heard of Racktime before, but having seen the video I can understand the attraction. It comes from a reputable company, Tubus so the rack you have bought should be an improvement on the original. It looks as if the rack itself will be easy to install but there might need to be a little metal bending and drilling to support the mudguard. Straightforward if you know how, otherweise, had you considered asking a local bikeshop to fit it for you? Shouldn't be an enormous bill!
Trying to retain enough fitness to grow old disgracefully... That hasn't changed!
fivebikes
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by fivebikes »

Further to my last post about the wiring in the mudguard.....Is the light integral to the ‘guard? The long thin strip low down on the mudguard blade. If so is that a reflector on the rack itself? Removing the rack won’t affect the light if that’s the case. I can’t work out what is supporting the rack at it forward end. It looks like it bears down on the mudguard itself?
A more conventional rack might be easier to attach at its forward point if you use something like this:
https://www.condorcycles.com/products/s ... eid=196673
That way there won’t be the need to bend the rack arms down to the mounting points on the frame itself.
slowster
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by slowster »

I agree with DaveP that the Racktime rack will be a much better product than your current rack. (Racktime are a sister company of Tubus, who make the best bike racks full stop, i.e. the ones people choose for heavily loaded cycle camping and round the world tours. Tubus racks are steel, and they set up Racktime to make a similar range of racks in aluminium with features like the SnapIt). Once installed I don't doubt it will be a very nice set-up to use with the Vaude bag.

However, I am somewhat sceptical about getting a local bike shop to fit the rack. I suspect the bill would be higher than I would be happy to pay, because it will probably be a fiddly task and potentially very time consuming, especially so if the shop lacks the right tools, spares and familiarity with that type of task and the components. A shop that specialised in e-bikes and was familiar with making modifications to the rear lights and their connections and which stocked Tubus racks would possibly do the job well and quickly. I suspect too many average local bike shops would be likely to take too long (=excessive labour charge), and would bodge it, because they would not have the necessary components and familiarity with the task.

I suspect that to fit the rack it will be necessary to purchase:

1. The Tubus Mudguard Holder, unless you are lucky and the existing bracket joining the mudguard to the rack can not only be re-used but will be in the correct position for the Racktime rack (unlikely).

2. Extra long Tubus Roundstays. I am fairly sure Racktime use the Tubus Roundstays. A longer Roundstay than is typically supplied with the rack will make it much easier to put one or two bends in the Roundstay to route it around the lock.

3. Alternatively or possibly in addition to the longer Roundstays, a seatclamp with integral rack mounting points. This would be my preferred option, because they are easy to fit and work well (no noticeable lack of rigidity with a Tubus rack for example). However, you would need to get the correct size, and I think the two sizes in the link above to the one sold by Condor would be the wrong size. SJS sell four sizes here. Those sizes correspond to the external diameter of the seat tube, and you would need to check the external diameter of your seat tube where the curent clamp attaches. Unfortunately the 29.8mm is out of stock at SJS and the UK distributor, and I suspect that might be the size you need. However, SJS do have 30.0mm in stock in another brand, and that would probably also fit. The Roundstays supplied with the Racktime rack may be too short to reach the clamp, so you might still find that you need to buy longer ones.

Another issue will also be whether the existing cable to the rear light (assuming it is the unit on the rack, and that what is on the mudguard is only a reflector) is long enough to allow the light be fitted to the Racktime rack. If it's too short, you will either need to splice and extend the cable, or fit a stand alone battery light in its place.

Before doing anything else, I suggest you wait until you receive the new rack. When you get it, offer it up to the bike and see how it is likely to fit compared with the existing rack, e.g. are the supplied Roundstays long enough and how close is the plate on the rack for the rear light to the position where the rear light is on your existing rack*.

* Hold the new rack alongside the existing rack, with the mounting holes at the bottom of the rack aligned with the bolts securing the existing rack. Make sure the top of the rack is level. Compare the relative positions of the existing rack's light and the corresponding plate on the new rack.
Jancathy
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jancathy »

Hi
This all makes interesting reading, though slightly daunting. I am hoping when the rack comes, my handy hubby may take on the challenge!
The reflector is on the existing rack but the light is on the mudguard.
Having spent a lot of time examining where things are joined etc, I can see that it will be labour intensive so costly.
Last week I contacted Ridgeback and they replied today. They say that it is possible to fit a racktime instead but I would need a new mudguard as well. There was no explanation as to why I would need a new mudguard.
The rack should be here tomorrow so watch this space!
slowster
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by slowster »

Jancathy wrote:The reflector is on the existing rack but the light is on the mudguard.

So the long red strip on the mudguard is the light, and the unit bolted to the rear of the rack is just a reflector? That makes things much simpler.

Jancathy wrote:They say that it is possible to fit a racktime instead but I would need a new mudguard as well. There was no explanation as to why I would need a new mudguard.

They are saying that because the mudguard is held in place by its fastenings to the rack, and most racks do not usually have the mudguard fastened to them (or even the option of doing so). So they mean an ordinary rear mudguard with its own stays to support it would be necessary, e.g. like those in the photograph below.

However, Tubus and Racktime racks usually have a plate on the rear on which a light can be mounted, in the same manner the reflector is mounted on your existing rack. The Tubus Mudguard Holder to which I have linked enables you to bolt the mudguard to the Tubus/Racktime rack, which means you can use the existing mudguard.

The Mudguard Holder is only a simple steel bracket with two holes 50mm apart which correspond to the spacing on the rack, so your husband might be able to make or adapt a similar bracket. I've just noticed that Spa also now have them in stock (£6 plus £4 delivery). Wait till you get the rack and see if you will need the longer Roundstays. If you do, then you could buy them from Spa together with the Tubus Mudguard Holder for just one delivery charge. Spa stock both the 240mm and 350mm longer lengths.

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slowster
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by slowster »

Spa also sell the seat post clamp with rack mounts, but not in the 29.8mm/30.0mm diameter size. As I said, one of those probably would make fitting the rack a bit easier, but you or your husband will need to remove the existing clamp to see what size that is.

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m5b0s215p3695/SPA-CYCLES-Seat-post-clamp-with-rack-mounts
landsurfer
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by landsurfer »

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Jancathy
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jancathy »

I am starting to feel more positive about the job, due to all you clever people. Now I have started - I will have to finish. It’s strange how one can get fixated on an idea, or is that just me?
This is a brilliant forum, especially for those wanting to learn. Thanks a lot
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DaveP
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by DaveP »

If you have a spare pair of hands to hand you should be fine. I assumed that you were single handed, a condition which I have always found to make taking your bike apart a little more intense.
While you're waiting for the rack to arrive there is another option that you could consider, namely, ditching that lock if it comes off cleanly...
Yes, I know it's a new bike, and not a cheap one and chucking bits away might seem like a strange thing to do - but it's not a very useful accessory. I wouldn't leave a bike unattended secured only by one of those. It wouldn't stop someone picking the bike up and tossing it in a handy van! Given the current demand for bikes and ebikes in particular you really need to use a good quality lock to attach it to something substantial even for a short stop, and if you are going to carry one of those then you don't need the fitted lock, and as that impedes the most straightforward manner of mounting a rack...
Something to think about - bike security I mean!

As for the mudguard, something like this may also helping by allowing you to "move" its attachment point to somewhere that suits the rack once its completely fitted.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mudguards/3 ... idge-each/
Trying to retain enough fitness to grow old disgracefully... That hasn't changed!
Jancathy
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jancathy »

Hi again
Yes I agree about the lock. I have purchased a gold rated hip lock set. It’s the U lock, chain and z lock so I am now covered by my insurance should it get stolen when I am in a busier place than I normally am. Although pricey, I thought it was worth paying out on security. I can’t see that the fitted lock will have much use, to be fair - just came with the bike. It’s a shame that we have to be so security conscious these days. I live out in the sticks and there is still a problem with thieving- sad really.
Jdsk
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jdsk »

I'm a bit lost: do you now have the original rack and the bag you like? And you're waiting for the new rack?

Jonathan
Jancathy
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Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Post by Jancathy »

Yes, I have the bag but am waiting for the rack to come. It was despatched a few days ago but hasn t yet arrived to DPD for delivery to me. I wish it would hurry up as I want to get on with it. Yesterday when I was out, my silkroad bag which is kept on the bike with Velcro straps, slipped to the side. I did have it full but this hasn’t happened before. Anyway, I was on a quiet road and no harm done. So, this makes me more keen to change rack.
Once it comes, I can order the bits I need. I wish I could get them now as everything is getting in short supply but I don’t know what size stays I will need until I get the rack. It makes sense to order everything at once to save on carriage.
Jane
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