Does a panier rack need to be level?

[roger06]

I've just fitted a rear luggage /panier rack to my Cube eMountain bike.

While it seems OK I'd say it's at least 15 degrees off level, sloping towards the seat.

I've never had a rear rack before so is this going to be a problem?

Thanks

 

[FrankCrank]

Only issue might possibly be heel strike if paniers fitted, but other than that looks good to me.

 

[roger06]

Only issue might possibly be heel strike if paniers fitted, but other than that looks good to me.

Thanks Frank. I might not even use paniers - a rear / tail pack thingy may be sufficient...

 

[Ajax Bay]

Only issue might possibly be heel strike if paniers fitted, but other than that looks good to me.

Actually that slight slope (way less than 15o btw) will have the opposite effect: pannier edge further away from heel.
Loaded panniers on a sloping rack will have higher stresses at the rear top corners.

 

[Cycleops]

Should be perfectly fine as it is. There is usually some adjustment at the front under those screws to fix that, you sure you haven't missed that?

 

[Kingfisher101]

Looks like you have bought the wrong size rack for the bike. It looks like its for a smaller wheel say a 27.5 or something? Mine has a mudguard underneath and still is flat. There's no room under yours which suggests its the wrong size for the bike. The bottom of your rack is actually right on top of the tyre. How are you going to ride it with it rubbing?

 

[Ajax Bay]

It looks like its for a smaller wheel say a 27.5 or something? There's no room under yours which suggests its the wrong size for the bike.

I suspect the issue is that that frame, already a small one, is mixte-like with its toptube-seatstay line which drops the fastening point way lower than normal and forces the slight slope. And the tyres are chunky: 2.6" ones so less room under rack.
As an aside, saddle looks super low too. Maybe OP is not tall: 28" inside leg?

 

[Kingfisher101]

Its the wrong size whatever? I don't see how its going to work with the tyre rubbing on it?. I'd take it off and get a refund and take the bike to a LBS and get one that actually fits.

 

[Spiderweb]

Its the wrong size whatever? I don't see how its going to work with the tyre rubbing on it?. I'd take it off and get a refund and take the bike to a LBS and get one that actually fits.

Definitely not rubbing, it’s the angle of the photo that makes it look that way.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Definitely not rubbing, it’s the angle of the photo that makes it look that way.

If you zoom in its right bang on top of the wheel. There is supposed to be some room for mudguards? The wheel needs to spin round obviously?

 

[presta]

If you zoom in its right bang on top of the wheel.

No it's not, the camera is higher than the plane of the rack top, so the projection of the rack in front of the wheel plane makes the rack overlap the view of the tyre.

 

[roger06]

Looks like you have bought the wrong size rack for the bike. It looks like its for a smaller wheel say a 27.5 or something? Mine has a mudguard underneath and still is flat. There's no room under yours which suggests its the wrong size for the bike. The bottom of your rack is actually right on top of the tyre. How are you going to ride it with it rubbing?

I did wonder about that, but in looking at various racks, none mentioned frame or wheel size. It's probably the photo as there's plenty of clearance between it and tyre - nowhere near rubbing!

 

[roger06]

No it's not, the camera is higher than the plane of the rack top, so the projection of the rack in front of the wheel plane makes the rack overlap the view of the tyre.

Correct.

 

[roger06]

Looks like you have bought the wrong size rack for the bike. It looks like its for a smaller wheel say a 27.5 or something? Mine has a mudguard underneath and still is flat. There's no room under yours which suggests its the wrong size for the bike. The bottom of your rack is actually right on top of the tyre. How are you going to ride it with it rubbing?

 

[MontyVeda]

It'll be fine