Mounting panniers and mudguards on a racing frame

[Holdsworth]

My one and only bike currently is a Holdsworth racer from the early 90s. As you'd expect from a racer, there are no eyelets of any kind on the frame. This has been quite a problem for me as I have the need for panniers and mudguards during my daily commute. Over past few weeks I have tried a couple of DIY mounting systems; mounting through the quick release spindle and also bolts, nuts and washers through a triangle shaped gap near to the dropouts. Neither of these systems have been very successful and I am wondering if I am just wasting my time trying to use the bike for something it was never meant for?

I have seen products like this one from SJS for the purpose of creating eyelets http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tubus-adapter-set-for-quick-release-axle-mounting-prod13340/ , but would it be worth it?

I would also need some kind of mounting for the front forks for my mudguard, which is currently held on my by a screw in small hole in the frame. I did try a plastic clip but there was never enough space between the forks and the spokes for one so the screw was the only option at the time.

At the moment I am considering selling the bike, whole or frame only, and use the money to purchase a bike which had touring or commuting in mind (i.e. something with eyelets).

 

[snorri]

I am wondering if I am just wasting my time trying to use the bike for something it was never meant for?

At the moment I am considering selling the bike, whole or frame only, and use the money to purchase a bike which had touring or commuting in mind (i.e. something with eyelets).

Sorry to say, but I think you are wasting your time. It would be a pity to degrade the Holdsworth with panniers and 'guards, and still not have a bike ideal for the job you need it for.

 

[Holdsworth]

So should I sell the thing and buy a used touring bike? If so how much would I get for the bike/frame and what would be the cost of good used tourer, on a tight budget here?

I really like riding the Holdsworth on my daily commute and I am in two minds whether to keep it for recreational riding only and have a tourer for commuting and such. Again budget is an issue and I am not sure I could afford a tourer without selling the Holdsworth.

 

[snorri]

Wait for others to comment, don't just take my word for it.

 

[Crankarm]

So should I sell the thing and buy a used touring bike? If so how much would I get for the bike/frame and what would be the cost of good used tourer, on a tight budget here?

I really like riding the Holdsworth on my daily commute and I am in two minds whether to keep it for recreational riding only and have a tourer for commuting and such. Again budget is an issue and I am not sure I could afford a tourer without selling the Holdsworth.

Only you can decide. We don't know your true financial situation or the condition of your Holdsworth race bike. Put the bike on Ebay and see how much you get. Then put this cash toward buying a touring bike eg a Dawes Galaxy.

I essentially agree with the above, you're wasting your time putting rack and panniers on a race bike that was not designed to carry them.

 

[Holdsworth]

O I'm slowly sorting this out in my head. My budget is generally constrained to limits of student EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) so not much as I have other expenses to consider aside from the bike.

My current plans are now to remove the pannier racks from the bike and set it aside for another frame that is suited for it. In the meantime I will buy and use a larger rucksack to carry my stuff to and from college, town etc. I will keep the mudguards as they are an essential item in wet weather but I'll mount them under the quick release clamp, the only issues might be in removing the wheels for a puncture and such. In that case I'll just take the QR spindle out all the way.

Another bike will have to wait as I can't just get rid of my one just yet as I still need it. Christmas should be the time when I will hopefully have enough for a 2nd bike.

 

[jarushby]

O I'm slowly sorting this out in my head. My budget is generally constrained to limits of student EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) so not much as I have other expenses to consider aside from the bike.

My current plans are now to remove the pannier racks from the bike and set it aside for another frame that is suited for it. In the meantime I will buy and use a larger rucksack to carry my stuff to and from college, town etc. I will keep the mudguards as they are an essential item in wet weather but I'll mount them under the quick release clamp, the only issues might be in removing the wheels for a puncture and such. In that case I'll just take the QR spindle out all the way.

Another bike will have to wait as I can't just get rid of my one just yet as I still need it. Christmas should be the time when I will hopefully have enough for a 2nd bike.

Not sure as to your exact requirements but if the load you are carrying is not huge, have you thought about a rack that attached to the seatpost and maybe race-blades or crud street racers for mudguards

 

[willem]

Of course a racing bike is not an ideal commuting bike, for the reasons you mention, and for other reasons as well. However, I don't think there is much point in selling it. You will not get much for it, and it would be a fun bike to keep. If you only need a basic commuting bike, there is nothing better than a thirty year old cheap sturdy three speed, unless you ride in very hilly terrain. I don't think a bike like that would cost you much. However, if in fact you need a bike for proper touring with a tent etc, neither your racer, nor a three speed will do, of course (but even then, I would just keep the Holdsworth, and probably use a three speed for commuting).
If you want to use the Holdsworth, there are a couple of solutions to make it work, more or less. However, they would probably cost more than an old second hand commuting bike. For mudguards the eyelets are probably not your only problem. If the bike has 49 mm drop brakes, the bike will not have the clearance to have both mudguards and reasonably wide tyres. What you can do, however, is fit half mudguards of the SKS Raceblade type. These will keep you drier, but not as dry as proper mudguards. As for luggage, I would not like to ride with a backpack. That leaves two possibilities. The first is a rear rack like the Tubus Fly, with the special brackets to fit it to the rear.axle. The alternative is to use a large Caradice Saddlebag like the Nelson Longflap etc, and drop your little backpack inside the saddle bag. You will need a support as well.
Willem

 

[andym]

It depends a lot on how far you have to commute and how much you have to carry, but plenty of people commute with a backpack or courier bag, so it's a perfectly viable solution so long as you get a decent bag and don't try to carry too much.

You can also get racks that attach to the seatpost. I'm not a great fan of these, and you could argue that a saddlebag is a better idea, but so long as you don't exceed the 10 kg max weight limit they would be fine. So definitely an option worth considering.

There are various mudguards designed for use on bikes (road and mountain bikes) without mudguard eyelets.

Like Willem I wouldn't sell the bike.

 

[greenmark]

My suggestion:

 

[ColinJ]

There's always the bodging option!   (Yes, I know the rack isn't level - I said it was a bodge job!)

 

[thistler]

those mudguards are cool!!!!

 

[ColinJ]

those mudguards are cool!!!!

I'm using Crud Roadracers now!

 

[HJ]

I'm using Crud Roadracers now!

Crud Road Racers are cool...

 

[potsy]

I'm using Crud Roadracers now!

I prefer the bodge job.