Pannier rack without a light fitting

[summerdays]

i popped into my LBS for a new pannier rack yesterday. I didn't pay much attention to the rack as I was just expecting to have bought the identical one to what was on the bike currently (bought from the same shop).

When I arrived home I noticed it doesn't have a plate for fitting a light bracket to. I might just return the rack, but before I do is there ways of getting round this. I know I can fix lights to stays and the seat post but I think the end of the pannier rack is the best position for not getting obscured by bags, coats etc.

 

[Milkfloat]

I have used a wrap around frog style light in situations like these, it works but is not exactly permanent.

 

[summerdays]

I have used a wrap around frog style light in situations like these, it works but is not exactly permanent.

I've got some wrap ones but the wrap is big enough to go around the seat post, and I want the light to be at the right angle rather than it can be knocked and ends up pointing down at the ground or to the left. I have a number of the Smart half watt lights so I want to fix that pannier bracket to the rack. Perhaps mission impossible with this rack.

 

[Crackle]

Yes you can cobble something but if you have the option to return it, that's much better.

 

[summerdays]

A Cateye belt clip could be attached, horizontally between the struts, with zip ties.

In looking for that I've ended up on the SJS site (should have thought of looking there) and I've found the following. Not exactly sure how each one works and if any are suitable for me.

 

[Pale Rider]

Is the old rack broken?

You could attempt to make a 'Frankenrack' from the two.

That would give you a rack with a mounting plate and a nice warm feeling of achievement.

 

[summerdays]

Yes you can cobble something but if you have the option to return it, that's much better.

I probably will return it, as they know me well in there, but I was just checking out my options.

 

[summerdays]

Is the old rack broken?

You could attempt to make a 'Frankenrack' from the two.

That would give you a rack with a mounting plate and a nice warm feeling of achievement.

Yes 3 of the welds at the top, where it joins the horizontal are cracks. And although I've carried on for quite some time I do occasionally carry nearly 1 and a half stone in there or more when I need to carry a lot of work materials. The idea of it breaking when I've a really heavy pannier load doesn't fill me with enthusiasm.

And you are over estimating my fettling/bodging capabilities!

 

[Pale Rider]

Yes 3 of the welds at the top, where it joins the horizontal are cracks. And although I've carried on for quite some time I do occasionally carry nearly 1 and a half stone in there or more when I need to carry a lot of work materials. The idea of it breaking when I've a really heavy pannier load doesn't fill me with enthusiasm.

The new rack doesn't look very sturdy.

My recommendation would be something like a Tubus, they are bombproof, all rated at at least 20kg.

There's one on my Rose, and like the rest of the bike, it is so well made it will probably outlast me.

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/brand/tubus/?order=dprice#anchor_products

 

[steveindenmark]

I wouldnt bother messing around trying to cobble something together. I would return it and get the rack I wanted.

 

[summerdays]

It was one of those things where I was trying to support the LBS and I thought I'd make that purchase from there. I was busy chatting to them and just took the first thing he handed to me without looking at it properly, I was just checking that it looked simple to fit rather than anything else.

 

[winjim]

In looking for that I've ended up on the SJS site (should have thought of looking there) and I've found the following. Not exactly sure how each one works and if any are suitable for me.

View attachment 126557 View attachment 126558 View attachment 126559

I have the top one on my Carradice. Couple of pics here:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/a...-above-level-of-panniers.188790/#post-3939705
Note that I still needed the reflector mount to attach to the bracket - the light doesn't attach straight on. It's great for the way I use it but probably less than ideal for your purposes.

 

[Pale Rider]

It was one of those things where I was trying to support the LBS and I thought I'd make that purchase from there. I was busy chatting to them and just took the first thing he handed to me without looking at it properly, I was just checking that it looked simple to fit rather than anything else.

You could support the local bike shop by asking them to order a rack suitable for your purpose.

I buy some stuff from my local bike shop that way, gives them a bit of business and saves me having to wait in for delivery.

The owner of the shop is a mate of mine, so I'm allowed to use the shop address for delivery of something I've bought online.

That's been handy for a couple of ebike bits from suppliers the shop wouldn't ordinarily deal with.

 

[summerdays]

They only seem to order from limited suppliers, I know I've tried to get them to get something different before and they said their supplier didn't stock it. We will see when I go in... Hopefully today else it will have to be next week.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Does that rack have a bracing/bolt plate on the top at the rear? cant see from the photo. It's be easy to fettle a light onto an L bracket if so.

Difficult if not