whippy cx bike with carradice saddlebag

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

hi all,

after my messenger bag suddenly out of the blue started making my shoulder look funny and cause massive pains, i've bought a carradice camper longflap saddlebag and sqr system.

i've attached it to my giant tcx1 alloy cx bike. but it feels wrong, if i get out of the saddle to climb i can feel the frame flexing, a lot, kinda like a whippy feeling.

is this normal on a diamond frame bike? or is is going to trash the frame eventually? i thought cx frames were built stronger to take the extra punishment, am i wrong?

cheers

shaun

 

[2Loose]

Sounds like the bag is swaying, which maybe the whippy feeling you describe.
When I first tried panniers I was slightly alarmed by a similar feeling when out of the saddle, but soon recognized it for what it was and became more relaxed in my riding style while 'carrying'. Certainly trying to keep the bike more straight-upright when honking helped keep the symptoms at bay.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

ime of the sqr it means you either haven't acclimatised to the pendulum effect of a loaded saddlebag, most noticeable when out of the saddle and really making an effort, or you haven't tightened your block to the seatpost enough so the whole shebang is flapping around. Been there, done that.

The bike itself will be fine, I suggest you exert more forces through the frame tubes than your bag does, unless you've a black hole in the saddlebag.

 

[cyberknight]

Sounds like the bag is swaying, which maybe the whippy feeling you describe.
When I first tried panniers I was slightly alarmed by a similar feeling when out of the saddle, but soon recognized it for what it was and became more relaxed in my riding style while 'carrying'. Certainly trying to keep the bike more straight-upright when honking helped keep the symptoms at bay.

+1

Nothing to add to that i use a QR seatpost rack and it is disconcerting at first.

 

[Moodyman]

ime of the sqr it means you either haven't acclimatised to the pendulum effect of a loaded saddlebag, most noticeable when out of the saddle and really making an effort, or you haven't tightened your block to the seatpost enough so the whole shebang is flapping around. Been there, done that.

The bike itself will be fine, I suggest you exert more forces through the frame tubes than your bag does, unless you've a black hole in the saddlebag.

Agreed. I found this on the first few long rides with a large saddle bag.

 

[Globalti]

It's the same on cheap thin tubed tandems. Feels like you're sitting on a farm gate. Nasty.

 

[zigzag]

cx bikes have steep head tube angle (around 74') which quickens the steering and maximises pendulum effect. touring bikes having shallower head tube (around 72') are less whippy with seatpost mounted bags. i had a seatpost rack on lel (without proper testing before) and hated how the bike handles, never used since. if you load your bag with 1-2kg (i.e. clothes and other lightweight stuff), the handling shouldn't be affected too much.

 

[potsy]

You could always try not taking the kitchen sink with you on every ride

still amazed at the amount of luggage you carry around with you

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

You could always try not taking the kitchen sink with you on every ride

still amazed at the amount of luggage you carry around with you

stopped you dying of hypothermia tho didn't it?......