Hi all, have a carbon frame gravel bike. It has the points to attach a pannier rack and I have two ortlieb bags. I’ve read a lot of concerns about carbon frames buckling and just wondering how much weight would be appropriate?
Pic for attention. TIA.
by Purple-Caramel1978
6 Comments
Check the manufacturers specifications for your frame, they should give a max weight.
TL/DR : do not try to sprint like a pro moving the bike side to side, and you can load the thing like… 15 kg safely i’d say
Carbon frames buckling from weight on therear rack ? Never heard of it but I’m interested
The weight on the rear rack is supported almost exclusively by the rear axle and bythebit of reinforced carbon that is between the axle and the rack bosses. It doesn’t stress the frame more.
(However, that “heavy” mass will not move side to side when you want to accelerate out of thesqddle, and so your pushingand pulling on the handlebars COMBINED with the stationary weight might add stress. As long as you dont move your bike around like you’re a pro sprinter with 20kg qt the back, no worries on that.)
Also people 100kg use carbon frames, so the max weight must be above that.
Ortlied bags have a max weight limit that is probably below the max Weight supported by the bosses.
Depends on the design, check with the manufacturer.
Not a lot
Ofc it depends on the frame, but usually it’s the wheels giving out? I bikepacked bodyweight@110kg + bike + gear, so about 135-140kg on my carbon frame and Easton EC70 wheels no problem.
If the upper points are used mainly to stabilize the rack horizontally and do not hold much outward (upon wards) pressure, I guess it should be fine as long as within the manufacturer’s overall weight limit. Otherwise I would not do it.
In other words, check that the rack is supported by the rear wheel axis, not by these two frame bolts.