I use a Tumbleweed Pannier Rack. I love the rack and it's really solid for bikepacking. I don't have any issues with rattling and it's awesome that the X-Clamp on the 16L Tailfin Panniers fits.
The one problem that I have is rubbing. I normally strap a tent or a dry bag to the top of the rack and the rubbing against the metal damages the bags. I have them strapped down really tight.
I resorted to cutting a section of an old foam ground mat and strapping it onto the top of the rack to provide some padding. I feel like there must be a better solution though. How do you all deal with this issue?
by Starky04
3 Comments
Your suggestion of a foam pad is pretty good, or use a hand towel or washcloth. Then you have the towel as a backup for using as an actual towel later on.
Foam is what I use. Works great.
I used a cheap Z-Rest sit pad. Then I have a pad at camp, for bike repair or whatever (also would make a good splint) and it protects the bag.
I’ve used a sit pad mostly, but I recently tried wrapping the platform metal with duct tape. (Tried to make it look as clean as possible?) I think it worked, at least for a very bumpy singletrack bikepacking race, no obvious holes in my drybag. Another guy, who went UL for the race, wrapped his dry bag in a Tyvek groundsheet, which, combined with his sleeping bag, was his entire sleep kit.