Does anyone have experience with Kinetics' rather ingenious looking front pannier rack for the Brompton? And if so, specifically using one pannier at a time, and the effect on the bike's handling? Cheers for any input!
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Brompton front pannier rack
(3 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Yes, because I designed the two prototypes. :-)
Ben recreated the format using the newer moulded components and a single bent tube that eliminated all the tedious brazing of the prototype. That inventive step, plus the fact he has a workshop and I don't, is why you'd buy it from him.
The one I use is the second prototype, which we made from steel tube brazed to part of a Brompton bag frame. Insofar as it's comparable in performance to the production item, it handles a single pannier well.
The Brompton luggage block isn't designed to take assymetric loads that encourage torsion, so I wouldn't hang a single heavy pannier on the front rack regularly, but split it between two panniers if possible. For larger or heavier items I would put them in a regular Brompton bag. I almost always use the rack with a pair of front panniers attached.
The great thing about the front rack is that you don't need to take the panniers off when you park the bike, just take the whole assembly with you.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Ah, it seems I asked in the right place, then! Great, that's really helpful, thanks. I hadn't considered the impact of an asymmetric load on the block actually, so that's good to keep in mind.
Being able to lug both panniers about is a nifty feature, and sounds like it gets round any `nuisance' of having to use two panniers if it's too heavy for one side. I'm sold! Thanks again for the information.
Posted 9 years ago #
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