Mountain Bike Rack and Panniers | Installation 

That's fantastic to hear! Thanks. - Eddie

Yep, you're right. I'm grateful for the two bottom clips. Makes for a much more stable bag. -Eddie

Man, these bags are great. Used them on a kayak trip too. -Eddie

Have fun! -Eddie

I didn't have any problem with the braze-ons during my recent trip. This spring - I'm gonna put them to the test on one of the gnarliest downhills in Pisgah. Stay tuned! - Eddie

They came with the panniers. Very nice set! -Eddie

That rack is a pretty rack! I've returned from our latest trip where I used the panniers - and I think I need one more before I can share an opinion on noise (the trail we rode was flat and not very bumpy). In the right pannier - I carried my tent, battery brick, and two extra layers. In the left pannier, I carried tool bag, tube, cook kit, clothes, food, water filter, first aid kit, hygiene kit... I think that's it. - Eddie

The Surly Petite Porter house front pannier bag is not water proof although Surly give you some bright yellow internal bags which I guess are to prevent water getting to your dry gear in a down pour. It's best suited to a front pannier rack such as their Porteur Rack 24 or the Specialised Pizza rack. It's a bit over priced for what it is. In contrast all Ortlieb bags are waterproof so you do not have to worry about your gear getting damp or wet. I've never ever had an Ortlieb bag that has leaked and use my Ortlieb panniers most days. I have the full fat ones, the sport packers and the gravel ones and they are all good. None have ever leaked. Getting them on and off is super easy. Mine don't rattle either.

The tire clearance issue was no problem at all during the 3-4 trips I've taken since installation. I was very pleased with using the braze-on mountain points. I had no issues at all. -Eddie

I'm excited for you! Yes, the Ortleib bags are far and away the best decision I made regarding bikepacking. I will always be on a hard tail with rack and panniers. That + a frame bag is the way to go. The right pannier is tent, ground cloth, sleeping pad. The left pannier is cook kit, first aid, extra clothes. I put my sleeping bag up top in the middle (lightest/highest). I carry most of my water down low in my frame bag now 2 or 3 liter Hydropak. Top of my frame bag, on top of the water, is my food. I carry a bottle on my handlebar (with a few side pouches for snacks + stuff. I have a top tube bag for quick-access items (snacks, headlamp, phone, etc.). I carry a tool bag on the top tube near the seat tube (I think I want to get this lower in the future, though. I only wear a backpack now for camera gear (drone, accessories). Have fun! -Eddie

You bet! -Eddie

I agree with you very much on the high CoG. My bike handles much different now. On torque, OMM recommends threading the 5mm key through the axle ends and using them to tighten. I think they believe the 5NM will be achieved before you can bend the key. I'd like to be able to torque it with a torque wrench though to be sure - so not terribly excited about that design. - Eddie

@@SimplyMountainBiking You might want to watch this video on thru axles. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KMdsSuXGniU.html

Wow - those are large panniers you have there! The backpack I've used for 20 years is 58L. I typically backpacked 3-5 days, which is what I'd like to do bikepacking. IMHO, the tail bag is only appropriate if you plan to wear a pack too. Or - if you are going to spend a lot of time near civilization for frequent re-supply. - Eddie

@@SimplyMountainBiking yup they're huge, indestructible, and they each resemble a small backpack. MEC brand, I got them used for $40 and I've never seen anything quite like them on the market today. Of course I'm riding slow, and would probably die if I tried to jump anything, lol. Cheers, Liam

I love them. I need to do a follow-up video comparing seat bag to panniers. I'm not going back from rack and panniers. The rack is A+ and well made. The panniers are sturdy, waterproof, and easy to get on/off the frame. I would recommend them both unreservedly. -Eddie

@@SimplyMountainBiking Delighted to hear it all worked out and positive words. Order on its way 👍

Thanks! -Eddie

Hi! Those are Crank Brothers Stamp pedals in large. I love these for my size 13 feet! -Eddie

I can't use a seat post clamp because I have a dropper post. That's a 27.5 x 4.5 and it's a monster! - Eddie

@@SimplyMountainBiking I guess they don’t recommend it for my Farley 7 with the 27.5 gnarwhals. Anyway I went with a salsa alternator. I may try the Topeak for my partner’s Farley when it arrives.

I used a clamp on the bottom part of the dropper. Salsa sells one. It’s not a seat post clamp.

Hmm, seems like a hassle to fix a flat tire.

​@@SimplyMountainBikingis your bike frame carbon? Wonder if you used the pucks would be safe on the stays?

Yep! -Eddie

I'll bet you were off the bike and on the ground before you knew what happened! Thanks for sharing. -Eddie

Low center of gravity enhances stability in 2-wheel vehicles in particular. I do notice the difference. - Eddie

Hey, do what you want for the gear you want to bring. It's what works for you. 🙂 -Eddie

@@SimplyMountainBiking if I can find another luggage rack to put in the front of the bike.. you can call me paranoid but I really don't like what is going on.. you can't do anything without hearing the crap on the news TV cell phone radio.. of all hell breaking loose.. it's just a matter of time.. I'm waiting for the big main event to go down.. with me I'm going to be alone when it happens.. I always have known that I'm going to be alone.. stuck stranded in Arkansas right now.. single white female I'm already 55.. lots of thoughts go through my mind being a Target.. having the crap kicked out of me being raped.. that's just how the society is anymore

I don't know - but I'm not looking to carry tons of gear so the size works for me well. -Eddie