After considering many different setup’s for my LeJog ride I decided on a pannier rack and panniers to carry my clothing and equipment. Many people now opt for the bikepacking set up with frame bags and seat bags but my decision was based on future use.
After reading many reviews I decided on the Topeak Super Tourist DX Disc Brake Pannier Rack. The rack is easy to fit due to the CAADX having eyelets to securely fit such a rack and all in all it is a solid piece of kit.
Pannier Rack Fixing Bolts
One major issue I came across and one that I had not considered was the bolts securing the pannier rack to the frame coming loose. On my second day while up on Bodmin Moor, one of the bolts had worked itself loose and the rack collapsed. This caused the rack to rub on my back wheel. The day to day vibration of the roads and cycle trail’s I was traveling on had caused the bolt to loosen. I was unable to find the bolt and after a quick and unsuccessful repair using cable ties I carried on to a nearby house where luckily the owner had an M5 bolt. In hindsight I should have used locktight to secure the bolts.
The Topeak Super Tourist DX Disc is not 100% compatible with the Ortlieb Back Roller Classic Panniers
One disappointing thing that I found when using the Topeak Super Tourist DX rack with my Ortlieb panniers was that each time I hit a significant bump in the road or trail, the bottom bracket of the pannier would jump out of position. I tried many different positions as the fittings are easily adjustable however I could not get it right and this continued to happen throughout the 21 days cycling Lands End to John O Groats. While this did not cause me any great issues, it was annoying. After closer inspection it seems that the weld on the leg of the Super Tourist DX sticks out ever so slightly and ads pressure to the pannier so any force such as a bump in the road causes it to move out of position.