Panniers on a LeMond BA??

Easy Rider said:

Hello,
Anyone have any expierience mounting panniers on a Buenos Aires? I know it's not exactly a touring bike, but it came with "dropout adapters" supposedly for attaching a rear rack. They look kind of hokey though, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to attach the rack to the seatstays with a couple of those vinyl coated brackets made for adapting fenders and such. Attaching a rear rack at its front end will be a challenge too, as there's not a good place there except maybe the seatpost. I know they make those rear racks now that only attach at the seatpost but those seem dangerous to me. What's to keep 'em from getting bumped over and messing up your tire?
Thanks for the help!
Gordon
Portland, OR

Old Man Mountain makes a couple racks that work OK in this application.
http://www.oldmanmountain.com/rear_rack_page.htm
Cold Springs and Sherpa.
The bottom is supported off the QR.
Upper mounting can be done with clamps to the seat stays if you don't have a better way. Gallery photos on the OMM site should help some.
Heel clearance for the panniers and bicycle stability are the issues I would be concerned about.
Once you have the rack secured, make sure you have the panniers well secured to the rack.
Give yourself some test rides with increasing loads and steeper descents before taking it on a "real tour".