Pannier Woes

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Caher
Dear all,
I bought a rack last weekend and then fitted my panniers preparing for a big ride however I had two disasters. Firstly, the screw I was tightening the rack to the frame shred off then I discovered that the panniers sat too close to the bracket so that when I tried to peddle my heal became trapped by the pannier – there simply is no room for a full revolution of my peddle stroke.
Has anyone out their any ideas how to get this screw out and how they might have cured the pannier problem?
Many thanks
Caher

Broken fasteners can often be removed by carefully drilling them and using an "Easy-Out". Be very careful to select the correct sizes and when using the "Easy-Out" . ... "Easy-Out"material is very brittle and hard.

Heal stike problem is typical of chain stays that are not long enough for your shoe size/rack position/pannier combination.
Different profile of pannier or positioning it further back are solutions that might work. Some racks have more rearward horizontal positioning and/or more distance toward the rear.

There is also a Touring newsgroup/discussion group that might be able to help. You should tell them the chain stay length, shoe size, rack, and panniers that you are dealing with.

Breaking fasteners in threaded frame fittings is a fairly typical problem. I use harder fasteners than are supplied by most OEMs.
I also pre-tap the holes to make sure they run clean. I then use Blue Loctite on the threads and a very light coating of anti-sieze or grease between both sides ofthe stainless steel washer at the fastener head.

Old Man Mountain makes some helpful rack solutions that aren't found in many shops. If you really get stuck on the rack you might change plans to a trailer like BOB Yak.