Reviews

BikeE Pannier Rack

Reviewed on 05/19/2003

The BikeE pannier rack was designed by BikeE to work with BikeE recumbents.  The racks were sold through BikeE's dealers and at the old BikeE corporate website for approximately $50.  The pannier rack attaches to the quick release skewers that hold the seat on the bike and resides between the wheels, under the seat.  It is a great location to carry cargo as the weight is well balanced between the wheels and the center of gravity is kept low.  A pair of medium to small size panniers can be mounted comfortably and securely.  There is a limitation when choosing panniers however as the space between the top of the pannier and the underside of the seat is limited.  I would recommend getting shorter, wider panniers as opposed to taller ones.

My pannier rack resides permanently on my BikeE and it provides me with great cargo carrying possibilities.  If I am making a trip to the grocery store and need more space than my BikeE bag will allow, I can quickly throw on one or both panniers and be able to carry two weeks worth of groceries home.  The weight suspended below the seat has no detrimental effects on the BikeE's handling whatsoever.  Even while fully loaded for touring, I hardly notice the extra weight.

I find the BikeE pannier rack to be an invaluable accessory for my BikeE, allowing me to triple my BikeE's cargo carrying capacity at a moments notice.  The rack is an exclusive design for the BikeE and I am not aware of another design that will work.  They are no longer being manufactured and are getting scarce so I would advise anyone with a BikeE that may need additional cargo carrying capacity now or in the future to get your hands on one now.  They crop up on Ebay every now and then and can also be found in dealer's remaining stock.