racks/panniers for Catalyst - recommendations wanted

[johnnyb]

Hi, Anyone have any recommendations of brand/model racks front and rear to fit Catalyst with to be purchased Magura Odur forks?

What panniers fitted without problems for these racks?


Cheers, Johnny

[jimmer]

Dear Johnny,

Good to know that there are some other Catalyst users out there. We seem to own the Cinderella model in the Thorn range, mind you someone will now deliver the forum stats to prove that it's the most referenced about after the ubiquitous Raven Tour.

I use old style Altura Orkney rear panniers on what I think is a Blackburn (brought for a fiver from a mate). The bags are tough but the parts of the R&K fixings have needed replacing. They come with rain covers though the latest model have dryliners and are supposed to be waterproof.

The front is a bit of a problem. The word on the excellent Magura forum (follow the support links on the Magura homepage) is that there are no recommended racks. However, I'm sure that any that could be adapted for use on a fork would do. The double arch shouldn't pose a problem as the front arch obtrudes no further than that on any other fork. One problem may be that the lower legs have a semi circularishcross section so some bodging may be needed.

Yours, James

[brummie]

Tubus Swing or an Old man mountain front rack should do the job.
Cinderella model?? - I've ridden mine past midnight without any problems...

[pastafarian]

Tubus has just come up with a new "suspension carrier" that looks a lot like the Tara lowrider but mounts to the brake bosses: http://www.tubus.com/index/lang/en/rubrik/Lowriders/artikel/Smarti%20a%20highrider%20for%20rigid%20and%20suspension%20forks/

[Hamish]

I have a Catalyst.

I use a Blackburn rear and a Tubus Swing front.  Both work well.  The Swing is a bit high but very tough.

Rear panniers - Ortlieb Bikepacker Plus. Front panniers Ortlieb Frontroller - ancient ones that are still really good.

I think I should have bought a Raven Tour as i don't use it as a mountainbike- but I like my Catalyst.

Just bought the Mt Tura forks to try them out.  Not arrived yet.

I also pull a Burley Nomad trailer when on tour with the kids.  Works well.

hamish

[Hamish]

My Catalyst

[jimmer]

Dear All,

Ride after midnight around Brum? Only really fast, your wheels get half inched otherwise.

Good to hear from other Catalyst riders. Great looking bike Hamish, mines in blue. Most of my riding is on road but I've used it on canal jaunts and at Glentress & Innerleithin so it's more than capable of full on mountain biking. In idle, lonely moments I do pine for disk brakes and wish I'd gone for the Enduro but feel guilty for betraying a lovely bike straight afterwards.


Yours, James

[Hamish]

I use disks off road on my mountain bike.  They would drive me mad on road as they squeak and bind ever so slightly from time to time, so I am happy that the Catalyst doesn't have them.  The option would be good I suppose.

The short chainstays and small pannier clearance is the only disadvantage with the Catalyst as compared with a Raven Tour.  Still it hasn't really bothered me.  It also makes the bike handle well lightly laden.  The high BB is great for pedaling round corners and keeping my feet dry out of the spray. And the Catalyst looks cool (I think).

hamish

[vik]

Old Man Mountain racks will work on any bike with a suspension or rigid fork.  I use them on bikes that can accept a more standard rack simply because they work so well.

I'll be putting the same OMM Cold Springs front rack show above on my Thorn Nomad.

www.oldmanmountain.com

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com

[johnnyb]

Thanks you all for your input.

Vik, I liked the look of the Old Man Mountains and your website. I'll look at obtaining them in Australia.

Cheers, Johnny