F.A.Q. BAKKIE CYCLES
Here we've answered some of the questions you've already asked us about our panniers.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you can't find the answer you're looking for!
- How do the Bakkie and Bakkie Light panniers attach to the luggage rack?
- Can the Bakkies be attached to the luggage rack?
- Are the straps included with the panniers?
- Is my luggage rack compatible with the Bakkies?
- My bike has small wheels; can I still use the Bakkies?
- What are the differences between the Bakkie and the Bakkie Light?
- Why Evo?
- Are the Bakkie panniers compatible with longtail bikes?
HOW DO BAKKIE & BAKKIE LIGHT ATTACH TO THE LUGGAGE RACK?
Both the Bakkie pannier and the Bakkie Light are fastened using two straps that wrap around the top of the luggage rack.
The two straps are adjustable to suit the diameter of the carrier tube, even on the very large tubes of some bikes that make hook fastening impossible.
On electric bikes with the battery in the rack, it's sometimes impossible to use the mounting hooks found on many touring panniers. No problem with Bakkies: you can remove the battery to install the pannier, then put it back on. The Bakkie is then secured to the luggage rack.
This simple system can also be used to attach the pannier to the body of a cargo bike, to the handlebars of a folding bike, or anywhere else where it's needed!
CAN THE BAKKIES BE SECURED TIGHTLY AGAINST THE LUGGAGE RAKE ?
By default, there is no mechanism to hold the pannier tightly against the luggage rack for two reasons:
- The pannier support consists of two layers of fabric enclosing a foam panel. This padding protects your fragile cargo from the aggressive parts of the luggage rack (a guitar case, for example) and avoids the noise it might generate when banging against the rack. It's no big deal if the pannier swings away from the bike on a little bump, so it's all done in silence!
- The additional straps supplied allow this to be done if necessary, in the case of a very high object that could topple over the luggage rack, for example.
However, a chain of straps on the bike-side rack allows you to add a Velcro-type fastener, colson collar or similar, to be passed through the uprights of the luggage rack.
ARE THE STRAPS INCLUDED WITH THE PANNIER?
Yes, each Bakkie or Bakkie Light comes with three straps (40 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm) stored in their dedicated pocket located under the reflective logo.
To differentiate them, the seams are in different colors.
IS MY LUGGAGE RACK COMPATIBLE WITH BAKKIES PANNIERS?
Bakkies are compatible with most luggage racks; however, as with any pannier, it's important to ensure they don't interfere with your pedaling.
As this depends on the bike, the rack, your shoe size and your pedaling style, it's difficult to give an answer for everyone ;-)
MY BIKE HAS SMALL WHEELS, CAN I STILL USE THE BAKKIES?
For wheels 20 inches and larger, there is no issue. Below that, as on a Brompton, they're likely to rub the ground at the slightest bend.
In this case, however, it's possible to install them on the handlebars, as they are very high in relation to the wheel. Be careful with the load in this case: when the front of the bike is weighed down and the load turns with the handlebars (as with a handlebar-mounted bicycle basket), this changes the bike's behavior, so test beforehand and be careful!
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BAKKIE AND BAKKIE LIGHT?
Both models feature the same adjustable padded support and come with three additional straps.
The Bakkie also includes a roll-up bag and carrying handle.
| Features | Bakkie | Bakkie Light |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable support | ||
| 3 adjustable straps | ||
| Carrying handle | ||
| Waterproof bag sewn to stand |
WHY EVO ?
Evo' denotes the second generation of Bakkie and Bakkie Light models, which replaced the previous versions in March 2023.
What's changed?
- The large eyelet with its flap on the back of the pannier for passing through the anti-theft device has been replaced by a small eyelet at the top, easier to access, with an internal diameter of 13mm.
- The new buckles, which look almost identical to the previous ones, are not the same. This is why there are two strap kit references, both of which are unfortunately not compatible.
- A slat gusset has been added to the lower part of the bracket: if required, it can be used to integrate a slat to stiffen the lower part of the bracket in certain very specific cases.
- A chain of straps has been added to the rear of the bracket, enabling it to be secured to the luggage rack with a plastic collar or similar.
ARE BAKKIE BIKE BAGS COMPATIBLE WITH LONGTAIL BIKES?
Yes, absolutely!
The adjustable strap attachment system fits all rack tube diameters used on longtails and doesn't interfere with other accessories that might be attached to the rack.
With a longtail bike, the load can extend out the back like on a conventional bike, but also out the front without interfering with pedaling, so you can carry very bulky items! The weight supported by longtail bike racks is generally very high: this allows you to use the full potential of the Bakkies, which can support up to 20 kg.
On some longtail bikes with a small rear wheel, the unladen Bakkie bag can rest on the footrests when they are installed: in some cases, this can be a problem when towing a child's bike.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you need more information about a particular bike model.
To get an idea of how the Bakkies can be positioned on your longtail bike, you can visit https://bikes.louiseveillard.com/ : designed to compare the sizes of cargo bikes, it also allows you to add a Bakkie bag to your bike!
Select a bike, click on "compare a bike," then scroll to the bottom of the list on the left: you're there!