Ingenious bike bag hacks: Put an end to rattling and paint damage on your bike

Spring is here and with it the new cycling season. It should be clear to everyone by now that the cycling industry has experienced a boom in recent years. Bikes are not only being used to get to the office or for shopping, but are also becoming the new holiday vehicle. Cycling holidays are also becoming increasingly popular. The bicycle industry is responding with a wide variety of touring bikes, with something for everyone. In our big touring bike test, we tested three different bike groups.

Luggage

Once you have found the right bike for you, you need to think about your luggage. Space is often not the problem here - depending on how much you need, different bikes offer a different number of pannier attachment options. However, it can be annoying if your luggage won't stop rattling around on a multi-day tour. We have put together three pannier tricks for a smooth ride.

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1. self-adhesive paint protection

No, it's not sellotape: paint protection films made of transparent polyurethane are many times thicker, tougher and more abrasion-resistant than conventional adhesive tapes. When positioned correctly, they protect the paintwork and material on the frame and luggage racks from the edges of the fastening hooks and the backs of attached panniers. These can cause a lot of damage over time and also make the ride much quieter. Ready-cut protective films are sometimes supplied with new bikes. PU film is even used on rolls for self-cutting to protect carbon tubes from stone chips.

2. repair tape

This tape is also not a normal adhesive tape. The repair tape (for example "Extreme Repair" from Tesa) is considered "self-welding" and is otherwise sold to prevent damage to water or power lines. It is wrapped in several layers that stick together but not to the substrate: You can peel it off or cut it away without leaving any residue. When travelling by bike, it is useful for adjusting the luggage carrier rails to the desired dimensions and preventing the bag from rattling. It also protects the paintwork from the straps or backs of bikepacking bags.

3. cable ties

These miracle tools are no longer an insider tip and belong in every repair kit for cycling holidays. The particularly thick ones also provide good service before the journey: some pannier racks have no or unfavourably positioned stops for the pannier hooks. This allows them to "wander" on the rails and get in the way of the heels. Heartily tightened, thick Cable ties can replace the stops - especially if you have previously created a non-slip surface with adhesive tape. Caution: Cut flush, otherwise there will be sharp edges on the fastener.