Charger 5 drink bottle mount with front cargo rack. Carrying second 800 wh battery options

[warek437]

Hi All

Kevin from Australia. It has been 6 months since I initially sought feedback on a new Ebike. I have ordered Riese and Muller Charger 5 mixte in 53 cm frame, with the off road kit, front rack and bag and two drink bottle cages, and second 800 wh battery for extended ebike touring. It will be ready next week.
I assume the most logical place to mount the cages is on the head tube that the front rack attaches to or is there a better option. Sizing of bolt hole opening for bottle cage is much smaller than for the front rack
Is there a mounting kit or a special system for this to work when you have already used the head tube mounts for the front rack? Are there any other options?

A quick Internet search suggests from Amazon.
This appears to be one mount only not two as per pictures, which means two kits at a price of 90 AUD, which is rather expensive
Fahrer Multiadapter for Riese & Müller E-Bikes - Adapter for Four Accessories, Bottle Holder, Lock Holder, Stainless Steel, Black
Brand: vipstar

https://www.amazon.com.au/Fahrer-Multi-Adapter-Müller-Bikes/dp/B0CJYGR8X1

I have also ordered a second 800-watt hour battery, length is 424 mm, for extended Ebike touring. I will have two Ortlieb panniers on the sides of the rear rack. Is there a mounting system or rack bag that can hold this battery securely and go on top of rack. There is a MIK HD mounting system on rack, while also attaching two Ortleib panniers. Would like it to lengthwise on rack rather than across.

Enjoy the ride



Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have also ordered a second 800-watt hour battery, length is 424 mm, for extended Ebike touring. I will have two Ortlieb panniers on the sides of the rear rack. Is there a mounting system or rack bag that can hold this battery securely and go on top of rack. There is a MIK HD mounting system on rack, while also attaching two Ortleib panniers. Would like it to lengthwise on rack rather than across.

Hello Kevin,

Let me share some experience as I use to carry a way shorter battery than yours (382 mm) but also own several Ortlieb products. Your 800 Wh battery is terribly long. I used a steel tape measure to find a pannier to meet your needs.

There is Ortlieb Vario 26L pannier-backpack with QL2.1 mount, priced AUD 270-360 (depending on the colour). It is one of the smartest inventions of Ortlieb. There is a large flap, which can be flipped from one side of the bag to another in 2 seconds. In one position, it is a sturdy backpack; in the other, it is a fully equipped pannier. The flap covers the unwanted side of the bag totally.

I have inserted a steel tape measure inside my Vario 26L to find out your 424 mm long battery would easily fit on the vertical into the pannier. It is still a lot of the bag height remaining, so you can roll the top of the bag down and secure it with the strap (present on the bag).

Of many Ortlieb panniers I own only the Vario 26L can fit as long an object as your battery. However, how to secure the battery inside? OK, what I suggest is to roll a windbreaker or another jacket and place it on one side of the battery. Then, put a water bottle or whatever else (a roll of toilet paper? A roll of a kitchen towel?) on the other side, just to make sure the battery is not swaying too much inside the pannier. Or, just place the battery inside and surround it with any items you might need on your trip!

Now, the mounting. You say MIK. I say Ortlieb QL2.1 system can accept the rear rack tubes/bars up to 16 mm thick. The pannier comes with a collection of reducers so you can make the QL2.1 mounts as close to the size of the rear rack tubes/bars as possible. However, I always recommend protecting the rack tubes/bars with a strong adhesive tape, as the pannier mounts would rub the rack at three points and this cannot be avoided.

Hope that helps.

Dual function of Vario 26L.

On a big shopping ride. It looks untidy but I just didn't roll the top of the Vario carefully

 

[warek437]

Hi Stefan

Thanks for your input and the effort you put into measuring your bag and taking the photos. Very helpful.
Do you have a matching pair, or use a different, smaller pannier on the other side of the rack?