front pannier racks in Lhasa ?

Hi

I'm in Lhasa with bike and a bit stuffed. Broken front pannier rack and none in town to replace it .

Does anyone know of somewhere in Lhasas that sells front racks ( preferably low rider racks ? If so can you give me some contact details quick.Phone or email.

I'velooked and it doesn'tseemvery hopeful.

Amdoing a dodgy fix (with string, sticky back plastic, and that sort of thing !!!) but I'mnot confident it'll last until Kathmandu

Would be very very very grateful for any info, as can only wait in lhasa for 2-4 days or I'll be close to the limit onmy Chinese visa.

adios

Stuart

I think you may try to fix it at those hardware shops, I haven't tried it myself, but they may be able to fix that for you if it's not alumninium.

A front pannier rack is quite a rare item not only in Lhasa but also in some bigger cities in China.

If you head out to the Island (Shinzu dao) and ride to the downstream end of the island....you'll find a bunch of metal workers. If your racks are steel it will be an easy fix. If they are aluminum it will be a bit more tricky but a metal worker should be able to fashion a shim to cover the broken bit and then bolt or weld it together.

To find new racks will be very hard in Lhasa you could try hangin on Mentsikung Lu near some of the small Chinese run restaurants and bars (on the right as you walk down from Beijing Lu) as there are LOTS of bike tourers around and you may find someone who is selling off their gear and flying home out of Lhasa. Its worth a try.

CJ

Dear pazu & mrcjonesy

many thanks for your replies ( like many others you have provided to others )

My rack was aluminium and 17 years old and it broke at one of the bolt eyes. I tried buying racks off others to no success. Think I should have paid out for a very expensive Tubus rack before I headed this way. I blame Skippy (i.e the jar of peanut butter I added at the last moment to that bag)

I have effected a self made fix using a metal spoon, the section from a bottle cage with the bolt eyes, pipe clips, Araldite, Zip ties, amd two pieces of Bamboo. If you can't guess - I can tell you it looks a bit strange, but may well last.

For others who may need repairs the staff at "Bicycle Fans" on the road down to the Johkang were very helpful (particularly Bicycle Li who cycled with me across town to locate pipe clips)

Also very helpful was Taizand Bicycle Tours on Beijing Lu near the Kirey Hotel, who helped meon other matters where mandarin and local knowledge was needed.

SO if you are heading out this way with old kit - Be Warned (Wonder where I'll find spare parts for me then !)

Adios

Stuart

Wow, you certainly sound very resourceful! Best of luck to you and your new-invented contraption.
Cheers!

I agree. The friendly owners at Thaizand are very helpful. They helped me with Air Tickets. They had lots of parts in mini-store; suprised they didn't have what you were seeking. BTW, would love to see a picture of your self-repaired front pannier rack. Cheers.