General Cycling Discussion - Please help me pick a rack

I am looking to buy a rear rack, I am not going on long tours or anything like that, mostly city riding, I want to spend between $20.00 - 30.00, I don't know if it is possible to get a rack for that cheap or not, I will probably add panniers shortly after. I have another question, I hope it is not a dumb one, so please forgive me if it is but how are the panniers held on the rack? Also I might want to add fenders as well so will I have any problems adding the fenders after the rack and/ or panniers are already on?.

this oen i liek it it and jsut used a bunge cord from HD and it works nice

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19795

I've been using a blackburn mountain rack for years, widely available for about $35. I use it for commuting and loaded touring.

How the panniers attach to the rack is very important, it's the difference between cheap ones and good ones. If you look at a picture of a rack, you'll see there is a hook or projection at the bottom. Panniers have a hook on the bottom that hooks onto the projection, and two hooks on the top that hook onto the top rail of the rack. These hooks have to be designed so that they hold heavy loads securely, but go on and off reasonably easily. Usually the bottom hook will have a spring or elastic, and the top hooks will have some sort of mechanical fastener. With cheap panniers, the spring stretches out and the top hooks break after a short time.

http://www.rei.com/product/47611606.htm?

You can use it as a regular rack with panniers, or with a Topeak Quick Release bag for shorter around town trips. The Topeak bag has a track on the bottom that slides on the rack quickly, and can be released and removed in about 2 seconds.

ooooooooooooooooooo rack for the bike

I will have to dissagree with DC Com. The best attatchment systems for panniers are modern quick-release systems. They have 2 hooks at the top with locking clips. The hook at the bottom is an anti-sway device that is like a doorhande, it slips behind the rack stays. Attatchment and removal is pretty instantaneous with no fiddling around. Elasticated hooks (or straps or velcro) are less secure and take longer to fix and remove.

Blackburn racks are the benchmark. I have the original and a good copycat that was cheaper. The key design feature are three stays that are triangulated to prevent sway in all directions.
You need threaded eyelets on your frame to fit a std rack. You need one hole at the top of each seatstay and one by the rear axle (in the dropouts). An additional hole in the dropouts is for the fender. You can fit fenders to the same bolts as the rack, with the rack innermost. SKS chromoplastic fenders are the best.

Hey Crazy Cyclist how are things in Winnipeg? Norco house brand racks are good, strong, lifetime warranty and on sale nation wide for $28.00 Cdn. including tax for the Axiom journy!

Planet Bike has a nice rack for $25. Shipping is ~$7 more. I've been using it on my commuting bike till my real rack comes in.

gordon, things aren't too bad, it is a little windy and it has been cold for about a week, but it isn't oo bad. It is supposed to rain the rest of the week and into the weekend. I was looking at the Norco Axiom line and I might pick it up. How much are Norco panniers?

I will have to dissagree with DC Com. The best attatchment systems for panniers are modern quick-release systems. They have 2 hooks at the top with locking clips. The hook at the bottom is an anti-sway device that is like a doorhande, it slips behind the rack stays. Attatchment and removal is pretty instantaneous with no fiddling around. Elasticated hooks (or straps or velcro) are less secure and take longer to fix and remove.

Michael, can you post specific brands or models that have "modern" systems? I'm still using Vaude panniers I bought six years ago that use a rubber strap on the bottom and two clips on the top. I can easily install or remove them with one hand and they stay secure. I can't imagine an attachment system that could work better. Sadly, the fabric is starting to fray, and Vaude seems to no longer be available.

Take a look on EBay also. I bought a vetta exact clone of my blackburn this winter for $8 including the shipping. In fact I pretty much replaced my whole stolen bike off ebay this winter. Bike, computer, rack, pump, all came from ebay and none disappointed me. I will say check local or net prices first so you can see what stuff costs and always factor in shipping.

Rixen and Kaul fittings are used by several pannier manufacturers including Carradice.
Ortleib have their own version where the carrying handle unlocks the system when you lift it. You can see an example of the mounting system
http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=27&cid=2
Arkel are very secure but not the quickest of quick-release systems.
I think Vaude now use quick-release locking attatchments. They are widely available and popular in Europe.

Jandd are still using hook and elastic.
Any other common US brands?