Bicycle Mechanics - How do you put pannier racks on a bike without any eyelets??

I am in the process of building up a new (used) frame. I require this bike for commuting so I have to put a pannier rack on it. I once had a klein mtb with no eyelets and I used two bar ends and two hose clamps. It generally worked pretty well except that after a year or so the hose clamps were showing signs of warping and fatigue. It also caused some nasty scratches ( I would prevent that this time by wrapping frame with black electrical tape in areas that it would get scratched). Aside from this method does anyone have any other ideas?
:confused: :D

Go HERE (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/) and take a look.

There are rear racks that clamp onto the frame that have a vertical frame to support the panniers. There are also seatpost mounted racks of the same configuration.

An example is here: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=4030&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1

A couple of rack brands offer models with alternative mounting methods. Check Old Mountain for one. Also, Carradice offers saddle bags and SQR (seatpost quick release) bags that don't require a rack. I have the SQR Slim model that I use when I want to commute on one of my road bikes that do not have racks. The Slim is just the right size for commuting, about the same as a small backpack. Wallbike.com and peterwhitecycles.com carry Carradice.

Most racks come with clamp hardware that is rubber coated to protect the paint. If you all ready have a rack, any bike shop should have hundreds of these clamps left over(We do) from prior installations that you could get cheap or free.

Dudes!

I checked out the "old man mountain" racks. Nice design and everything but they cost a min. of $180 cdn. They should be diamond studded for that price. I can buy a regular pannier rack for $15, I bough one at a swap meet for $2. $180 is out of the question as I am a student. I may have to revert to the old bar end / hose clamp method.

Mountain Equipment Co-op has mounting hardware for pannier rakes. The package I have in front of me has the clamps, bolts and nuts, rubber gaskets to protect the paint and instructions all for $2.50. So if you can take your bike and rack down to 130 West Brodway you can match up the parts you need. If MEC does not have what you nead the LBS in that area will be helpful.

Most bikes without eyelets have chainstays too short to accomadate panniers without interfering with your pedaling. 17" (43cm) is the magic lenght.

I had some eyelets brazed onto the seat-stays of my steel road/commuter bike. It cost £13 at my LBS. It will mess up your paint-job, but on my hand-painted bike that was not a problem.

I once had a klein mtb with no eyelets and I used two bar ends and two hose clamps.

Never, ever, ever put clamps on an aluminum frame. The metal is too soft for clamping. It will fail. Furthermore, never, ever, ever mate steel to aluminum without using some sort of metal prep. The resulting galvanic reaction will corrode the frame.