Touring - Has anyone installed a rear bike rack on a Specialized Roubaix (carbon)?

Hi

Wondering if anyone has installed a rear bike rack on a Specialized Roubaix (carbon)?

My specific model is an elite and it doesn't have the eyelets - that in itself might be a clue.

I thought I read somewhere on here that you could install a rear bike rack... couldn't retrace the thread.

Anyone...?

Thanks

http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Fit%20Solutions/FIT%20SOLUTIONS%20PAGE.htm

I would not try a normal rack.....with carbon. I had an elite and had a crack in the frame right where a rack would attach. (good news is they ((Specialized)) gave me a year newer Roubiax Pro for free... even a new front derailuer since the old one would not work on the PRO)

You could go to an aluminum seat post and do a seat post rack

I wouldn't recommend it.

If you apply too much torque to the clip-ons for the rack, you run the risk of cracking the CF, and therefore ruining the frame.

Alloy seatpost would only work for light loads -- 20 lbs or so. Unlikely to be enough for touring.

I think a trailer is probably your only recourse, unless you're doing ultralight credit-card touring.

Thanks, I appreciate all your input.

I won't be installing a rack. :thumb:

or you could consider a front rack?

or you could consider a front rack?

I looked at the front rack too, seems to come out to the same - carbon fork, no go. :(

You can use 6"x15" compression bags under the handlebar and under the saddle, a frame bag(s), a saddlebag from Carradice or other smilar companies. Carousel design works makes bags that mtb endurance racers use that would work perfectly for a road bike.

If your not going on a long tour you might get away with using a backpack too. Check out the Ergon backpacks, they place almost all of the weight on your hips instead of the shoulders.

I use a Tubus Fly rack on my Lemond with an adapter that mounts the rack on the skewers, and the top attaches to the brake bolt. It puts minimal stress on the bike frame. Many racks, at least the Tubus ones, can be mounted this way.

The Fly is rated for 18 kg. weighs about 350 grams and is made of co-mo steel. It's really strong and works well.

The adapters also move the rack toward the rear allowing more clearance between your shoes and panniers if you use them. Heel clearance (chain stay length) is an issue on many "race" bikes.

Check out the thetouringstore.com link provided by Indolent58 above, Wayne is really helpful and may have the best prices for Tubus racks.

Thanks everyone, all great ideas. Much appreciated. :) :thumb:

I use a carradice SQR tour and an ultegra alloy seatpost to (lightly) tour on my carbon frame. You won't get much room for things though.

My dad uses a carradice bag and rack combo, which attaches to the seat rails. He also has a roubaix, and has made no other changes to the bike. It works fine for credit card touring, but he uses a bivy sack that he straps on top of the bag, which is substantially lighter and smaller than a tent.

If you can put together the following items you can go ultralight and have a blast on that great bike. You need 1 tough ballistic nylon stuff sack about 6-8 inches in diameter and 18-20 inches long. Two pieces of 1 inch tubular webbing about six feet long.

In stuff sack: down sleeping bag, bivy sack, big agnes inflatable pad, cycling rain jacket and pants, lightweight nylon or polyester convertable pants, lightweight long sleeve top, swimtrunks and underwear, extra pair of socks.

Put all this gear into a plastic trash bag and stuff into the stuff sack. Then tie the stuff sack about midpoint to the seat supports in a vertical orientation bringing the bag down as far as you can without interfering with the brake and wheel. Then tie it again with the second piece of webbing around the seat post making several wraps and compress the stuff sack as much as you can to give better leg clearance.

Then all you need is a small or medium sized handlebar bag to carry: long sleeve windbreaker, tools, long finger gloves, helmet cover, food, camera, phone, etc.

With this you are set for long distance credit card camping with the ability to camp wherever needed. You will have no more then 10-12 pounds of gear on the bike.