Utility Cycling - pillion/ passengers and rack suggestions for same

Would like to know of what options I have for rear racks strong enough for a single passenger, dutch-style. This would go on an old raleigh or some other steel frame (not a dutch bike though).

I'm seeing the Surly Nice Rack with a claimed load of 80lbs or so.

Is my only sure bet to get a custom rack welded directly to the frame?

any tips are appreciated.

-rob in brooklYn

There was a Raleigh 20 clone made here in NZ called the 'Healing Cruiser' and it had a rear rack made from welded steel bar that was also welded onto the frame. Nothing, and I do mean nothing could bust a Cruiser's carry rack.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/Sianelleofavelorn/HealingCruiser.jpg

I would think that the rack you need depends on the size passenger you are expecting to carry. At a minimum you probably want a welded rack.

You might also want to keep in mind, some states have laws that prohibit carrying passengers on a bicycle that is not designed for it. A rack is not really a passenger seat, although you might find one that is sturdy enough to do so.

Vic

Remember the bolts is the weak points in a normal rack setup. If the rack can take 40 lbs does not mean the bolts do. Welding sounds good.

i have a tubus cargo and have carried tons of friends home, drunk at night, that way. most were girls, probably 120lbs, but some friends up to 150, 160lbs rode without problems.

not in the spec, i know, but its been 5 years on the surly crosscheck with nary a problem.

i have a tubus cargo and have carried tons of friends home, drunk at night, that way. most were girls, probably 120lbs, but some friends up to 150, 160lbs rode without problems.

not in the spec, i know, but its been 5 years on the surly crosscheck with nary a problem.

Yup, depending on the axle, you could probably throw on some pegs and extra supports for the rack too.

that is an eyelet-mounted rack, right?

thx for the info. those racks look nice.


i have a tubus cargo and have carried tons of friends home, drunk at night, that way. most were girls, probably 120lbs, but some friends up to 150, 160lbs rode without problems.

not in the spec, i know, but its been 5 years on the surly crosscheck with nary a problem.

Remember the bolts is the weak points in a normal rack setup. If the rack can take 40 lbs does not mean the bolts do. Welding sounds good.

A simple upgrade is to swap the usual 5mm stainless steel bolts for graded hardware. Cadmium plated are fairly corrossion resistant and significantly stronger than generic stainless steel. Also torque them to spec: 8Nm for grade 9.8, 11Nm for grade 10.9.

that is an eyelet-mounted rack, right?

thx for the info. those racks look nice.

yep rpet, its an eyelet mounted, with standard stainless steel. i dont know that i would recommend it for long bike trips, but i think bikes can be abused MUCH more than the specs mention. once i carried a friend (about 160lb) home about 10 miles. this was two years ago and nothing has broken or bent since.