Utility Cycling - P-clips for putting racks on bikes without eyelets?

Hey there. I've always had bikes which *have* rack mounting eyelets, but was a bit disappointed the other day to find out that the find of a 1999 Rocky Mountain Hammer didn't have them.

Which is unfortunate, as i've got plans for putting some Surly nice racks on it. Does anyone know if the hardware store P-clips, or the Tubus adapters will be strong enough to handle the full 80lb load rating of the nice rack? Or are there tougher alternatives, short of finding someone to add eyelets to the bike?

Thanks.

I used the P-clips I got from my LBS to mount the baskets on my Raleigh. It's been fine so far, and I've put some pretty good loads in the baskets (i.e., used it for grocery shopping). 80 lb.? Do you really anticipate putting that much on? I would think it would be fine, but that seems a little heftly. If you had threadedf ugs, you'd have a 4 or 5 mm screw in the lugs and you wouldn't think twice about the load. I think the P-clips will be fine.

Most hardware stores carry them - sometimes found in the plumbing section, near the flexible water connectors.

What you want are called P-clamps. Most Home Depot stores have them in their Electrical/Coaxial cable dept. They are listed as Rubber Insulated clamps. They have 1/2", 5/8", and 1". You could also try your LBS. Here is a site that sells them if you want to pay $6 for shipping.
http://www.wallbike.com/accessories/pclamps.html

Does anyone know if the hardware store P-clips, or the Tubus adapters will be strong enough to handle the full 80lb load rating of the nice rack? Or are there tougher alternatives, short of finding someone to add eyelets to the bike?

Thanks.

The shear & tear rating of the steel used in P clips is well above anything a cyclist would put on them
in a lifetime. So you're good!:thumb: