Touring - No brazeons and Campagnolo style dropouts...

I was at my LBS today (I'm sort of a newbie) and i was asking for advice on puting a rear rack on my 1988 Centurion Ironman frame that has no brazeons. One of the first things he asked me is "Do you have Campagnolo style dropouts?" I didn't quite understand what he was asking, I asked him to clarify, he described a angled, notch cut out....I said "no".

Then when I got home and looked at mine I thought "Oh...is that what he was talking about?"
(see pic)

If what I have are Campagnolo style dropouts, are there other options for me besides clamp on brazeons for the lower supports? Or are there other concerns? He also asked me what kind of frame material my bike was (Tange #1).

http://users.crpud.net/dim/dropout.jpg

You can bolt through that little triangle in the picture. Just make sure you use washers so the bolt doesn't fall through the hole. Also you may have to use a low profile headed bolt to fit between your cassette (gears) and frame depending on the room. One of the miyatas we own has the same type of set up and my wife has travelled many miles loaded with that set up

You can bolt through that little triangle in the picture. Just make sure you use washers so the bolt doesn't fall through the hole. Also you may have to use a low profile headed bolt to fit between your cassette (gears) and frame depending on the room. One of the miyatas we own has the same type of set up and my wife has travelled many miles loaded with that set up


Ooo ooo Ooo...I would PAY to see pictures of your wife's setup! I've been struggling with a rack setup for some time now and getting kind of frustrated.

Ooo ooo Ooo...I would PAY to see pictures of your wife's setup!

Just picture it in your mind...... :D

I like GTscottie's idea. Makes good sense.

Sounds like you found out what Campy style dropouts are...

Simply solution, buy a (round) rubber grommet and stuff that into the triangle, then use a simple bolt and nut throught the rubber grommet and use that. I do that on my road commuter bike (a Lemond Zurich) with an n'ero pack/rack on it.

The only thing with this is on the drive side, you're going to have to find a really short nut and bolt so you don't interfere with the cassette. A too long bolt or nut may prevent you from using the smallest cog, if that affects you at all. I was lucky and found one that fits perfectly, however, one can either cut a longer bolt to size or find one that works.

You can buy a specific adaptor, I think Blackburn makes one but a rubber grommet from a hardware store also does the job...

Jay

Another option would be to use Tubus QR Adapter (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tubus_racks.asp). I'm not sure if it only works with Tubus racks or not though.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/products/Racks/tubus_schnellspanner.jpghttp://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/products/Racks/tubus_schellenpaar2.jpg

Sounds like you found out what Campy style dropouts are...

Simply solution, buy a (round) rubber grommet and stuff that into the triangle, then use a simple bolt and nut throught the rubber grommet and use that. I do that on my road commuter bike (a Lemond Zurich) with an n'ero pack/rack on it.

The only thing with this is on the drive side, you're going to have to find a really short nut and bolt so you don't interfere with the cassette. A too long bolt or nut may prevent you from using the smallest cog, if that affects you at all. I was lucky and found one that fits perfectly, however, one can either cut a longer bolt to size or find one that works.

You can buy a specific adaptor, I think Blackburn makes one but a rubber grommet from a hardware store also does the job...

Jay


Fantastic! I just called one of the LBS and they have one of the Blackburn kits in stock, only $4 for a pair! Thanks a lot everyone!

What's the max load I can expect to carry on a setup like this (using the blackburn kit)?

Honestly, don't know, but I have commuted to work on my Lemond for about 1.5 years until I found a dirt trail and then started to use my MTB. I still use my Lemond with my grommets on occasion and I'll still run errands and do some grocery shopping on it. I would not be afraid to put 20-30lbs on the setup. Commuting wise, I don't think I ever had more than 10lbs in my bags but it would probably be better than alot of those seatpost racks and they usually only have a 25lb limit or so...

Worst come to worse, the rubber grommet breaks or so, but the frame is still there and if you do use a washer (you should) it wont come lose. Might also try to contact Blackburn to see if they have a professional opinion..

jay

Bad news...I got the Blackburn kit, there's not enugh room between the inside of the dropout and the smallest cog for the nut/bolt to fit. And no, I can't just get a shorter bolt...the nut or the head of the bolt would have to be about as thin as a dime in order for it to work. Shucks. If i went with the clamps...how much weight can you expect to carry w/o danger?

Ooo ooo Ooo...I would PAY to see pictures of your wife's setup! I've been struggling with a rack setup for some time now and getting kind of frustrated.

Last time I said that I think I got knocked out.

Sorry to hear that DL, here's a thought, I knew I was thinking this long time ago when I installed mine, but I didn't mention. Have you perhaps tried to thread the bolt the other way? Put the head of the bolt (skinniest head you can find) on the inside of the dropouts and put the nut on the outside? Therefore you might be able to find a skinnier head than a skinnier bolt.

Just an idea, since you wont be taking this on and off too much (are you?) it wont make it too hard to remove the wheel before taking off the rack.

What do you mean by the clamp? You talking about a P-clamp, something that will wrap around a seat or chainstay and you put a bolt into that? I think something like that would allow for a bit more weight, but that is just a layman's opinion. I've never had to use one so far and at this point, I'll never will cause any more bikes I'll buy will have brazeons for racks on them :)

Jay

I would then go with khuon's suggestion (post #6) using the skewer mount. They also have very nice 'P' clamps shown on that same webpage. Either mounting system should work well, but after seeing how nice their clamps are, I personally would go with the clamps. The skewer mount is a bit of a hassle when time comes to removing your rear wheel to fix a flat. I have a skewer mounted rack on my mountain bike frame.

Last time I said that I think I got knocked out.


LOL :p