Recreational & Family - Rack for Trail-a-Bike

I asked this over in the Commuting sub-forum, but got little help. It ocurred to me, after seeing so many pics of tag-alongs here, that this might be a better place to ask my question:

I have a Topeak Super Tourist Tubular Rack (w/ spring) (http://topeak.com/products/Racks/SuperTouristTubularRack_w_spri) that I was using on my Schwinn:

http://i.imgur.com/FepWYl.jpg

I just bought an Adams Trail-a-Bike for my son, and I'm wondering if this rack would work over its 20" wheel since I won't fit on the tow bike anymore:

http://i.imgur.com/yZwOil.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/V1lm1l.jpg

The Trail-a-Bike has braze-ons on the seatstays and eyelets on the dropouts, but I worry that the rack would be too tall, and the struts wouldn't be long enough to reach the braze-ons. I don't plan to load it up with heavy panniers but a nice picnic lunch from time to time would be nice, or a bag to pick up some quick groceries, yard sale finds, etc. Any suggestions?

Also, can anyone recommend a nice 20" fender to match my Schwinn's PB Cascadias?

You'll never know this you try to hook it up. If it doesn't work, Dahon makes some 20" specific racks for their folding bikes... some others may as well.

You wanna match your PB Cascadias? How's about PB Recumbent Hardcore (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/rec1000a.html) in a 20"? I'm not sure the tire width on that Adam's...

It looks like you might be able to attach the rack to the back rest. I don't think you have eyelets on the TAB but an adapter for that should not be too hard to find. If you do have any adapter problems, try The Touring Store (http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Fit%20Solutions/FIT%20SOLUTIONS%20PAGE.htm) for their Tubus rack adapters.

It looks like you might be able to attach the rack to the back rest. I don't think you have eyelets on the TAB but an adapter for that should not be too hard to find. If you do have any adapter problems, try The Touring Store (http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS/Fit%20Solutions/FIT%20SOLUTIONS%20PAGE.htm) for their Tubus rack adapters.

Good point. If Tubus don't have adapaters... you can get p-clamps from McMaster Carr in numerous sizes...

Thanks for the replies! The TAB does have the necessary braze-ons and eyelets, as I mentioned, I guess I'll just have to give it a shot and try installing it. If the struts won't reach the braze-ons then I also have the Axiom Trekk Seat Collar (http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/racks/rack-accessories/trekk-seat-collar/) pictured on my Schwinn above. I could put the OE QR collar back on and use the Trekk collar on the TAB (providing it's the same diameter, of course). I've used p-clamps for other applications, but if the struts reach the seatstays, I'll use the braze-ons. In any case, I'll try mounting it this weekend and if it fits I'll post some pics here.

Good call on the fenders, jdmitch. I considered those, but I didn't realize until I followed your link that I could purchase the rear 20" fender separately.

another sources of 20" racks...

http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/racks.htm

I used a rack that mounts just to the seatpost on my Piccolo. It looks a lot like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Ride-Haul-Rear-Bike/dp/B000AAYBVY The only issue was that the quick release was in the way when the seat was at it's lowest. I was able to thread and tap it and replace the QR with a bolt. It probably won't hold as much as a standard rack, but I'm not putting anything that heavy back there.

Thought about a seatpost rack, but the backrest clamp has already raised the seat enough that I needed to add blocks for my son to reach the pedals. Day off tomorrow, so I'll try mounting the Topeak rack.

Please post pictures if it works.