Commuting - Sunlite rear rack shopping help

Hey commuters, I was hoping to get some advice on what Sunlite rear rack to buy next.

I got an Ortlieb City Biker, which I love, and a very basic Sunlite rear rack (http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=Welded+Rear+Carrier&cl1=RACKS+FOR+BIKES). But the problem I experienced is on one of my morning commutes, the bag actually swayed into my rear wheel, causing me to come to a dead stop and almost become roadkill on a major city street. Good times.

This clearly happened because of how far back my LBS and I had to install the Ortlieb QL3 mount, because I am 6' 1" tall and have giant monkey legs. Soooo, I figure I should get one of the better racks that has the additional circular support bar. But on Sunlite's site I see:

- Gold Tec HD Tourer Rack (http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=Gold+Tec+HD+Tourer+Rack&cl1=RACKS+FOR+BIKES)
- Gold Tec Sport Rack (http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=Gold+Tec+Sport+Rack&cl1=RACKS+FOR+BIKES))

Does anyone know what the difference is, besides the trivial 5 lb. weight limit difference? Also, I had my rack installed to the brake bolt, as opposed to the seat stays. Could I do that with these too? (I've got a KHS Urban Soul w/ 700x26c.)

Thanks!

:geek:

You don't either of those racks. Your bike has 16.3" chain stays, you're gonna have heel strike on just about any rack that is only about 12" long. Not sure what those Sunlite's measure at (though could prolly find that info by searching Amazon).

This is the rack that you want (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP).

You don't either of those racks. Your bike has 16.3" chain stays, you're gonna have heel strike on just about any rack that is only about 12" long. Not sure what those Sunlite's measure at (though could prolly find that info by searching Amazon).

This is the rack that you want (http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP).

Good god. Over 4,000 posts, and you know the exact length of my chain stays? I'm buying whatever you tell me to. Haha, thank you. That rack does look good, at 3 inches longer than the standard size. It's a little on the expensive side, but considering I spent almost twice as much on my bag, which is now collecting dust in my closet, it's worth it.

Good god. Over 4,000 posts, and you know the exact length of my chain stays? I'm buying whatever you tell me to. Haha, thank you. That rack does look good, at 3 inches longer than the standard size. It's a little on the expensive side, but considering I spent almost twice as much on my bag, which is now collecting dust in my closet, it's worth it.You stated your make/model of bike in the OP. I merely went to the product page and viewed the specs and geo info.

FTW, my bike has 16.3" chain stays as well. Heel strike sux.

You stated your make/model of bike in the OP. I merely went to the product page and viewed the specs and geo info.

FTW, my bike has 16.3" chain stays as well. Heel strike sux.

Ahh, okay. I had assumed you just happened to know how long they were. You could've gone along with it and acted like you were a genius. :P Either way, thanks. And yes, heel strike does suck... My bag had to be mounted as far back as it could possibly go.

Here is the Sunlite rack I use on my road bike:

http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=QRS+Touring+HD+Rack&cl1=RACKS+FOR+BIKES

It allows me to mount panniers farther back. I got it for a very low price at my LBS, and have found it to work well on my 58cm Allez Steel (with 16" chainstays). I also have a quick release Sunlite trunk bag that works nicely with the rack.

Here is the Sunlite rack I use on my road bike:

http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=QRS+Touring+HD+Rack&cl1=RACKS+FOR+BIKES

It allows me to mount panniers farther back. I got it for a very low price at my LBS, and have found it to work well on my 58cm Allez Steel (with 16" chainstays). I also have a quick release Sunlite trunk bag that works nicely with the rack.

Nice, that's another option. If I got a QR trunk bag I wouldn't even need to mount the pannier. I'm guessing you have this? http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=QRS+Commuter+Trunk+Bag&cl1=BAGS

I also have a Chrome Mini Metro messenger bag, and an Axiom Adirondack handlebar bag... but one's usually too big and hot, and the other's tiny. (That's what she said?)

are you locked into buying a sunlite brand rack? if not this Civia rack is angled way to the rear, so it should allow you to position the ortlieb farther back...I have on this rack on my bike with short chainstays and a ortlieb backroller, no heel strike whatsoever

http://civiacycles.com/components/hyland_rear_rack/

are you locked into buying a sunlite brand rack? if not this Civia rack is angled way to the rear, so it should allow you to position the ortlieb farther back...I have on this rack on my bike with short chainstays and a ortlieb backroller, no heel strike whatsoever

http://civiacycles.com/components/hyland_rear_rack/

Nah, no brand loyalty to Sunlite at all, it just happens to be the brand I bought at my LBS.

I'm pretty much just on the classic commuter quest for the "Most Perfect Bag Ever (C)", which we know doesn't exist. But it's fun to buy stuff.

Well, case closed. I found a local store that had the Jandd Expedition rack in stock, but when I got there they didn't have any and said the website was wrong. So, I decided on an unexpected but good solution. Here's the loot I bought today:

- Wald 198GB front basket: http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald198gbbasket.html
- Alchemy Goods Haversack bag: http://alchemygoods.com/haversack.html
- KnotBone bungee: http://www.niteize.com/products/knotbone-adjustable-bungee

I took it all for a test ride for a few miles and I'm satisfied. The only con? I have to balance the bike absolutely perfectly when I lock it to a bike rack or parking meter, or else it'll fall over. But I could just be a dork (I mean, an intelligent person) and get a kickstand.

The pros? I can impulsively buy a large sub and a 6 pack of beer, and carry it home without putting any of it on my back... as tested tonight. *cough*

Here is the Sunlite rack I use on my road bike:

http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=QRS+Touring+HD+Rack&cl1=RACKS+FOR+BIKES

It allows me to mount panniers farther back. I got it for a very low price at my LBS, and have found it to work well on my 58cm Allez Steel (with 16" chainstays). I also have a quick release Sunlite trunk bag that works nicely with the rack.

That's the rack I've got, too. After I got the rack, I got a matching bag (http://sunlitecycling.com/product_detail.php?short_code=QRS+Shopping+Trunk+Bag&cl1=BAGS), and really like it. I can carry a full 5L bottle of wine and two 750L liquor bottles with a little room to spare. It feels very stable even with this 10-15lb load.