Touring - Racktime Rear Racks

I currently have a hybrid that I've installed a Racktime AddIt rack on that I use for light commuting. So far it's been great with no complaints. I'm currently setting up a touring bike and saw that Racktime makes both an AddIt and a TourIt rack that seem very similar. Yes, the support rail shape is a bit different but they both have side rails (which I really like), both mount with identical hardware, and both have the same rated weight capacity. It appears that the TourIt is about a half pound heavier and a bit more money, although not a significant amount.

Is there a performance, quality, or functionality difference that I'm missing? Any input or comments would be appreciated.

I can't examine the TourIt because no one around here sells them so they would have to be ordered.

BTW...I'm not using the hybrid for touring because it weighs +/-40 lbs. with the rack on it and it's a load to go up hills even with its mountain gearing. I'd also prefer drop bars for longer distances.

Thank you.

I think they are Aluminum.
Tubus line is Steel; Cro-mo, stainless... & Ti.
there are plenty of older solid Al rod racks made in the 70's still in service..

I have a racktime rack on my Surly Disc Trucker and love it. Lightweight, full featured and high weight capacity. The ONLY reason I would switch to a steel rack is if I were to do a tour in the middle of nowhere for repair reasons.

He's not asking to compare Racktime racks to steel racks, he wants help comparing 2 Racktime racks...

Looking at the Tour-it, I think it would support panniers better than the Add-it thanks to the third vertical tube. The platform also looks wider on the Tour-it, which is nice for strapping stuff on it, but can't say for sure without measurements... In case you would care, the Tour-it also has pump pegs for a mini-pump (I wouldn't care).

A potential downside to the Tour-it lower rails is the length: you can only install panniers with a hook distance (outside-outside) of up to 165mm, which is not a lot. My Ortlieb currently needs 220mm of space to hang them and that's not at the widest (most stable, bag friendly) setting at all. The widest setting possible on my Ortlieb Backpacker Classic panniers would need about 275mm. No data for the Add-it though, so difficult to compare, but the pictures do give the impression that there's more space on the lower rail on the Add-it.

Somewhere I have seen measured drawings of the Racktime Racks. Can't find them at the moment, but I have printed copies at home that I will check on when I get a chance. I suspect the Tourit rack has the extra bracing to keep the bags steady and "may" mount the bags a bit further back to avoid heel strike.

Aaron :)

I currently have a hybrid that I've installed a Racktime AddIt rack on that I use for light commuting. So far it's been great with no complaints. I'm currently setting up a touring bike and saw that Racktime makes both an AddIt and a TourIt rack that seem very similar. Yes, the support rail shape is a bit different but they both have side rails (which I really like), both mount with identical hardware, and both have the same rated weight capacity. It appears that the TourIt is about a half pound heavier and a bit more money, although not a significant amount.

Is there a performance, quality, or functionality difference that I'm missing? Any input or comments would be appreciated.

I can't examine the TourIt because no one around here sells them so they would have to be ordered.

BTW...I'm not using the hybrid for touring because it weighs +/-40 lbs. with the rack on it and it's a load to go up hills even with its mountain gearing. I'd also prefer drop bars for longer distances.

Thank you.


I have the RackTime TourIt on my hybrid. I did a short three day tour with a pair of Ortlieb Classic rear rollers and had no problem installing the rack or mounting the panniers. My buddy has the RackTime AddIt rack and had a set of Vaude panniers on it. He didn't have any problems, either. Is the TourIt still available in the US? It seemed like it disappeared from a lot of vendors websites.


Somewhere I have seen measured drawings of the Racktime Racks. Can't find them at the moment, but I have printed copies at home that I will check on when I get a chance. I suspect the Tourit rack has the extra bracing to keep the bags steady and "may" mount the bags a bit further back to avoid heel strike.

Aaron :)

Racktime used to have the plans for all of their racks on their website, but it looks like they're gone now.

I have an accessory on my TourIt - a spring-loaded clip on the top called a ClampIt (Jed? Jethro?). http://www.racktime.com/product.php?xn=30 I like it because I can place a folded jacket or other stuff under it without actually having a pannier on the rack. I never found an air pump that would fit on the pegs of my TourIt. I'd like to, though.

Thank you Lasse for getting the thread back on track.

I know that the Tubus steel is better quality, but it's also 2-3 times more expensive. Anyway, Tubus/Ortlieb makes the full Racktime line so although Racktime is aluminum, the quality is excellent. I'm also not going to be doing fully loaded self contained 1000+ mile tours. I'm starting out with week long Adventure Cycling Inn to Inn tours and will work my way up from them.

The TourIt is still available at one or two sites but most only sell the AddIt.

I have Racktime TravelIt panniers with the QL-1 attachment system so adjustment to fit should be no problem.