silvermace

I was looking online for an attachable rear bike rack when i found this one:
Axiom Journey, 150lbs, 550g, Black

I saw this one especially amazing because the carrying capacity is 150lbs! All others range from about 25-90lbs, not enough for a human being.

What i was wondering is if any of you know if the Axiom Journey could really support 150lbs, and if there is a better rear bike rack that can hold as much or more. Preferably enough for a teenager so 130-180? something like that

norwood

I don't know if this rack will really carry 150lbs. or not, but I would say carrying an adult human (not a child in a childseat) on a bike rack would be a bad idea. They're not designed for that. I would not carry 150lbs. of anything on a bike rack, even if it would hold it.

operator

You're thinking of carrying a body on a bike rack? Wtf?

10 Wheels

a teenager

Al Criner

Are you comfortable with the idea of putting a 150 lb person on a rack that is attached with 4 5mm bolts? Actually, I would like to see pictures of your bike with stays and dropouts that are meant for that load.

Sci-Fi

Need to add axle pegs for safety reasons and passenger comfort...and that means nutted axles instead of QR. Also have to remember that the front end/steering is going to be light with all that weight on the rear. I hauled about 3-4 sand bags at a time (50 lbs each bag) and it's an interesting ride, esp if the load isn't even or in a turn. Have a Topeak rack w/u-lock with fold-out grocery baskets attached, so it was technically being used well beyond its rated capacity of 55lbs, but the rack held up fine. To be honest, I was more concerned about the tires/tubes holding up.

silvermace

actually....

i've seen lots and lots and lots of people doing it in china/japan/other asian countries. Its all over the place! america is the only place that doesn't have it from what i've seen 0.0

they actually work...

HillRider

They don't have the liability lawyers we have. Maybe that's why it works. I think that 150 pound figure is a typo.

You want to carry another person on the back of your bike, get a tandem.

LarDasse74

As above, the rack may carry 150 lbs but the bolts probably will not.

Just be ready to stop if one of the bolts lets go.

I say go for it!

joejack951

The two M5 screws at the dropouts can easily bear a 150 lb. load. Their combined shear strength is around 2400 lbs. The little ears on the dropouts and the vertical struts on the rack are the likely failure points. If you were able to keep the load perfectly centered on the rack, you might have a chance but that's not likely to happen. Once that load starts trying to twist the rack, it won't be long before it buckles under the weight.

prathmann

So the bolts on this rack:


must be just about to fail?

This is a very common sight in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and many other European cities. And I don't remember ever witnessing any mechanical failures resulting from such 'overloading'. Nor did the racks look particularly sturdy compared to many that are available in the US. The rack on my touring bike that I bought from Nashbar for a little under $10 supports my full weight without any trouble - but I certainly wouldn't want that much weight on it during an extended tour.

mraeryceos

Maybe those bikes are built with beefier bike rack bolt holes?

SkyDog75

I have Axiom Journey racks on two bikes. I like them. They're pretty sturdy for their weight and carry loaded panniers (bags) with no problem. I tend to err on the safe side, though, so I wouldn't count on them to support a person's body weight for an extended amount of time. I can think of too many possible failure modes for me to trust it, such as:

• If one of the rack's aluminum legs gets dinged, nicked, or bent, it'll compromise the rack's strength and possibly dump your passenger.
• If the rack isn't screwed into the dropout well enough, the attachment could fail -- especially if the dropout is aluminum and possibly prone to strip.
• If you're riding on roads that aren't smooth, the rack may not be capable of carrying its full rated capacity. Thorn's web site, for example, states that loads on their racks shouldn't exceed half their rating if riding on rough surfaces like ripio (gravel).

On the other hand, I did plenty of things more dangerous when I was younger and less aware of my mortality.

HillRider

Zombie thread. You guys just resurrected a six year old thread. I wonder if the "teenager" the OP planned to carry still weighs 150.