donheff

My wife and I have a Topeak MTX tubular racks on our old bikes. They have side rails that accommodate the panniers on our large 22L trunkbags. We recently got steel light touring bikes that we will normally ride with little seat bags but we want to get beam racks for times when we need to drag along more stuff. I see that Topeak has type A beam racks that should accommodate our existing bags and are rated to 20 pounds. They also offer what appears to be attachable side rails.

I have never used a beam rack and that leverage makes me queasy. My questions -- Are these sturdy with up to 20 pounds and no support down below? Are the hanging rails steady enough to stay away from the wheels? It makes sense to use our existing bags if they won't present problems.

dsbrantjr

I am very skeptical of the ability of a single point support to reliably resist the twisting moments imposed by any significant loads. There have been numerous posts where folks complain about such racks twisting around.

Your touring bikes should have eyelets for proper racks; once you have fitted them they should come on and off quickly and easily without any worries about them going into the spokes during use. I just leave them on. I have had great results with Planet Bike Eco Racks, there are lots of others to choose from.

Looigi

My wife and I have used them on aluminum seat posts without problem. However, for our new bikes with CF seat posts we use the Arkel Randonneur Rack which hangs off the the seat rails and is held in place against the seat mast with a rubber pad and velcro strap.

https://www.arkel-od.com/us/arkel-randonneur-rack.html

HillRider

I used a beam rack a few times for very light loads when I needed to have extra clothes on a century ride with unpredictable weather but the total load was under 5 pounds. Even at that the clamp had to be very tight to keep the rack from pivoting sideways. On a reasonably heavy wall aluminum seatpost that was ok but i weould be very concerned if it was used on a thin wall aluminum post or, particularly, on a carbon post.

LarDasse74

I have instaled a few seatpost mounted racks on customers' bikes and found it is hard to keep them from moving, especially when bumped, not so much while riding. But 22 lbs is actually quite a lot for a seatpost mounted rack to carry, and if the bike is tipped over (like when mounting the bike) that weight might pull the rack to the side. If you manage to mount the bike without the rack moving then you will probably finish the ride without it moving.

However, I always thought seatpost mounted racks were intended for bikes that had no other rack mounting options - full suspension MTBs and racing bikes with no eyelets. Your bike has rack eyelets precisely so you don't have to worry about sub-optimal rack-mounting configurations.

Burton

Beam racks are all intended for light loads. I've used them myself (including a Topeak model with side rails for an expandable trunk bag) and they're fine for a day trip. Never attempted to load it to 20 lbs, and really don't think it'll take that day in and day out as you would do in loaded touring. The rack pivoting could be an issue.

I tend to use the same rationale as in a car. Just because the tachometer redlines at 10,000RPM doesn't mean its a great idea to drive at 9,000RPM all day.

Yo Spiff

I have a Performance seatpost rack I use on my road bike in the winter to carry extra layers and occasionally to tote my camera. It's not a huge load and works just fine. I did try a Topeak rack one time and had to return it because I could not get it to hold tight no matter what. I think there was a larger spacer missing, but the shop insisted everything was there.

I do know one person who has the topeak rack with side braces so he can carry his gear commuting on a road bike. Seems to hold up just fine, but I don't think he carries much other than some clothes and normal commuter stuff.

FBinNY 

If Topeak rates them to 20#, that's what they can safely carry. It's important that the post is securely tightened in the frame, so that the rack can't swing across if bumped. IME these never move when riding, so it's just a matter of checking before you start out.

As for the accessory side frames. These are about 8" deep and intended only for the fold out panniers used on some Topeak trunk bags. If you have separate mini panniers, they're probably OK too, but stay within the size and weight limits.

I wouldn't suggest a beam rack if you're looking for a carrier for everyday use, but they make great sense for an occasional use option on a light bike.

Drew Eckhardt 

Speaking from experience, the Topeak rack frames are not strong enough to keep a 15 pound Arkel Commuter pannier out of the spokes.

None of the three other (Delta Post Porter quick release, Axiom, Transit) beam racks I tried had a clamp small enough to clear my thighs so I gave up on the concept.

donheff

Thanks for the replies. I don't intend to use the rack regularly, just a seat bag with a tube. But, when my wife and I go out for a lunch ride, I like to carry a large cable lock and, if we ride where we will be a long way from help, I like to carry extra tools and stuff. We also occasionally do overnights to a B&B and pack some light clothes and toiletries for the evening. Nothing would bring us up to 20 pounds. We have permanent MTX racks on our current bikes and they and the accompanying bags work fine. But I don't want permanent racks on the new bikes both because, as I mentioned, we will generally not use the racks and, additionally, we have S&S couplers and the racks won't fit in the cases with the bikes for a plane trip. I expect it would be more little more difficult to add a full rack with side supports to our cloths suitcases than to toss in beam racks. I guess I need to take a look at these things and see how well they will do. They have them at REI in several styles -- I will report back after I check them out.

LarDasse74

If you have a normal 'permanently mounted' rack, thjese can generally be added or removed in about ~2 minutes if your bike has eyelets at the dropouts and on the seat-stays... once the front stays are installed and adjusted to fit your bike, you need only remove the screws and put the rack aside until next you want to use it, then place the rack in its position, install 4 screws, and you are off ot the races... or randonees!

HillRider

Yeah, that was a also problem with the Blackburn rack I have. It came with a qr clamp and the nut and flag both hit my thighs while pedaling. I replaced the qr with a smaller bolt and nut and that helped but I still felt it occasionally.

ksisler

If you can tolerate a short answer and best intentions, it will offer one; Please don't do that! And if you do, try your best to not do it with a combined bag + contents weight over 5-6 pounds. Those big 22L bags are for another day and/or another bike until such time as you mount some proper touring racks. If not, then I see handling concerns, broken seatpost concerns, and broken frame concerns. Hope that helps.

donheff

That does cause some concern. Thanks.

donheff

I weighed the bag with the chain and junk I normally drag along - 7 pounds. But your caution does make me think that if I go this route I should use a smaller bag so I won't be tempted to overload. There is a lot of room in the big bags. If we ever take the bikes for a few days tour in this area it would be quite easy to pull the full racks off our old bikes and put them on the new ones. Then we could load to our hearts' content.

leob1

I have one on my AL seatpost, my wife has one on her CF seatpost. She carries a lot more stuff than I do, usually in the 10+lbs range. It does not rotate on the seatpost. The clamp leaves no marks on the seatpost. You put way more stress on the seatpost by riding and hitting bumps than the rack ever will. I wouldn't worry about anything you put on the racks hurting the rack or you seatpost or your bike. I can't speak to having the hanging rails, or putting your bags on the beam rack. I wouldn't feel comforable doing that and would prefer a full rack.

goldfinch

This is kind of pricey but I like the integrated bag and rack. It easily clicks on and off. It stays put. The mount does not get in the way of my seat bag which I use on most rides. It will carry 2kg, not including the weight of the bag. So it may be borderline for you. The bag itself is very light.

https://www.velofred.com/klickfix-con...aul-p-453.html



(Hey don, I know you from ER.org )

donheff

They look pretty nice. I looked at Topeak beams this morning and picked up an A Type. It fits my bike well and will take my existing bags. Per cautions mentioned here I will not load it up but will stick to my normal day-pack kit which I can limit to 5 or 6 pounds; less if I switch to a lighter lock. I won't normally need the beam at all since a saddle bag will do for most rides. I don't anticipate many overnights with more gear but I can always attach the full rack from one of our other bikes if I need it.


Yes, there are a few of us here. Not a surprise that we ER.org retirees might end up kicking the riding up a notch and gravitating to the 50+ Bike Forum. Or, vice versus for 50+ers who would like to drop out of the work world.