Rear racks on vintage bikes?
08-06-10, 01:44 PM
#26
Count Orlok Member
I fixed up a '77 for one of my wife's friends. I'll check it when I get home. The little blue '79 I got from Khatfull has that bridge, as stated.
08-06-10, 01:55 PM
#28
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I have some that say "Jim Blackburn" on them. What should I do with them, other than use them? 
When the Blackburn rack came out, it was a breakthrough, mostly for the stiffness, as well as for the strength. The Pletscher was plenty durable, but it wobbled a lot, which was bad for handling when fully loaded. Also, the Pletscher sits too high. I didn't see many of them break, however, and the spring clip was handy.
These days, I think you can hardly buy a bad rack. They're all strong and stiff. The cheap ones are heavy, but they work fine.
When the Blackburn rack came out, it was a breakthrough, mostly for the stiffness, as well as for the strength. The Pletscher was plenty durable, but it wobbled a lot, which was bad for handling when fully loaded. Also, the Pletscher sits too high. I didn't see many of them break, however, and the spring clip was handy.
These days, I think you can hardly buy a bad rack. They're all strong and stiff. The cheap ones are heavy, but they work fine.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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08-06-10, 07:44 PM
#29
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The Pletscher's forward bracket needed support which no one ever had. As a result, they scratched your frame to smithereens and were never level for very long.
08-06-10, 11:01 PM
#30
Count Orlok Member
08-07-10, 05:15 AM
#31
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08-07-10, 06:14 AM
#32
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Yes, until about 1978, when various supports became available. The original attachment mechanism was pretty stupid.
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New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
08-09-10, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
I can't imagine a Pletscher rack failing under an 8 pound load. Thousands of tourists crossed the US with those racks loaded beyond belief. I never liked them, the stay attachment was not very good. The thing that surprised me is that you can still get a new one.
Purchased a Topeak Tourist rack, tried to keep it simple. A Tubus would've been awesome but that'd be more money on the rack than I've spent on the bike.
I appreciate all the help.
