Santaria

My commuter: https://www.davesbikes.com/DelSol03velozts.jpg

I'm not sure of a couple things, which clearly I'll need to identify and know before I start purchasing racks and panniers.

Is this frame/fork even rackable? There appears to be nothing on the fork to indicate that it would be, and on the rear there are two hex screw points on the outside (could be for fenders) and there are two extra holes on the dropouts that apparently could be for racks, but I really don't know.

So, the first question is, how do I tell if this is capable of holding racks?

The second part of this is that I've looked at Nashbar and Performance bike and they've got a few options, but nothing that stands out to me (or makes sense for the cubic space vs. cost).

I'm trying to stay under $100 for the rear rack and panniers (I'll worry about the front afterwards).


Other than that, I guess its time to start looking at professional grade messanger bags if I don't find something that makes me happy.

Walkafire

I have an old old old Blackburn rear rack...looks like this one:
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

I Bet you can find it cheaper somewhere else? eBay?

jomconra

I bought my rack on clearance from Nashbar and bought my panniers from Arkel, www.panniers.com.

roadfix

You can easily find a rear rack and a set of panniers for under $100. You bike looks like it has rear eyelets.....at least on the top that I can see.

Walkafire

is that "The Bug" by Arkel? Thought those run about 125.00?

My feet are too dayum big for that one... I likes it though... but I would spend over 200.00 between a oversized rack and The Bug

jomconra

I bought my Bug just before they came out with the new design so it was slightly discounted, total for rack and Bug was around $130. Arkel makes their panniers adjustible enough for me to move it to the back of the rack so my feet clear it. Notice that there is little clearance in my picture.

Walkafire

size 13.5 feet here

I have tried The Bug...Like I said, I really like that lil backpack/pannier....BUT...t'ain't gonna happen...I know there are longer racks, but I am happy enough with my old Kirtland Panniers for now...

milank

I got the Blackburn Expedition Rack and the Arkel Utility basket for a little over $100. I couldn't be happier with the set up and I've used it every day for the past two months. I also have a Nashbar Townie basket for anything extra ($14.00 on sale).

It looks like there are rear eyelets on the back (or should). You may not need a front rack if you don't plan on touring or that you carry more than what a rear rack would hold.

MichaelW

Your bike can take a rear luggage rack and fenders. The threaded hole by the rear axle can be used for both but place the rack next to the frame and a fender on the outside, using a stainless steel M5 allen bolt if suitable length.
Your forks cannot take a rack but don't worry, you only need this for major camping expedion style touring, not commuting.
The Blackburn style of rack, made of fully triangulated Al rod is ideal. The design is so good that even the cheap copies work well.
Cheap panniers are rubbish. They flop around, wear out, are fiddly to attach and can bounce off.
Get ones with thick material, lightweight stiffening boards, and a quick-release mounting system rather than hook and elastic. many commuters use a single pannier most of the time, it doesnt upset your balance.

jbone

I just bought a blackburn rack and it had additional hardware to mount it in case you don't have the eyelets. There were four metal rings with rubber around them. You put them around your seat stays and then hook the rack to them. You can find the same parts at home depot if they don't come with your rack. It's very sturdy and I'm happy with it.