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Rear rack suggestions??

Old 08-11-08, 11:53 AM
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Rear rack suggestions??

I take delivery of my road/commuter bike late this week and need to outfit it with a simple rear rack. Any good suggestions?

Thanks - steve
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Old 08-11-08, 12:09 PM
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Offering a suggestion depends on what you're going to use it for, but this will give you some ideas
https://www.biketrailershop.com/catal...4r28g0ni02chm7
I have the Vega and can tell you Tubus makes a very nice product.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:09 PM
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Here one I'm using. I have two of them, mounted on roadbikes. One had rack eyelets (too easy!) the other took some ingenuity... I ended up using the seatstay-mount clamps that came with the rack to secure the legs, and I attached the upper mounting arms to the rear brake boss.

This rack is cheap but durable. Legs are adjustable for length, so you can attach it to a road or cross bike, a mountain bike, or a 20" BMX if you've a mind to.

Enjoy that new bike!

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?...cat%3A%20Racks
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Old 08-11-08, 12:10 PM
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Which bike did you buy? I'd make my suggestion based on what will work with your frame.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:18 PM
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Topeak makes one call "Explorer" with rails that allows thier various panniers and trunk bags to snap on to the rack portion.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:57 PM
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Get one with a bracket on the back for mounting a tail light below the plane of the top of the rack. That way you have a place to mount a tail light that would not be obscured by any big item you might have on top of the rack. Just an idea.
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Old 08-11-08, 01:40 PM
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The cheapest that fits. I can't believe what some retail stores charge!. $15. - $20. should do the trick. On-line is definitely the way to go. I also dislike how every rack needs some kind of customization. What happened to "standards". Forgive my rant, I miss the '70s I guess.

Stay away from seat-post style racks because they spin your seat-post if you don't add stabilizing supports.
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Old 08-11-08, 02:02 PM
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I recently (this weekend) added a Sunlite rack ($24.99) to my bike , but Topeak make a really nice one, as it was said their bags slide and click on. The guy at the LBS said that for the money, the Sunlites were just as good.
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Old 08-11-08, 05:50 PM
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While I like expensive racks an awful lot (I have several), I have to admit that the $18 generic alloy rack I got from my LBS two years ago has held up amazingly well. Many, many times I've carried at least 35 pounds on it with no issues whatsoever. My only complaint is that it doesn't offer much side-to-side support for panniers, but it still works.
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Old 08-11-08, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
The cheapest that fits. I can't believe what some retail stores charge!. $15. - $20. should do the trick. On-line is definitely the way to go. I also dislike how every rack needs some kind of customization. What happened to "standards". Forgive my rant, I miss the '70s I guess.

Stay away from seat-post style racks because they spin your seat-post if you don't add stabilizing supports.
I agree. Why spend $$$$$$ when $ will do a great job. I've used this rack on 3 bikes with not
a single problem. This rack can be installed on any bike using "P" clips at the front if no bolt-ons
on the frame.

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...All%20Products
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Old 08-11-08, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
Stay away from seat-post style racks because they spin your seat-post if you don't add stabilizing supports.
That isn't accurate. Mounted properly and securely, a seat post mounted rack should have no or very little swing/sway. If the seat post spins, then there's probably something wrong with the seat post collar.

I"ve had mine loaded well past it's listed limit with no ill effects such as swing/sway. I know my brother and his topeak are right up to the limit if not over. If the rack spins on the seat post, add shim(s).
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Old 08-11-08, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
The cheapest that fits. I can't believe what some retail stores charge!. $15. - $20. should do the trick. On-line is definitely the way to go. I also dislike how every rack needs some kind of customization. What happened to "standards". Forgive my rant, I miss the '70s I guess.

Stay away from seat-post style racks because they spin your seat-post if you don't add stabilizing supports.
Agreed. Crazy how tough it was to finda a rack awhile back. Last time I bought a rack was in the '80s. I went down to the store, bought a basic Blackburn rack and it just bolted on with no adjustments, no sliding things - nothin'.

I have a Bontrager I bought last year that I like. Graceful look, tab for a light on the back.
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Old 08-11-08, 08:36 PM
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Concur w/ Alathea -- I like the Topeaks because my trunk bag is so easy on/off with that sliding mount. I think they are worth a look. I favor a trunk bag, and they can be a pain to mount with all those little velcro gizmos on the non-Topeak versions.

The whole "cheapest you can find" advance is both spot on and potentially misleading. If you're just going to strap on lunch and a change of clothes, have at it. But if you plan on racking up your groceries, or commuting with a computer bag and a ton of stuff, then you might be well served to get something a bit beefier than that advice will steer you toward.

A vague question can only get you vaguely relevant answers.
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Old 08-11-08, 09:10 PM
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I love my Tubus Cargo rack. It's quite pricey, but it should outlive me. It's strong, yet surprisingly lightweight and a very simple design.
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Old 08-12-08, 12:20 AM
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Jandd Expedition Rear Rack

Jandd Rack on my Motobecane

Note: I do have a Planet Bike tail light bracket on the rack. I just need to buy another Superflash.
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Old 08-12-08, 01:33 AM
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Blackburn Crossrack its light, easy to mount, not much $. Does the job on three of my bikes.There are holes to mount a light to rack. Blackburn Mars 2 works well.
For commuting you don't need a $$$$ rack that can carry a ton of gear. Tubus makes a fine rack but for that price you can get a Blackburn rack, a rear light and a headlight.
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Old 08-12-08, 10:31 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I bought a Jamis Allegro. Its gonna be a fitness cycle to cross train with (I am a newbie runner) and also a commuter as a second priority.

steve
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Old 08-12-08, 02:12 PM
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A cheap one. The fact that the one I use was given to me helps when I have to modify it with an angle grinder to make it fit another bike.
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