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Do you run a rack on your folder?

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Do you run a rack on your folder?

Old 01-20-14, 11:57 PM
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Do you run a rack on your folder?

I have gone back and forth a couple times with a Arc Rear Rack (ie not the aluminum) on my Dahon Speed D7 and I am curious if you guys run a rear rack on your folder and why.

I don't commute on my folder and only occasionally fold. I haven't found a use for the rack and if anything it hinders (not greatly) its ability to fold. I haven't bought panniers either but given how the dahon folds, I don't know if I would buy two. I basically use the bike for mixed travel or when there is no bike rack. My only reservation for ditching it entirely is if I need it.

So do you guys use your racks on your folders, and if so why?
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Old 01-21-14, 09:42 AM
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I do regularly use my rack, but it's a seatpost rack:



I use it for one or two panniers and find it works well (as long as I've clamped it down tight enough). It's very easy to pop off if I don't want it. It claims a weight limit of 10 Kg.

I find that it's a great choice for those of us who don't want to "permamently" add a rack (or those who don't have the mounts).

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Old 01-21-14, 10:28 AM
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My bike came with one, don't really use it, and i seen the need to put one one the other bicycles. i tend to wear a back pack instead
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Old 01-21-14, 10:31 AM
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I have used a rack on my Swift but as I don't usually carry much I tend to rely on a variety of seat packs.
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Old 01-21-14, 10:52 AM
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Decided no rack on the commuter Birdy and went with a backpack instead.
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Old 01-21-14, 11:02 AM
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Bike Friday , panniers On the Front wheel .. , front bag on M3L ( had an M3R for a few years, too )
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Old 01-21-14, 02:09 PM
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It's been a long time since I had a bike without a rack. If it doesn't come with one, adding one is one of the first steps to getting a bike street-worthy. But a case could be made for a folder. Especially because I find that with the smaller wheel-base on one of my folders, combined with the low position of the rack mean that anything wider than the rack itself will cause heel strike. Still, even on the one bike of mine that still has this issue, I leave the rack on. I don't feel like it interferes with the fold, and even if it seldom does anything else, it gives me a place to put my U-lock.

I have been thinking that with my Raleigh Twenty, if I want to do some light touring on it, I may pull a trailer, rather than use panniers, in which case I might leave the rack off when I want to carry more, which is odd. But then even if I'm not intending to use it, it comes in handy. I'm commuting mostly on a full sized touring bike, and every time I think about removing at least the front rack when I'm not touring, I remember a time when it came in handy in the recent past. And when I do occasionally ride somewhere with no pannier or trunk bag, too often I find myself struggling to get home with something that would have easily been accommodated by my regular gear.

So I can see the reason for wanting to keep it light and simple, but whenever I try it, I find myself regretting the lost storage space.
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Old 01-21-14, 02:12 PM
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Loving rear rack mounted panniers. No sweaty back and I can carry work gear, kit or shopping.A bike bag is always top mounted incase of officious public transport jobsworths. Quick release Ortlieb panniers mean the fold is unaffected. If you don't need your rack good luck to you. For me its the biz.
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Old 01-21-14, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by MattCycle
... So do you guys use your racks on your folders, and if so why?
FWIW, my experience has been that, on most Dahons and Terns, a frame-mounted rear rack provides a solid lifting point for the folded bike.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA
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Old 01-21-14, 05:59 PM
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My Why(?) small wheels and their inherent low trail steering Geometry

stability works better with a load on the front end ..

of the 2 , the B front Bag works so much better than the 2 panniers .. as it pops right off..
but my bags have a D ring on the top corners . so I can stretch net stuff on top.
for more carrying capacity..
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Old 01-21-14, 07:21 PM
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Every time I have a bike WITHOUT a rack, I marvel at how light and nimble they can be but always wondering Where to CARRY STUFF ?? (I commute). Racks on almost ALL my bikes. (I've even got bikes with baskets!)


Liking that Axiom seat bag above.
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Old 01-22-14, 12:45 AM
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I use my rack all the time, but I am pootling around town doing grocery runs, not carrying the folder to a vacation location and taking long tours. I got a cooler bag from IKEA free during one grocery run there (with a good visible light green color) and strap it to the rack with the bungee cord.
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Old 01-22-14, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by MattCycle
I should clarify, it doesn't get in the way of folding but I notice more bulk. I traveled for a few months with it in my car and even in the same footprint it seemed to take up less space without it. I would ride with the lock on there but it bounces around or the roads I am on suck or maybe I'm just paranoid.
Well, it's extra parts, so it's going to add bulk and weight. No way around that. The question is, does it provide anything in return? For me, it does. I would not like to be without a rack, although it sounds like you don't use yours, in which case there's no reason to keep it on. My lock does bounce on the choppiest road, unless I bungee it on, which I often do. Otherwise I secure it to the rack by locking it through the rack. It may bounce, but it's not going anywhere. But then if that's all you are using your rack for, there are probably better ways to carry a U-Lock.


As for baskets, I have a front basket that just hangs off the handlebars. Easy on/easy off, or it would be if any of my handlebars were shaped to take advantage of it. I've often thought that might be a good accessory for occasional carrying. It could easily be left off when not desired. My only problem, apart from handlebar incompatibility, is that I frequently don't realize I'll wanting carrying capacity until after I'm on the road, so a permanent solution still works better for me.
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Old 01-22-14, 09:47 AM
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Call Me Al....do you have a Brompton? Only reason I am asking is because I have a Brompton and in the market for panniers, but I was told by some friends that the panniers might interfere with pedaling. Just was wondering if you have panniers with a Brompton and if so, did you ahve to do anything different.

Originally Posted by Call Me Al
Loving rear rack mounted panniers. No sweaty back and I can carry work gear, kit or shopping.A bike bag is always top mounted incase of officious public transport jobsworths. Quick release Ortlieb panniers mean the fold is unaffected. If you don't need your rack good luck to you. For me its the biz.
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Old 01-22-14, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by zebede
Every time I have a bike WITHOUT a rack, I marvel at how light and nimble they can be but always wondering Where to CARRY STUFF ?? (I commute). Racks on almost ALL my bikes. (I've even got bikes with baskets!)


Liking that Axiom seat bag above.
The Axiom on my Swift is handy but doesn't hold much. It will take a waterproof jacket and a couple of inner tubes plus multi tool and the odd snack but not much more. I don't need to carry a lot for my leisure rides so it works for me. It is well made.

https://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.ph...=75365#p658920

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Old 01-22-14, 03:27 PM
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there are wings that hang below beam racks to stabilize a small pannier ,

and even some bags made with 'spaniel ears' for more capacity ..


the scheme some people used was stand a Backpack up

on their Brompton Rear Rack.. and secure the bottom of it far enough Back
so as to not Kick It.

Another Bromptonaut , Used the front Touring bag and a Camper long flap
Carradice saddle bag .. without a rear rack ..

I snagged A Carry Freedom City.. Bike trailer before the Scottish company
changed the distribution deal with their only US retailer .

It folds FLAT . bag comes out with 1 buckle.

Last edited by fietsbob; 01-22-14 at 03:36 PM.
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Old 01-22-14, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ever1ast15
Call Me Al....do you have a Brompton? Only reason I am asking is because I have a Brompton and in the market for panniers, but I was told by some friends that the panniers might interfere with pedaling. Just was wondering if you have panniers with a Brompton and if so, did you ahve to do anything different.
I'm a Dahon Mu. No experience of a Brommie I'm afraid.
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Old 01-22-14, 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
My Why(?) small wheels and their inherent low trail steering Geometry

stability works better with a load on the front end ..

of the 2 , the B front Bag works so much better than the 2 panniers .. as it pops right off..
but my bags have a D ring on the top corners . so I can stretch net stuff on top.
for more carrying capacity..
This has not been the case for my R20. I have both a front and rear rack. The rear can take much more load without affecting the handling of the bike. It may be because the front rack weight is carried by the front wheel.

Last edited by Schwinnsta; 01-22-14 at 08:03 PM. Reason: Added content
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Old 01-22-14, 08:17 PM
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Now that our local mass-transit system allows regular bikes on at all times the main uses for my folder are for touring or to take along on vacation trips for a variety of functions. In either case a rack is necessary - to carry my camping gear in panniers in the first case and to carry shopping items in the second. But I don't see the issue - it only takes a minute to undo the four allen head bolts securing the rack. So if you don't want to have it by all means take it off.
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Old 01-22-14, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Call Me Al
I'm a Dahon Mu.
wow.
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Old 01-22-14, 11:08 PM
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My dahlin' loves her loaded Twenty. I don't dare talk specs with her or any discussion of weight - LOL.
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Old 01-22-14, 11:17 PM
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.... and my folder w/ rear rack
Combo soft trunk / pannier from fleabay China cost $14 delivered! The company makes for private label. Love it-

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Old 01-23-14, 01:47 PM
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The seat post rack with side drops for panniers is a good mix. You can add small top bag (Axiom) or saddle bags(Louis Garneau) or both. The whole thing is easily removable and can stay on the bikes when folded. Shown are my black Giant Halfway and wife's white Expressway. We find racks are a must for travel and daytrips.




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Old 01-23-14, 01:53 PM
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I could have ordered my Brompton with a rack;
but prefer to use the front block to carry a bag.
Most of the time I just stuff my tools/snacks/
water bottle in my jersey pockets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt5Mz...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
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Old 01-26-14, 12:56 PM
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I guess I'll be the exception in this thread. When I bought my Birdy, it had a rack on it, but I removed it because I never use it and I prefer a backpack or messenger bag.
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