Cyclebum

Anybody else find the upturned end on the front of rear racks getting in the way? I like to shove a stuff sack under the saddle so it won't hang off the back of the rack and the stop interferes.

I cut it off, but was wondering if others have a problem with this design, and/or have a clue as to what purpose the curved up end serves. On my Topeak, it's not structural.

kayakdiver

I've had racks with that... don't have them now for the reason you mention.

tarwheel 

I think the "stop" is there to prevent seat and rack bags from interfering with your brakes and cables.

positron

its stupid, I agree. this is why I bought a tubus logo, and not a cargo. Turns out i like the lower rails too- but not for the reasons the sales marketing team came up with...

kayakdiver

Love this rack. Opens up the top of the rack... little extra room for heels if you need it and lower center of gravity. What's not to like?

positron

yeah, I agree. while the "lower center of gravity" thing isn't huge (its only an inch, but every bit helps I guess), I really love being able to open/access top-load panniers while still having stuff lashed on top.

Cyclebum

Good to know that at least one rack builder got it right.

https://www.lickbike.com/productpage....=%273584-00%27

As long as you can determine that the upturn is not significant to the structural integrity of the rack, you can take a hacksaw and get rid of it.

zoltani

My BG rack doesn't have the loop.

I always assumed it was to help with bungee cord attachment, but I don't have a problem attaching bungees to the BG

bobframe

Does anyone think the "upturns" could simply be bent down and straightened out? Or would the bending kink them, forcing you to cut them anyway?

Cyclebum

OK. Another one. https://www.bgcycles.com/racks.html

So far, only the high $$ racks. Any for cheapskates?

Cyclebum

If steel, probably, if heated with a torch. That would require a repainting of the rack. Aluminum, not by bending as it would crack. Would heated aluminum bend cleanly???

It is strange that most rack designs include this rather useless feature.

Enthusiast

I had the same issue with my rack. I welded up my own rack without one.

MichaelW

The upturn does have a use if you want to transport boxy items. You can weidge them against the upturn rather than the saddle. It is a mixed blessing so I guess a removable one would be a feature of the Ultimate rack.