ajam0153

I don't know if this rack has been discussed before. I recently purchased a xootr crossrack to use with my brompton. I got tired of wearing a backpack while riding and the brompton can't really accommodate panniers on its rear rack. I didn't want to spend money on the brompton luggage systems because they were expensive and they didn't have a bag that was large enough for my use. Xootr had this rack along with a massive bag and safety lights for under $100. THe rack fits my brompton perfectly. I would recommend this rack to anyone, especially to people with folders because our bikes are quite unique because of the folds and I think this rack will accommodate many types of folds.
https://www.xootr.com/crossrack-bike-rack.html

bendembroski

Does it interfere with the fold?

CabezaShok

im wondering the same thing.....Also, maybe its possible to install another CrossRack to the front of the Brompton......Xootr says it works on some folders, so im not sure about Bromptons. If it does, it could save us hundreds of dollars!

ajam0153

as long as the seat post is extended or the telescoping the fold isn't effected. if it is mounted on the standard seat-post it won't go down enough to lock the bike. however it is best to not mount a loaded bag to the rack while moving the seat post because of the weight (bag can carry up to 25 pounds). the rack itself weighs next to nothing. I didn't try mounting it to the front, but i think the cables might get in the way. I will post a picture as soon as i get mine back from repairs due to a recent accident.

gringo_gus

Like the idea, and would like to see a pic. A carradice saddlebag works for me on an extended seat post without affect fold. But the sweet thing about the crossrack would be its transferrability between bikes.

ajam0153

that was one huge plus point. the rack comes in 2 pieces, a metal stub which attaches to the bike and the rack itself which can be taken out with a quick release. So if you have more than one bike, you could buy multiple stubs, leave them attached to your bikes and quickly swap your rack between them.

bendembroski

I just can't get my head around the appeal of the crossrack. Maybe I'd need to use one to understand, but I'd rather use a conventional saddlebag with a QR bagman. The crossrack just looks so ungainly. I think it's the size of the cantilever from seatpost to bag... That and you need to have the load pretty high to not interefere with the fold on a lot of bikes.

Anyway, people that have 'em seem to love 'em.

ajam0153

When I was researching luggage options for the brompton, I was looking at a carradice saddle bag along with support system very similar to Qr Bagman. however, the largest carradice saddlebag that i could find had a capacity of 24L. the xootr crossbag is basically a large 30L pannier. it is waterproof (to a certain degree) so i can load stuff into a normal backpack and put the entire thing into a the crossbag when i'm commuting to work. but if I want to go on longer rides i can just stuff the crossbag with clothes, food, repair stuff, helmet and other junk. So basically, i have the option of multiple compartments of a backpack, or the non obstructive carrying capacity of brompton rack sack (https://www.cyclingmadeeasy.co.uk/pro...78589_zoom.jpg). Saddle bags stickout more to the sides than the crossbag too. I bought the cross-rack because it was designed to be used with the crossbag. and like i mentioned earlier, i can easily mount it to either of my bikes quickly. But like you said it is pretty ugly and probably isn't built as well as the more expensive saddlebag options.
Here is one on a dahon curve
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/...4af0f74b52.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEP6WyR4kc...ed+on+rear.JPG

alhedges

I use a cross rack on my BF most of the time. (I actually have two crossracks and can use one on the front and one on the back, but I don't). I have a wire basket zip tied to one of the crossracks, which is the one that I typically use, as it's otherwise hard to have an easily removable basket on a folder. (I used to use a removable rack, but that took too long to remove). The second crossrack is if I want to switch out the basket for a pannier...but in practice I find I'd rather have the basket.

It is amazing how light the crossrack is considering how substantial it is.

fwd-bwd

To me, the main benefit of CrossRack is that unlike many other quick release options it allows me to use almost any panniers available in the market. I posted a few photos of my CrossRack with different bags attached here:

https://www.stridaforum.com/forum/vie...2&t=2951#p4922

Even though I can fold my Strida without removing the rack, I always remove it regardless.

jur

fwd-bwd: What a superb description of the uses of the crossrack!

bendembroski

I've been looking at luggage options for my new / old Brompton. I'm starting out by trying one of the Brompton racks with my Ortleib panniers.

If I wanted to add a second bag, I could see the crossrack being an option. The only practical problem is that I don't used an extended seatpost, so the rack would interfere with the fold. Any thoughts on if a quick release system could be bodged?

And yes, I realise this post is in direct opposition to my earlier post on the matter. I want to like the crossrack, help me!

ajam0153

I'm assuming you use a standard seatpost. I personally can't think of quick release system that would be sturdy enough, but i think it would be easier to come up with a way to attach it to the saddle itself ( maybe using handlebar extensions of some kind). As you would have guessed if you mount it to the standard seatpost, it won't retract far enough to lock the bike when folded. you could also try to attach something to the bottom of the seatpost (https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-...nga-prod13548/) to slightly increase it's length) or the final option would be to by either a telescoping or extended seatpost.

CabezaShok

Yes, a short 30mm dia. wooden dowel, glued into the bottom of the seatpost would increase the length of the seatpost, just enough to fit the CrossRack and still lock the fold. I measured my Brompton seatpost's I.D and its 30mm. I.D=Inside Diameter.

Another plus to the CrossRack is it also fits the Xootr Scooter...i often use the scooter for short 1-2 mile runs to get groceries....i hang grocery bags off the handlebars...it works OK, but you have to slow down, or the bags swing too much...the CrossRack should work much better and can be instantly swapped to any of my 3 bikes which is a major plus to me.

Paul Braithwait

The new Rixen Kaul rack may be of use. It clips into the Klickfix brackets that 'bar bags use and can hold a variety of bags and objects.

nish2575

i'm disappointed you didn't buy the brompton luggage. luggage that doesnt' make your steering jerk and comes off incredibly quickly, and whose weight distribution melds perfectly with the brompton. yes its overpriced, but one of the best features of the bike

bendembroski

As far as I can tell you can use many standard panniers on the Brompton rack that is used for their bags. If you already have bags that want to use, this could be a good option.

However, I can see something like the Crossrack being a good way to add a second bag to the Brompton.

nish2575

but sounds like they haven't bought even the front brompton frame or luggage. i agree you can get all sorts of panniers strapped onto the open brompton frame.

the klickfix thing above is a reaction to the brompton frame, for bikes that only have a klickfix headtube plate instead of a brompton front block

Paul Braithwait

the klickfix thing above is a reaction to the brompton frame, for bikes that only have a klickfix headtube plate instead of a brompton front block[/QUOTE]

The beauty of the Rixen Kaul rack is that it can be used on any bike (front or rear) by fitting the KlickFix block (handlebar mount, seat tube bracket or Caddy bracket). I haven't tried it yet but if it is of the usual R/K quality it should be a good bit of kit.

fietsbob

I have a steel bag rack for my brompton, [new ones are nylon and aluminum]

the same sort of folded steel sheet , piece has been used to braze up a pannier support rack ,
by several aftermarket parts makers , such as Kinetics in Glasgow.

nish2575

agreed on ability to use on any bike, i use some of the klickfix stuff myself, but only because i'm not riding a brompton anymore

ajam0153

Thought I would post some pictures of the rack on my other bike. I don't have a picture of the it on my brompton because it is still being repaired. This particular bike is a 70's Schwinn world traveller made in japan. the bike is steel and starting to show rust. so over the last month I took it apart and hand painted it my self. the black areas are actually old inner tubes that i've wrapped around. the uglier the bike looks the the less likely it will be stollen......hopefully. the bike is a fixie and it is my main snow/offroad bike, since the brompton can't do either very well.

ajam0153

CabezaShok

Wow thanks for taking all these pics ajam! i think it works!

ajam0153

I fixed the photos, some of the them were reposts and were oriented properly.