PaddyBeer

I just ordered a SPecialized Sequoia Pro (closeout prices now in effect for what is left of this 2004 model) and wanted to find a light weight but durable rear rack. I was told that there are some high end ones out there made of titanium. Does anyone have a link for such items?

Thanks.
Kevin
Buffalo, NY

grolby

My goodness, WHY? Titanium is a pretty silly material to make a rack out of. You're going on tour, not racing in Le Tour. Your standard aluminum rack by any quality manufacturer IS lightweight but durable. Don't waste your money on titanium novelty racks! It will be neither much stronger nor much lighter than a rack made out of aluminum, or even steel (which is actually harder to find). Get a Blackburn, or a Jandd. You won't be disappointed.

MichaelW

The best lightweight rack is the Tubus Fly.

https://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...p?pid=70&cid=3

KrisPistofferson

Listen to them. Wanting a titanium rack for touring is like ordering a whiskey and DIET Coke. Don't be one of those people.

PaddyBeer

Thanks so much for the feedback. I do not care what the rack is made out of , as long as it is the lightest one that can do the job. What can I say, it is a carry over mentality from my backpacking obsession.

Now, how about a pump? :-)

Bolo Grubb

Camel

I agree, a Ti rack might be going a bit too far!

MOOTS does have a seatpost Ti saddle bag support though, maybe for folks doing semi supported/credit card touring. Perhaps not that bad of an idea for ultralite road bikes (which can't handle much added weight).

biodiesel

hey! I like whiskey and diet coke. Yes, i still get the sugar from the whiskey but the regular coke is like 300 calories... (whine whine)

So, though i get the point, to this analogy it would be buying a heavy Topeak rack with the spring clasp for a light trunk bag...

But i agree. The only bags light enough to go on a titanium rack don't need a rack. If you're packing more than 8lbs the weight of a light alu or steel rack is negligable. If you're less than 8 lbs use a post rack/ bag combo or a large saddlebag.

I'd like a light saddlebag for the days when i'm carrying a bulky but light warm clothing. Mostly we'll just cram into a stuff sack and bunjee to a rack or lash to the seatpack.

waltergodefroot

Here ya go:

Now that everything is carbon, does titanium qualify as retro?
While an array of manufacturers has been touting the wonders of carbon this and carbon that, some remain committed to the lightweight elegance of titanium.
Bruce Gordon said he's finally tired of making elaborate "show bikes" for the trade show and decided this year to make a bike that he wanted."You put a lot of time and effort into those things and then you never end up selling them, anyway," said Gordon. "This time I figured I'd bring a bike that I will end up riding myself... and it's my town bike I use the most." One thing Gordon noticed about his old town bike is that despite the Gordon racks it sports, he always found himself "looking for bags or panniers to put on."

So this time, he built himself a custom set of (gulp) titanium bike baskets for his newest ride.

Not for sale, Gordon simply asked "what kinda car do you drive?" when pushed for a price if he were to produce the lightweight utilitarian accessories. The titanium wires in the mesh are individually attached.

"I have somewhere around 500 individual 1mm holes drilled into the frame," he said. Each wire end was then welded from the outside and ground down and polished off.

For photos go to:

https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/7067.0.html

Magictofu

That reminds me of an old joke we use to make about a carbon kickstand.

What will be the next trendy materials? What will replace kevlar, carbon and titanium on those unaffordable bikes?

womble

Magnetic monopoles.