Shamrock

I plan on adding a rear rack on my old reliable Schwinn and try some touring this spring.when I buy a rack do I need to worry about fit.I m not looking to buy ,try and return.Any recommendations are welcome.

PolarBear007

Buy one that's compatible with the size of your wheels (26", 700___, ?).

On my 1990 Schwinn High Plains I have a Topeak "Super Tourist DX Disc" and it manages a ~40lb load with aplomb. I'm sure there are less expensive options (iirc, mine was ~$55) and there are certainly more expensive options, but for now I'm pleased.

bradtx

Shamrock, Search this forum using rack and carrier for several types, brands and models of racks. In general you'll want a rack with three or four vertical legs for heavier loads.

Brad

Shamrock

Thanks,by Disc that means it's for a bike with disc brakes?I m a noobie at this.

FrenchFit 

If you have bigger feet and a shorter wheelbase bike you have to worry about heel strike if you plan on using panniers. Typical for a bike that isn't a touring geometry. One solution is a rack like the Jandd Expedition, it's super long..like 17". You can hike the panniers all the way to the rear. Bad news... it's expensive, and it's big.

Vintage_Cyclist

And it scratches if you breathe on it, so good luck trying to return it!

fietsbob

Visit a Bike shop, there you can hold the rack over your wheel and see how it May fit.

PolarBear007

Yep, it's designed for bikes with disc brakes, but I bought mine thinking (maybe erroneously....) some extra clearance from the wheel would be a good thing at minimal expense (in terms of cost, weight and size).

The only concern I had was if the extended/widened mounting part of the rack (at the bottom where it bolts onto the eyelets on the dropout) which affectively moves the rack supports away from the wheel would be strong enough to support my intended loads. Sorry this is difficult to explain and a picture would do a better job..... but suffice to say with the ~40lb load it easily handles I'm confident it would support another 20lbs without too much problem.

So am I along with many thousands of others. However, you will easily learn the lingo and whatever else soon enough and will be able to help others
who are coming along in their bicycling journey as well.

I think fietsbob is giving some good advice in principle: If you can support your local, 'brick-n-mortar' bike shop that's the better solution than going with online warehouse-retailers because they/their expertise can really save you some hassle. As you probably already know, be aware the LBS is most likely going to "sell"/advise you on what they have in stock or can get in a day or two. Which again, *if* it is the right solution for your need, is probably better for you in the end (having a local bike shop/expert nearby has significant intrinsic value).

Shamrock

Thanks,the shops around here don't stock much.They always offer to order stuff but I can do that (I came here because I want it now).the last order I didn't even get what I asked for. He said the tire was on back order so I got you something similar.So now I have 2 mismatched tires on my bike.It bothers me a little but no one else on the planet knows it except you guys.thanks again I'll be getting a rack soon.then I'll plan my gap ride.The GAP trail book is ordered and I'm waiting for it like a little kid.

fietsbob

same rack used to commute with your stuff in panniers , can serve adequately to carry gear in them on a short tour.

Not able to see anything from this keyboard. so I cannot help your online shopping selection.

LeeG

Shamrock, for panniers it's good to have three struts so the panniers are less likely to wiggle.

I had one of these and liked it, the lower rail enables you to attach and remove things to the rack w/of interfering w the panniers

https://www.topeak.com/products/Racks...tDXTubularRack

I haven't used one of these but I found for my CrossCheck that it handles a load better with small panniers close together on a rack like this

https://www.blackburndesign.com/racks...l#.UxKIRX-9KSM

I'm using a discontinued Axiom rack like the above one but using ss mounting straps instead of their clunky hardware to the seat stays .

btw what kind of bike do you have? Mismatched tires are no big deal.

hueyhoolihan

ya, and now it's really buggin' me man. really buggin' me...

indyfabz

Does your frame have attachment points for a rack (e.g., eyelets)? If not, you are going to have to employ one of several alternative methods.

Shamrock

The bike with the mismatched tires is my original 35 yr old Schwinn Le Tour which I want to use as a touring bike.I agree but when I look at the bike all I see is 2 mismatched tires.Sort of when you make a mistake on a project around the house.It sticks to you only and visitors never notice it.

ClemY

As long as the frame has eyelets at the dropouts you can add a rear rack. The Tubus Cargo works well for me. It is steel tubing, quite light, has a very nice load capacity and is very adjustable to fit different size frames, with or without upper rack fittings. (Cable clamps work nicely for upper fittings.)

LeeG

$.02 when there's 3x more wear and stress on a rear tire I don't see the need for them to match

Medic Zero

Exactly. I purposely run a different tire on the rear for this reason. In fact, my front tire is red and my rear tire is black!

donalson

someone above mentioned the blackburn TRX1 rack... I just installed one on my Disc trucker... @ under $30 it's a great buy IMHO... but we'll see how it does once I get to ride it loaded

the heavy triangulation and thick tubing should keep it from swaying and keep the luggage where it belongs


the only real issue that I ran into was the chainstay mounting hardware options... I had to use the center mount strip thing that connects to the brake bridge and even that was barely short enough to get the rack flat... had I used the nice tubular rod that connects to the seat stay rack mounts it pushed the racuk would be WAY further back and at a silly angle




*ignore the front rack setup... it's not going to work on this bike it seems... but for $8 it was worth the gamble*

rumrunn6

maybe ask in C&V section?

Ramona_W

Hipster.

robert schlatte

Your Schwinn Le tour is similar to my 1980 Voyageur. I have used a Blackburn Expedition rack on it for years and it works perfectly when it loaded. Since the bike does not have attachment points on the seat stays, I use p-clamps.
it

Shamrock

I m having a problem mounting the rack I bought.The screw heads that came with the rack are getting hit by the chain when I shift from the lowest gear up.there are eyelets on the dropouts but the chain is in the way.Went to the hardware store and he closed on my arrival.Looks like Ill be trying the p clamps also.

ClemY

If the chain is hitting the bottom mounting screws, look to see if the screws are a bit too long. If they are, it is an easy fix to file or grind them to size.

rumrunn6

or use a couple washers

Medic Zero

Totes!

/ Not really. Just went crazy with the color matching...