veganbikes

Anyone used one or held one in their hand long enough to really review it or at least say, quality or crap? Can anyone compare it to the Topeak SuperTourist rack? I know Blackburn makes some quality racks but this is a new one and I haven't put my mitts on it yet so no real comments aside from liking the looks and the materials on the website.

I am buying a rack for a friend and she is not really doing a ton of touring but I am hoping to take her on tour and those two racks seem like the best options within what I want to do. She currently is riding a Scott SUB 30 that I got her and now I am trying to outfit it to do a bit o' touring but mostly for local riding and maybe commuting.

Thanks as always

DeadGrandpa

I just bought and received the Blackburn Outpost Front Rack, and am very pleased with the apparent workmanship and design, though I have not installed or used it as yet. All of the welds are welded on both sides, unlike the rear rack that came on my bike, of chinese branding (Nuvo, wt limit 18kg), which in places is welded only on one side. I can't compare it to the Topeak or any other; haven't seen any up close. I bought the Blackburn front rack because it accommodates disc brakes, fits 29" bikes, and you can remove the top platform of the rack if you want. Also important is the trapezoidal cross section when viewed from the front or rear, which makes the structure stronger and less likely to have lateral (side to side) distortion under a load, and the rear rack has this same basic structure. Some (rack makers who use steel tubing) will say that it is made of aluminum tubing and is trash but I think you would have to overload it to break it. 55 lbs capacity for the rear rack is a lot of weight; I can't imagine going that heavy.

veganbikes

This is quite useful. I am curious to know how you like the rack once installed.

Thanks

DeadGrandpa

Today I pretended to be a bike mechanic and installed the rack. It is solid and secure, as level as I can make it by comparing it to my truck tailgate, which is pretty level to my eye. I adjusted the rear rack just a bit and now front and rear are the same. I like it. Gimme a day or two and I will try to make a picture available (no smart phone, camera memory card reader is hiding somewhere). Hey, up 'til now, the ability to text was enough on most days.

veganbikes

I don't have a smart phone either. I only have a tablet device because I won it in a contest and ended up playing with it for a day and decided not to sell it. It actually has proven itself useful especially not paying for it. Smart phones seem to be getting bigger and bigger and I don't need a bigger phone that sucks as a phone and isn't that great as a computer. My new phone was one of those pay as you go phones and the guy selling it didn't understand why I wouldn't want other features and would want something he would have considered basic.

DeadGrandpa

I reread my original post and saw I gave the impression the front rack
has a trapezoidal construction, but that was a mistake. The rear
blackburn outpost rack is definitely trapezoidal, but the front rack is
fairly vertical until the top of the tire where it arches toward the
center flat horizontal platform. It does seem quite strong,
nonetheless.

DeadGrandpa

I reread my original post and saw I gave the impression the front rack has a trapezoidal construction, but that was a mistake. The rear blackburn outpost rack is definitely trapezoidal, but the front rack is fairly vertical until the top of the tire where it arches toward the center flat horizontal platform. It does seem quite strong, nonetheless.

Dawes-man

DeadGranpa, I'm looking forward to the photos. I'm considering getting a front Outpost and wonder how it attaches - the photos on the Blackburn site doesn't show, except for the adjustable eyelet mounts.

PS It's good to see someone else quoting Frank

DeadGrandpa

Ok, I was going to ask for your cell # so I could send pics in a text, but I saw your location and see that's not gonna happen. I will try to get my gf's computer to bluetooth my phone to get a few pics transferred to an internet capable device. I must be one of the last people in America without a smart phone. Actually, I think it's my laptop that is the problem: it's a 2006 model without bluetooth. I'll work on it today.

DeadGrandpa

I hope this helps.

Dawes-man

Yes, it does. Thank you very much, especially for the front-on photo. That really is wide.

(It's odd that Blackburn don't provide photos of their racks fitted to bikes on their site.)

Thanks again!

veganbikes

Cool. It is nice to see it. It looks swell.

mooncountry

Hey, there -- I'm researching racks and am thinking about the Blackburn Outpost front -- how's it been holding up/performing for you? Would you recommend? Many thanks!

DeadGrandpa

I have used it only 9 days pedaling on pavement, 450 miles, but it remains on the bike as a little extra 'training weight'. My impression is that it is very strong, perhaps over built and maybe overkill for ultra light touring. I can't remember the weight, but maybe 2 lbs? For heavy loads and dirt/gravel surface, maybe this is what you need. If you are doing a long, self-supported tour and carrying lots of gear, it will do the job. At less than $100, I thought it was a good buy, but I am also rehabilitating an 80's Miyata 215 ST and a 87 Schwinn Passage (both touring bikes) for pavement touring and I am putting lighter low rider (Nashbar) racks on those. My Blackburn Outpost rack is mounted on my Novara Safari, which is already on the heavy side, being built for going off pavement. The Outpost rack does have a moderate sized top platform which may be removed to save a little weight, so it does have a little versatility. Which ever rack you get, be sure to put some blue loc-tite or other type sealant on the screws threads to prevent losing critical attachment screws. Also, this rack is for bikes with disc brakes, so make sure that is what you want. Cheers and good riding! I recommend the rack, if that is the rack you need.

mooncountry

That sounds like a pretty good recommendation -- I really want a front rack with a platform, so my options are a bit limited. I was looking at the Nitto Big Rack, but don't know that an extra $100 is truly warranted (and I'm a little paranoid about it being thieved in the city). I'm also happy with a little weight/sturdiness overkill -- would rather have that than the opposite. I don't have disc brakes, but looking at the specs/copy for the rack, it sounds like it should still work anyway?

I'll probably find somewhere with a decent return policy and try it out -- thanks for the help!!