GriddleCakes is exactly right- It's quite strange that Kona removed the eyelets from the dropouts for this year's model, which is the best option they have for commuting IMHO (at least with an IGH). They couldn't explain it to me when I got in touch with them; I think it's basically an oversight. They are still primarily an MTB brand, so they may not be fully adjusted to the commuter market.
As GC said, I don't have the option of changing the rear axle with a Tubus-style QR skewer mount. I think that the Axiom rack might be a good option, although I've gotten kind of spoiled by the MTX slide-n-click mounting system on the Topeak beam rack, and I have the Topeak trunk bag to match. Got the rack at REI, so they'll take it back no questions asked, but might be out of luck with the trunk bag. Do Axiom racks have any similar system, and what are people's favorite trunk bags (Axiom or otherwise) that would work well with the suggested Axiom rack?
Thanks for everyone's input so far!
Originally Posted by
GriddleCakes
Unfortunately, the Alfine hub he's running has a solid axle, so changing out the skewer isn't an option. Which is a bummer, because those Old Man Mountain racks are solid; I've got one on the front of my ride.
The Axiom rack that BarrackSi posted looks like it would work with the Alfine, plus it looks like it would clear the disc brake nicely and gives plenty of heel clearance for panniers. It's weird that Kona would choose to remove rear rack mounts from a bicycle that they're marketing as a commuter. The 2010 Dr.Fine had a mounting eyelet on the rear dropout, but the 2011 doesn't.