I would advise getting a quality rack because of the hardware, fit, and longevity. Cheaper racks aren't adjustable or as solid and are very much a bare to put on. For these reason I wholehearted recommend Tubus racks. They have hardware to match your bike and rack options that are all solid but offer different features. That said they do cost more but I've found them to have excellent resale value and their 30 year warranty means they'll give you a lifetime of service (and hence cost less over time).

I've compiled a chart on my website that explains the different features of the individual Tubus racks:

Tubus Rack Comparison - Features and Benefits ? Pedal Inn: Bike Camping Guide, Provisions, and Cookbook

Here is is the Tubus rack on my old Miyata 1000, circa 1981. The only difficulty I ran into with installation is that it doesn't have threaded eyelets for the rack to mount at the dropouts, so I had to track down some washers and nuts to fit the included allen bolts.


Good luck and welcome to the liberating world of racks and panniers and bike camping!