Originally Posted by
RustyJames
Since MTBs aren’t my normal area, I’ll ask dumb question #1,341,757. Why do all early MTBs seem to be equipped with rear racks from new? BITD I thought of them as oversized BMX bikes. It’s entirely possible (100% chance) that I am way off base but I would appreciate enlightenment.
That's an easy one. None of the early MTBs came equipped with rear racks from the factory. But they did have threaded eyelets for mounting racks, baskets, fenders, or whatever other accessories you like on or near the dropouts. Unlike racing road-bikes, lightness and speed were not the primary focus - versatility and toughness were. I'm sure there were some pure racing MTBs that deleted these mounts, but now we are talking dedicated Team cross-country or downhill bikes.
So to answer your question, just about everyone I knew who bought an MTB in the early 1980s, added a rack so they could carry stuff, and most racks had the added function of preventing the skunk-stripe down your back from a wet rear tire.
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