hipster_doofus

I want a way to transport some normal people clothes and a change of shoes when I travel via bicycle. I've got two aluminum bikes, a Trek 1500 and a Giant Rincon. The road bike being of higher quality. The eyelets on the road bike make me think it's ready for whatever upgrades (namely a rack) while the MTB doesn't have anything like that.

I asked about options for the road bike at the LBS and the guy told me to forget it because my bike is too weak; like it's built for speed and handling and not weight. It's definitely easier to travel long distances on my road bike, but is it not considered a touring bike? Should I start looking elsewhere?

tellyho

Your LBS guy blew you off. You can certainly put a rack on your 1500. You might not like the way it handles, but you can do it. You can also put a rack on your Giant, it will just take a little more engineering to do so; less plug-n-play. In either case, you can buy one rack, try it on either bike, and move it over if you want to try both. Racks are pretty universal.

dabac

It's not like you're the first with such a desire. The ultimate in ease of assembly is a rack that clamps on to your seat post. It won't carry a week's worth of groceries, but (depending on climate/season) it can certainly handle a change of clothes. If you're up to a little more hands-on work there are a couple of options. One is to drill and thread your dropouts, another is to get some suitable clamps from the profession of your choice. Electricians and plumbers both have very frequent needs of clamping something round to something else, for electrical installations there are even very nice rubber clad fittings that should be able to go round your seatstays and then attach to your rack.

Well, he might be right in principle but not in proportion. A road bike IS built for speed and handling, but it still has to be strong enough to manage riders of different weights, the occasional pothole and bunnyhopped curb.
Unless you're already on the very limit of what the bike can take another 10 pounds of clothes isn't going to hurt it.
It might not be the bike to take on a self-supported ride coast-to-coast though.

It sure sounds like you could benefit from finding a better, more service-minded LBS.

If you get a traditional rack (and not the seatpost mount), consider getting a pannier instead of any old bag. They attach more securely and faster than a strapped on bag does.

HillRider

The dropouts already have eyelets so Trek obviously thought the frame was suitable for mounting a rack. Your dealer need some better training.

I've mounted racks on a Trek 1420 and a 1220 which have siimilar frames as the 1500 and there were no problems. These bikes aren't really suitable for very heavy loaded touring. For one thing, the short chainstays will let large paniers hit your heels but, otherwise, they are plenty strong enough for any reasonable load.

Most serious touring bikes have eyelets "brazed" to the tops of the seatstays for the upper mounts. I don't think your 1500 does so there are two alternatives for this;

1) Get some vinyl coated P-clamps in the appropriate diameters from any hardware store or home center and use them to clamp the upper rack mounting arms to the seatstays.

2) Use a single central bracket that mounts to the rear brake bridge using the rear brake mounting bolt. Blackburn makes racks specifically using this type of upper mount and other makes allow it too.


Agree with this completely. Paniers don't have to be huge. There are scaled down versions that carry more limited volume and weight. They are easy to use and distribute the load properly. I have a set of small Cannondale paniers that have been ideal for credit-card touring.

dabac

The OP stated that the MTB didn't have that feature. Those dropouts would probably be possible to drill and thread to take a rack.

Bacciagalupe

While adding a rack is clearly your primary concern, you should also keep gearing, fit and tires in mind.

E.g. it might be easier to put the rack on the road bike, but the gearing may be too high for some tours. Also, you might have it set up / dialed in for an aggressive riding position, which may become uncomfortable after a few straight days on the road. I'm sure the MTB has wider tires, which will also increase comfort on the road.

If you're spending 2 days on the road hopping from hotel to hotel, these aspects probably won't be a problem. For more than a week, though, it might be an issue - particularly the gearing.

HillRider

I know but he seemed to prefer using the Trek for his touring so that's what I was discussing.

BTW, the Giant Rincon is a hardtail MTB and, if the web site photo is to be believed, it DOES have rear dropout eyelets.

mrhedges

if you can find another LBS, they shouldn't be saying things like that obviously they don't understand your needs. a trek 1500 is not a touring bike but it can def handle some cargo.
Check out this site: https://www.velo-orange.com/ if you just wanted to carry a change of clothes around they have neat handlebar and seat bags. pretty stylish too. I haven't gotten anything from them but I hear good things.

hipster_doofus

Gahhhh thanks for all the help!

Week-long touring isn't what I had in mind. I've got to remember some of you guys are hard core.

Riding long distances on pavement with the shoddy soft suspension of a (cheapish) mountain bike seems like it would wear you out. This is my reason for avoiding it. Am I missing something?

A new LBS might be in order. That Velo-Orange site looks great; I'll look around. Thank you.

On a rack, panniers rather than just a bag. Got it.

The Trek 1500 has eyelets up in the seat stays and on the dropouts both.

My Giant doesn't look like any of the models in the archives. That's weird? The main tube goes straight to the rear axel, so there are no seat stays to speak of. I'll double check the dropouts when I can.

mtnwkr

I commuted with my 1500 and it was just fine. When I'd stop on the way home and slip an 18pack of bush in the pannier, it handled as if it wasn't there. You should have no problems with up to 20lbs I'd say...

hipster_doofus

personal hero.

What kind of reflective tape is that?

mtnwkr

Just some tape I've had laying around for 10 years or so..

hipster_doofus

Okay I'm ******** because I just got home and the Giant has two sets of holes. As for the seat stays:

HillRider

If you really want to mount a rack on this bike, you could use a P-clamp around the seat tube just below the seatpost clamp and the central single bracket I mentioned above.

BTW. your Trek 1500 is even better equipped to handle a rack than I thought. It's predecessors didn't have the seat stay threaded fittings yours does.