Rear Mounted Rack Problems!!
 

I recently purchased a Kona eighty eight http://www.konabikeworld.com/08_eightyeight_w.htm and love the bike. I am very interested in putting this rack on the back of the bike, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005M9CQP6/...=dradisplay-20. The only problem is that I am sure I will not have enough clearance to mount the rack on the bike with the fender and balloon tires etc. From the mounting point to the top of the fender I would need 14" inches of clearance. Which this particular rack does not have. I have contacted the manufacturer who simply said it would not work and gave no specifics... (thanks!). I am wondering if any one has encountered this problem before or has any solutions to extending the arms/mounting point. I know that I will have to get extended swing arms to attach to the frame which I have found, now I just need a solution for the clearance problem. Please help!! I am also open to another rack of similar style. Thanks in advance.

Since this bike has 26" wheels (traditional mtb size), most racks should fit fine, even with fenders. My commuting bike has 27" wheels plus fenders, and a rack fits fine over that. The outer diameter of 27x1 1/4" tires is larger than your 26" balloon tires.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=361022

That said, if your measurement of 14" from the mounting point to the top of the fender is correct, you might not have space. On my aforementioned commute bike, it was only 13" from mounting point to top of fender, but my bike has different dropout design compared to yours, and the mounting eyelet is further away from the axle of the wheel.

I measured a few racks in my garage and they all had 13.5 to 13.7" from mounting hole to the underside of the rack. So, you may want to measure your pretty hopeful rack in-person before you buy it.

You can't blame the manufacturer. You told them you needed 14" legs, and they honestly said that their rack wouldn't fit. I don't know how they could elaborate.

OTOH, there are some racks out there with adjustable leg length, and I'm sure one of those will do the trick.

Nashbar offers racks with height adjustment that should work:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...92_-1___202601
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...53_-1___202601

If that isn't adequate there are always seatpost clip-on racks like this:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...47_-1___202601

General brass plaque :

of the Many benefits from buying a rack from the dealer that sold the bike,

is they will make sure it Fits by physically trying it on , first, In Person.

If you will notice, he hasn't actually bought it, he just corresponded with the rack's manufacturer.

but fietsbob's point still stands, that going to a shop in-person would make this easier (though also possibly more expensive)

It aint FAA certified airplane parts..