Rear rack feedback? VO
 

Has anyone out there tried the Velo Orange Constructeur rear rack? I'm considering one for my old Frejus and wondering if anybody has used one WITHOUT using the fender mount bosses. Thanks

There are myriad other racks that do not require a fender. Why do you want to use this rack if you don't have fenders (other than the fact that it looks really good)?

Edit: Oh, I see that it comes with a strut to mount to the brake bridge. Again, I'd choose another rack if I didn't have fenders but that's just me.

I think it looks and works much better with fenders.

Never used one without a fender. Works great with one. FYI, they don't come with the hardware to mount without the fender. I think you need to buy a rack strut separately to run from one of the bosses underneath the rack to the break bridge. Are you running canti brakes or calilpers? You might have trouble mounting to the break bridge with calipers.

With a fender it's one surprisingly stable rack.

I looked at this rack for a bit but realized it wouldn't work for me due to being too small to hold my vintage panniers. It's a pretty small sucker, so if you're planning to carry anything specific like panniers i would check the measurements first. For me the length of the rack was too short.

Honestly, I find this particular rack to be something of a "fashion" item. Not to say it isn't functional or won't hold your stuff, but for the price (plus the cost of the mounting hardware you'll need), you can get so many other functionally identical (or superior) racks that it only really makes sense if you're going for that "look."

Compare with VO's porteur rack, which is expensive, but fills a less populated niche and is typically less expensive than alternatives.

Eh, I don't know. Given the construction of the rear rack, I wouldn't say it's expensive ($80 for tubular stainless steel and design touches like fender mounts and strap hooks). I'd say it fills an even less populated niche than the porteur rack... no one else is making one like it. It's also heavy duty, and provided that you can find panniers with hooks narrow enough to fit the rack, it's heavy duty. Personally I wish they'd make two versions of their racks: polished and bead blasted. I'd take a matte, bead blasted version over polished, as I think it would look less flashy.

That's some good input, thanks. I'm running center pulls. I'll have to check into that.

Actually, I never said I didn't have fenders, only asking if anyone had used one without using those bosses they provide. Don't really want to drill any holes in 50 year old Frejus fenders. I like the look and design of this rack. Minimal and very clean. haven't seen anything else nearly as clean looking.

That's what I've found; haven't seen another one like it, though if there is someone making one "identical" or similar I'd like to see it. I don't plan on using panniers Southpaw. Just something for when I need to carry a small something or other. No cyclo touring or anything. Bead blasted would look cool. I thought it looked about right for a 63 Frejus, understated and simple.

I considered the VO rack, and really prefered its style, but ended up getting a lightweight nitto rack. It suits my needs and fitted directly to the braze-ons on my bike, which the VO rack would not do without adapting struts, etc.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2279230_n.jpg

Thanks for the inspiration Southpaw. I too thought the polished stainless might look a little too flashy. I have the number of a local gunsmith who could probably handle that bead blast job on the cheap, relatively. Would probably look better along side the pearly anodized aluminum of the rest of the parts. Thanks.

Wish I had the braze ons, but, alas, most Nittos won't really work for my application. Nice looking bike Norskagent.

I Agree 100%.

Its very good looking, especially with fenders, but if you plan to strap on a set of panniers or a rack top bag that isn't TINY you are gonna be dealing with it hanging over every edge of the rack.

I own one, I think its very pretty and looks great on my bike but don't expect to carry much on it.
Speaking as someone who uses their bike for Utility (commuting, groceries, etc..) this rack is mostly useless.

These Ironweed panniers fit the VO constructeur rack. In the interest of full disclosure, Ironweed is my project. :innocent:

I dont understand what you want. you want to use the VO rack but without it attached it to your fender (pretty much how the rack is attached)...and you cant use the Nitto rack because you dont have rack braze-ons.

personally, I think the VO rack sucks and is more of a fashion item (like alot of their products). Get a nice Nitto rear rack like pictured above or the R-15 and invest in some nice p-clamps.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/...5160662690.jpg

...or a tubus luna, fly, vega, cosmo? all types of adapters and options here: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tubus_racks.asp

Woah, beautiful panniers, Noah Scape! Great pictures, as well. I will have to keep your store in mind next time i need panniers!

This can happen with any pannier/rack combo. I have a set of Axiom Seymour panniers that were causing constant heel strike. The hooks were spaced too far apart to allow positioning of the panniers farther back on the rack. All I had to do was move the hooks on the pannier closer together, and I had a lot more adjustment room. Same could be done to fit a set of panniers on the VO rack.

Ite funny you choose the Axiom Seymour pannier because that's one i've got. I've got 4 bikes with racks. 2 have Blackburn Racks, 1 has a Vetta Rack and 1 has a VO rack. My Axiom Seymour Panniers fit on the Blackburn racks and the Vetta rack just fine. Just like your experience, those panniers don't fit all that well on the VO rack with its clips located where they are.

Like I said, I look at it from a utility standpoint primarily and looks are next in line after that. I don't think I should have to alter my bag just to suit one rack

Thanks all,
Perhaps I should have included just a bit more info in the original posting. I thought it was a pretty straight-forward question. I like the looks of that VO rack. I DO have fenders but am not about to drill holes in original 1963 Frejus fenders. So, I don't really need the fender mounting bosses but I like that minimal style rack. I realize it is of limited utility. No groceries. No commuting. No panniers. No, I just want something small which I can strap small items to for short, casual outings. Camera bag, lunch, etc. Don't really need some big, elaborate rack for panniers, etc. So, my original question was: wondering if anybody had tried that rack without using the fender bosses, but with the optional mounting hardware. I'd gladly go for something similar and minimal without the fender bosses ...if I can find it.
Thank you

I'd just get a nice saddlebag that you can take on/off at will...rather than having a rack that's main purpose is supporting the rear fender. if you're not attaching the rack to the fender, then all you have is a crappy rack.

get yourself a nice carradice saddlebag (nelson longflap) or similar and call it a day.

The Carradice Bagman and Viva saddle bag support are nice as well.

Given your needs, this would seem to make good sense. A nice vintage, mid-sized, saddlebag would be the ticket. Something like this:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...g?t=1292955949

That's an idea. Thanks guys.

Those look very nice, Brian! Any plans for bags other than panniers?

Neal

Thanks Neal. The next two bags will likely be a rack-top trunk bag and a large bag to fit on a porteur rack. Both in a style matching the panniers. Maybe there's a handlebar bag in the future too. If sales are good, I'll likely add a few more colors as well.