nomoore

I have a fixed gear track bike that I'm thinking of putting a rack on for commuting. Has anyone done this before? How much does the weight affect the handling? It's obviously far from a touring bike. Also is it significantly harder to pedal with the extra weight? I don't know much about rack's so how easily would a rack adapt to the 120mm rear spacing?

rykoala

Spacing wont' be an issue. What WILL be an issue is the relatively short chainstays on a track bike. Just get that rack as far back as you can get it to avoid heelstrike (your heels hitting the panniers).

I ride fixed gear too, although not a track bike. The bike by itself weighs 32lb (fat tires, old MTB from the 80's). With 30lbs of panniers and what not, it gets very heavy! But its do-able. I'd say go up one tooth in the back if you're going to carry a lot all the time.

balindamood

Buy a regular road bike, convert it to F.G., and ride that.

nomoore

I think I can manage that then. I'm thinking I might be able to fabricate something to attach to the track fork like a Surly Tugnut type tensioner would and extend further off the back. I could then drill a hole to use as a rack eyelet. That should take most of the weight and then I could use p-clips for the "stabilizer" bars of the rack.

ahpook

assuming a metal seatpost, you could get a seatpost rack. it'd limit your load a bit but no drilling/fabrication necessary. be warned though if you're used to skipping / skidding to slow down, it gets way, way harder when you can't unload that rear wheel.