Rear Rack Recommendations?
 

I did a search for this but didn't get much. I would like to add a rear rack for carrying odds and ends. I have looked on various bike shop sites but I'm afraid I don't know enough about them to make a decent decision. Any of you have a rear rack you could recommend and a shop that sells it?

Thanks,
Fred

Rear Rack Recommendations???
 

I'd like to put a rear rack on my bike. My problem is I'm so new to bikes and racks I have no decent idea of what might work well. Seat post mount racks don't look bad to me, what do you guys think of them? Anybody on this forum have a favorite rear rack they would care to recommend?

Thanks for whatever you'd care to share on this,
Fred

I've got the Topeak MTX rack on my Jake the Snake. The thing I like about it is the quick-release locking clip for the trunk bag. It's easy to put my stuff in the bag, clip it on and off quickly.....

http://members.cox.net/hollingsworth/Kona%20JTS.jpg

Seat post racks are ok but have a weight limit of ~25 pounds and mount higher so the weight on the bike is higher, making the bike less maneuverable at times. A frame mounted rack is much better.
What type of bike do you have? Does it have eyelets/braze-ons?

I have the Axiom Journey rack. It seems to have worked out fine for me. It can hold a lot of weight and I have had no problems with it. I have also know that Topeak makes some very nice racks. I would stay away from the seat post mounts though.

Delta racks are good and inexpensive. Old Man Mountain makes ones for bikes without eyelets and a reasonably priced one for bikes with eyelets. Nashbar carries too many to list, including the old but very durable Blackburn rack. If you want high zoot and ultimate durability there's Tubus (Cargo, Vega, Fly, etc) from Wayne at the Touring Store...he's really nice and has good stuff. There are other high end ones from Bruce Gordon, Surly, etc. Expedition quality for all of them but also expedition cost.

These are important questions. Eyelets/braze-ons do make the job easier, but if your bike does not have them, you can use p-clamps. I liked Nashbar's LDT rack so much I've bought it twice. It's inexpensive and is adjustable to fit a wide range of bikes.

I just ordered the Nashbar LDT rack. After looking at my frame, I think it will mount nicely. Seems to be reasonable substantial as well. Thanks for the information. I really appreciate the help.

I just noticed a combo deal that offers the rack and a cargo net for $14.95:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile_combo.cfm?combo=24255

The rack alone lists for $19.95:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=2264

[QUOTE=chocula]I just noticed a combo deal that offers the rack and a cargo net for $14.95:

Forget the cargo net. Learn to tie a diamond hitch and with 20 or so feet of stout cord you can carry anything.

[QUOTE=road-ratz]
I'll do that, and I'm also pretty good with bungie cords.

I have this Topeak on one of my bikes:
http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-OS-Rack...4690153&sr=8-4

The lock isn't too bad, comes with 2 locking ends...the x-key is more secure than the barrel key. But I use that to lock the front wheel and frame together and use a better rated lock (OnGuard Brute) to lock the rear wheel and frame to whatever.

Other than that, it can hold plenty of weight without a problem. Topeak bags just slide in and lock and you can hang panniers or baskets off the sides. Would get a Tubus if you plan on some heavy duty hauling (weight wise) and touring.

If you decide to go this route, make sure the rack is compatible with your pannier selection. For example, it's not usable with Arkel panniers... the guide which holds the U-lock in place interferes with the locking system.

Personally, I like the Jandd Expedition Rack. I'm thinking of trying a Red Rock one of these days, however, since that would give more clearance around the brake cable... I need to install a travel agent one of these days, and it simply isn't possible with the current configuration.

I have a mid-80s Blackburn Expedition with solid seat stay stuts on my warm-weather commuter. It's crazy-strong. (It better be. It's carrying 25 pounds of batteries....) It used to be on our Santana Arriva tandem, back in The Day, when we were touring. I had to weld up a bracket to make it fit the Nashbar "X" frame of the electric bike, though. Still, that's stronger than the wonky brackets that the current racks all seem to use.

I have a Topeak rack and I'm pretty tough on racks- I carry a lot of stuff on my commutes as well as full bags of groceries, which I put in the milk crate attached to the rack. It's also exposed to New England winters and plenty of road salt and moisture. It has lasted very well and has remained sturdy and stable despite the abuse I put it through almost daily.

I ride with a Tubus rack and think they are some of the best. I also have owned a couple of racks made by Rivendell, they are top notch also.