Rear Rack
 

I'm looking to get a rear rack. I want something cheap but will hold up nicely. I'm also concerned because the bike I have does not have any attachment points or holes in the frame in the rear to attach one to. I just got a Huffy Concours Professional. Is there anything specific to look for in one? I'd mainly be using it for riding around campus and getting groceries home.

Also I want to get two water bottle holders for it, but there aren't any mounting holes in the frame. I saw one holder that you could wrap around the frame, but it was about 3x the price as any others.

your might consider a rear rack that clamps onto the seat post (or tube the seat post goes into) I used one on my old Schwinn for years and it didn't cost much. Mine was "LeMonde" brand (I think). It may not support as much weight, but there are lots of brands to choose from:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...cat%3A%20Racks

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...cat%3A%20Racks

http://www.axiomgear.com/product/racks/seatpost_racks/

-3bikes :commute:

I have never used these before but I'm guessing they will work for your needs:
http://www.biketrailershop.com/catal...nts-p-119.html

Here is a link to my bike with cheap modified rack:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=rack+budget

If groceries include anything heavier than potato chips or the like, a seat post only mounted rack might not support the weight, particularly over any bumps.

Wayne (who is very good to deal with) at The Touring Store sells some solutions for bikes without mounting holes in the rear dropouts.

Or you could get the Axiom Streamliner Road, which does not require braze-on mounts or threaded dropouts.

If you are handy with stainless steel and have access to the tools and material needed, you could make your own adapter.

With any of the above, you could then take along some beer to go with the chips, pretzels, or whatever.

Edit: I see the Axiom Odyssée Seatpost that 3bikes suggests above is rated for 25 Kg, probably because it it also mounts to the dropouts. So at least one seatpost (+dropout) rack will take a good load. The load champion rack at Axiom may be the Tour du Monde which is rated to 150 Kg; that's over 300 pounds.

Seat post clamp racks won't support panniers. I'd mount a standard rack in any case, you just have to use P-clamps.
I wouldn't skimp a lot on a rack. You can move it to a new bike later, so don't buy a total piece of junk.

I kind of like the rack's rear support to be squared off like this one
http://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photo...-NCL-ANGLE.jpg
My rack has a straight rear support, and twice I've had my panniers front clip come loose, and the bag rotated into the spokes of the rear tire. A rack like this wouldn't let that happen. And this rack is only $15.

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=25
I've had good luck with this rack. I first put it on my braze on less road racing bike and then put it on my LHT when I got that. Its sturdy enough for basic errands and very flexible with mounting (and cheap).
Scott

I have used the performance seatpost rack with panniers for years without problems??? But I am also not loading them with 40 pounds of stuff.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2325

The best alternative that I have found for my other road frames is to use a Tubus Fly rack with their pclamp system or the lower bracket extenders that attach to the rear quick release. (Peter White cycles)

This is the one I got. I'll probably have to go to the hardware store to get some mounting pieces for it, but it seems like it should work just fine. I'm a college student and live in the dorms still so I wouldnt be getting much in terms of groceries and if I plan on picking up a couple cases of soda I'll just end up taking the bus to make it easier.

RE: nowheels
I have used the performance seatpost rack with panniers for years without problems??? But I am also not loading them with 40 pounds of stuff.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2325

The best alternative that I have found for my other road frames is to use a Tubus Fly rack with their pclamp system or the lower bracket extenders that attach to the rear quick release. (Peter White cycles)

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I've been fighting my seat post rack all summer (same rack from Performance). I switched from a backpack to a pannier system in July and have been miserable more often than not. My back and neck feel better, but my stuff either bounces out or the pannier (grocery style- REI Novaris I think) falls off and hits my rear tire. Worst of all, the rack seems to go off center every ride. I've replaced my carbon seat post with an aluminum so I could really crank that rack on, but this hasn't fixed the problem. I try cranking the seat post tighter. The first week I had the system, my seat dropped about an inch without me realizing it. I couldn't ride for over a week because I thought I tore something in my knee. My bag that I keep in my pannier has flown off three times in the last week (with my computer in the bag). The latch that holds the laptop closed just broke.

I am SOOOOO frustrated!!! Any advice would be appreciated!

BTW- couldn't figure out how to cite the original any better...

Figured out how to cite

I just got a Trek seatpost rack -- it's rated at 25 pounds. Depending on how you define "grocery shopping", it might do the job, or not. I'm not planning to do anything more than bungee a sack of stuff on top of it, no panniers or anything like that, just my Chinese takeout and that's about it.

Here's a trick I learned from Machka, a forum member. I bought a Shwinn LeTour and it doesn't have any mounting holes for a water bottle. I used two hose clamps (from any automotive section) and used two pieces of cut tire tubing so that the metal hose clamps don't scratch up the finish on the bike. You can mount most any kind of bottle cage on your bike. The clamps hold the cage securely, believe me that baby ain't going anywhere. Thanks Machka! :love:
Ernest

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...cture024-1.jpg