Searching for a Rear Bike Rack
 

I'm riding a 63cm Trek Pilot, and since the chain stays are annoyingly short, my heels hit the pannier on the back end of the pedal cycle.

I'm using this pannier: http://banjobrothers.com/products/01090.php
and this rack: http://bontrager.com/model/00329/en

i managed to finagle the pannier so that it sits pretty far back on the rack so i get enough heel clearance, but then there's not enough of the rack frame to stop it from swaying into the wheel's spokes.

I found this rack online but can't find any reviews anywhere:
http://www.axiomgear.com/product/rac...uct.php?id=142
The description sounds like it attempts to solve this very problem, but i'd like to get some feedback from someone who's already tried it.

I also found this one that could potentially work, but it's hard to say:
http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup....176856&TID=367

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I had that exact axiom rack you posted except mine was black. Mine bent in a couple weeks but I guess I was carrying too much for it;P. I got a much more expensive weight bearing rack now=P. If your bags are fairly light it might work for ya.

It says on the website description that it takes 50 kg. That is a load of BS. I didnt carry near that and mine got bent to crap=P

I have this rack from Jandd Moutaineering, and it works well for me. It's extra long, and it's rated for 50 lbs. I've actually had a lot more than 50 lbs on it, and it did just fine.

BTW, if you're going to carry around a lot of stuff in panniers on a rack, you may want to consider a bike with longer chain stays....

http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXP

I don't own one, but it looks like a Tubus Logo (or similar) rack is what you need:

http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS...OGO%20PAGE.htm

Try the Delta Universal Mega rack/Jandd Saddlebag combo. They're not waterproof(try Thompson's spray) and don't hold much, but I don't have any problems w/heel strike as they mount fairly high. In addition one can get a trunk bag for addtional space if needed. It's been my experience 'touring panniers' are overkill for commuting. I started out using a set of Jandd expandable mountain panniers and only needed about 1/4 of the capacity they provided.

Seconding this. The bent stay on this rack is *very* useful.

Anyone have this one?
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._200280_200411

Cheap, and also fairly long so it might help the heel clearance problem.

My brother has the Axiom rack you mentioned on his bike. It's adequate, but there are several reasons I wouldn't recommend it:
1. It's ugly. Seriously ugly. And believe me - I actually *like* how racks look. Just don't like how it looks.
2. It's designed for bikes without rack mounts. If you already have a rack, it sounds like you already have rack mounts. The Axiom attaches under the rear brake where it attaches to the frame. If you have rack mounts, those are going to be a sturdier place to attach it.
3. On my brothers bike, the metal part that goes from the rack to the rear brake mount is adjustable, but even when fully adjusted still isn't long enough so the rack is always tilted forward somewhat.

I just happen to also have the Civia rack as I have a Highland Civia. Seems to be fine. Put panniers on there last weekend. Mine seems to be noisy and bangy, but I think that will go away once I cut the arms that hold the front of the rack to the frame - they're to long and push against the rack, but that may well be an issue specific to my bike (why they aren't the right size when they came installed on the bike is beyond me). My one real issue is that I'm not sure how my velcro "top of the rack" bag is going to attach to the rack once I cut the extra length as there's no convenient post part of the rack to wrap the front one around.

Here's another suggestion - the Tubus Disco Bike Rack:
http://www.rei.com/product/768567

http://media.rei.com/media/gg/2eeb07...a7eeb57fba.jpg

I'm not as concerned about looks. It's going to be covered by the pannier anyway. I actually kind of like the way that Axiom rack looks though. I also think that the way the frame of the rack extends to the back will help prevent the pannier from swaying into the spokes, which is an issue i've had in the past. It doesn't look like that Tubus rack will do that. It also costs $154, which i have a hard time justifying when there are so many other less expensive options out there. I can get the Axiom rack for around $30 - kind of a no-brainer assuming both function the same.

your issues with your Civia rack are pretty silly. like you said, one would think it would come perfectly fitted to the bike it was designed for.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I'm hearing some complaints about the durability of that Axiom rack. I'll have to weigh my panniers when fully loaded. I'd be carrying a change of clothes, shoes, my U-lock & chain, and shower necessities. i'd be surprised if that weighs more than 30 lbs. Something to consider though, if that's a known issue with this rack.

i'm stopping over at another bike shop tomorrow to explore some other possibilities before i take the plunge and buy something online.

Very interesting! would love to see a picture, if you think of it when you get home.

fyi, if you're looking to adapt your current rack, tubus also sells adapters for their racks that you might be able to shoehorn onto another rack:
http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS...ONS%20PAGE.htm

http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS...unting-Kit.jpg

http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS...t%20No%205.jpg

"The photos above are of a quick release mounting system that works with most of the Tubus racks. This adapter allows you to mount a rack on a bike without lower rack mounting eyelets, such as a race bike. In addition, it moves the rack toward the rear of the bike, greatly increasing heel clearance for panniers -- great for bikes with short chainstay lengths. The adapter consists of a longer quick release mechanism, and the curved stainless steel brackets that slip over the quick release skewer and attach to rack. $33.00 Set"

Your panniers are square cut. If heel clearance is an issue you can get ones with a heel cutout. On nay bike these permit the weight to be carried further forward without heel clip so are preferable.

Or get Ortlieb Panniers. Their mounting mechanism alllows you to mount the pannier at an angle onto the rack, thereby moving the bottom of the pannier farther away from you feet
Duppie

Although it might be hard to see in the picture on the Banjo Bros website, the panniers are actually not square. The side facing front is cut at a slant to help with heel clearance, which is one of the reasons i went with these. The issue is really with my bike's frame, not the pannier.

I checked out the Civia rack at a nearby bike shop, and when fully adjusted back, it's out of the way of my heels, which would solve 80% of the problem. the only problem is that the panniers aren't totally supported at the back of the frame and could bend into the spokes once they're loaded up, but I have some ideas on how to fix this. That shop is also ordering the Axiom rack, so i'll compare the two once it comes in.

VERY close to a solution here...

Just getting to read this thread - I'm having similar issues with heel clearance on the back. So, what was your final solution???

Ah, good question. I went with the Axiom rack, which you can get on Amazon for pretty cheap. I've used it a bunch since i first posed the question, and it's great. My only complaint is the way it mounts to the rear brakes - makes it kind of annoying to install and remove, but it's doable. I haven't weighed the load i usually carry, but I fill up my pannier set pretty tightly and it's still pretty solid. I highly recommend it.

I also recommend that Banjo Bros. pannier set. It doesn't come with a shoulder strap, but you can clip on a strap from a duffel bag easily enough. i bought mine from Calhoun Cycle: http://www.calhouncycle.com/