Commuter Rack - Disc Brake Compatible Thread
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Likes: 10
Commuter Rack - Disc Brake Compatible Thread
What commuter racks have you found to be compatible with a disc brake?
Some rear racks won't fit it at all. This thread can help people buy a suitable rack for their commuter bike.
All input is welcome.
Some rear racks won't fit it at all. This thread can help people buy a suitable rack for their commuter bike.
All input is welcome.
#3
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
Easy option would be one that's already labeled as disc-compatible. Topeak has disc-compatible variations of most of their racks.
Less easy, but just as viable, is using a longer bolt on a regular rack and pushing the rack's legs outboard with washers and/or a spacer.
Could also go the other way and pick a bike frame that mounts its rear disc caliper inside the rear triangle, usually on the chainstay instead of on top of a seatstay. Quite a few are built like this -- Salsa's Vaya is one example:
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/
However, it's not a requirement, since Jamis's Aurora Elite has a seatstay-mounted brake and comes with a rear rack anyway:
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...roraelite.html
Since I'm posting links, here's one of Topeak's disc-compatible offerings:
https://topeak.com/products/Racks/Exp...ack_dsc_spring
... and some closeups of a Bikes Direct bike with a spaced-out regular rack:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._rack_gallery/
Anything else?
Less easy, but just as viable, is using a longer bolt on a regular rack and pushing the rack's legs outboard with washers and/or a spacer.
Could also go the other way and pick a bike frame that mounts its rear disc caliper inside the rear triangle, usually on the chainstay instead of on top of a seatstay. Quite a few are built like this -- Salsa's Vaya is one example:
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/
However, it's not a requirement, since Jamis's Aurora Elite has a seatstay-mounted brake and comes with a rear rack anyway:
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...roraelite.html
Since I'm posting links, here's one of Topeak's disc-compatible offerings:
https://topeak.com/products/Racks/Exp...ack_dsc_spring
... and some closeups of a Bikes Direct bike with a spaced-out regular rack:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._rack_gallery/
Anything else?
#5
Gear Hub fan
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 2
From: Reno, NV
Bikes: Civia Hyland Rohloff, Swobo Dixon, Colnago, Univega
It all depends on the disc mounting arrangement and position. The Swobo Dixon will take a non-disc specific rack. My other disc braked bikes came with custom racks, the Civia Hyland and Big Dummy.
The Topeak disc specific racks work well for MOST installations but with bikes NOTHING is going to be a universal fit unfortunately.
The Topeak disc specific racks work well for MOST installations but with bikes NOTHING is going to be a universal fit unfortunately.
__________________
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
Gear Hubs Owned: Rohloff disc brake, SRAM iM9 disc brake, SRAM P5 freewheel, Sachs Torpedo 3 speed freewheel, NuVinci CVT, Shimano Alfine SG S-501, Sturmey Archer S5-2 Alloy. Other: 83 Colnago Super Record, Univega Via De Oro
Visit and join the Yahoo Geared Hub Bikes group for support and links.
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/
#6
all-weather commuter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
I use the Axiom Odyssee on my mountain bike. It attaches solely to the seatpost, so if your seatpost angle is more upright it may tip the rack to an unacceptable angle.
https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...ssee-seatpost/
https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...ssee-seatpost/
#8
I have Topeak Supertourist DX, it works well with disc brakes and has extra set of lower rails for hanging panniers so you can still use the top platform for a Topeak rack bag.
#9
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,863
Likes: 6
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
Disc brakes have been around long enough (i.e., more than a year) for accessory makers to produce compatible parts.
Remember, no matter what compatibility problem you think you have with bike stuff, chances are extremely high that someone else has thought of the same thing -- and they have access to the tools, materials, and manpower necessary to conceive, prototype, and manufacture something to solve that exact same problem.
Remember, no matter what compatibility problem you think you have with bike stuff, chances are extremely high that someone else has thought of the same thing -- and they have access to the tools, materials, and manpower necessary to conceive, prototype, and manufacture something to solve that exact same problem.
#10
I've got a Delta Universal rack on my Muirwoods 29er.

You can get it from REI for $19.93 right now.
I've never really had any affection for this rack. I treat it like a red-headed step child, but I've been using it for three years and it's still doing the job it's made to do. I've thought about replacing it with something spiffier, but it's really hard to find a rack that will work with disc brakes AND fit over my 700x50 tires with room to spare for a fender.

You can get it from REI for $19.93 right now.
I've never really had any affection for this rack. I treat it like a red-headed step child, but I've been using it for three years and it's still doing the job it's made to do. I've thought about replacing it with something spiffier, but it's really hard to find a rack that will work with disc brakes AND fit over my 700x50 tires with room to spare for a fender.






