Attaching rear rack to FG without braze-ons
 

I'm not sure if it's blasphemy to attach a rear rack to a fixed gear, but i find i like a pannier much better then a backpack of messenger bag.

My problem is that my current rack is a seatpost mounted unit (pictured below), and if i put anything that weighs more then a gallon of milk in there, the rack flexes enough to hit the spokes of my wheel on bumps and turns. Not to mention i hate the way it looks... and the height of where the weight is being carried isn't helping my already weak trackstand kung fu.

So does anyone know of any options for mounting a more traditional rack to a frame without braze-ons? or better yet, have any experience with a specific brand and pictures of how you've mounted it?

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps86858515.jpg


Options i've found so far are below, but i would like to see if anyone has some more creative/better ones

Thule rack: review are mixed, and even uglier then a seatpost rack, but brings the weight lower
Thule Pack ?n Pedal Tour Rack - Thule

Axiom Streamliner Road DLX: Really like the way this one looks, but brackets look like they would flex alot and have to be modified for the axles. Also not sure how i feel about removing rack to change a flat.
Streamliner Road DLX - Streamliner Racks - Racks - Products - Axiom Performance Gear

Bontrager Backrack: looks like better brackets then the Axiom, but same cons regarding removing for flats.
Bontrager: BackRack Lightweight (Model #08214)

Alternatively, how do people feel about drilling and tapping the dropouts. Not sure if i would do it, but maybe something to consider? my dropouts look like theres enough extra meat possibly.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9611e17a.jpg

Tap it, or P clamps. In that order.

i know i'm ignoring the order already... but P-clamps would be okay for the bottom mounts also? seems the consensus from my google searches says to only use them for the top seat stay mounts

P-clamps are fine for fenders but not for main rack supports IMO. Since your frame dropouts are aluminum, it will be very easy to drill and tap them for rack mounting bolts. That's what I would do.

If you had a steel fork, I would suggest a Low Rider rack up front. Much nicer when going uphill, especially when loaded as the bike behaves very closely to when it is light. (None of the whole bike whipping around the handlebars when you rock it standing.)

I have been riding fixed with Low Riders for something like 30 years. If I absolutely have to put a rear rack on to carry something, it comes off as soon as that job is done. A drawback to Low Riders is that they have no suspension between them and the front wheel, so I would not put a laptop in them. They also require that you have a large enough and inflated enough front tire to avoid wheel damage when you hit potholes.

Ben

thanks for the insight. so i guess the consensus so far is to drill. i was hoping not too but i guess i should suck it up

Dude this is what a Kilo is for. Clean up the Bianchi and keep it for barhopping.

Thats actually the type of comment i was expecting. And while i kind of agree, my Bianchi isn't vintage or one of a kind so i don't really see the harm other then, yes, i am ruining the lines of the bike. and honestly, i don't see myself using the Bianchi much if i had another more practical bike.. and i bought the Bianchi cause i like the way it looks and rides, and really don't need another money pit.

And also.. it's too late anyway. I stopped into a bike shop while out on a ride with my GF and mentioned what was suggested by Nagrom and Tejano. They said they've done it before, and offered to do it for what i thought was way too cheap. They even let me buy a rack i liked off a new bike since i didn't like the off the shelf racks they had on hand. So i bit the bullet and went through with the drill/tap. They did an outstanding job in my opinion making it work.. and the seat post collar was a nice touch. I'll have some clearance issues when i switch cogs, but nothing a file won't fix.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps95c53fea.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps2f41fa80.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps2a181592.jpg

Wow that turned out great!

By the way, what rack is that?

Thanks, i'm very happy with it and i think it's a world of difference in the looks department from what i previously had.
I did strike my heel a few times on the bag when i didn't clip in right away.. but it shouldn't be an issue since i more often then not leave my left foot clipped in... an there are no clearance issues once i clipped in.

I just looked at the rack and there is no branding on it. they took it off a new Fuji Touring bike since i didn't like the other racks they had on hand. So i can only assume its a Fuji specific rack or a no-name generic. Seems as sturdy as any other rack. The seat collar looks to originally of been of the quick release variety.. and they replaced the the original release with a stainless bolt and lock nut. I believe they sourced the struts from a different rack as well, because i don't remember them being stainless or that long on the fuji. Possibly from a planet bike rack, as they said that was what they were going to replace it with on the Fuji

Haha in that case I guess you can claim it as "custom". :lol:

yep, once this thread is old and forgotten.. its going to be "designed and welded it myself" :D

Came out pretty nice! Gotta admit.

+1, that's a slick install. :thumb:

Well done.

Nothing wrong with racks on fixed gear bikes. My Hillbrick is custom made (genuinely so) and I specified mounting points for the same reasons you use a pannier.

Thanks guys. Probably would have looked even better on a steel frame, but with the pannier off it really doesn't draw your eyes to it as much as the seat post mounted rack.

Thanks. i'm glad to hear you say that. I've actually never considered panniers before because to me it looked like the equivalent of a fanny pack on a tourist... Way too functional and no style. Having just moved to the Boston area, i started noticing how many people had racks or racks with panniers, and the look really started to grow on me. and of course, once i tried it, there was no going back.

Nice job!

Holy cow I love that frame and fork....that may be the thing to replace my Steamroller with.

Thanks, You should check out the Pista Sei Giorni if you don't plan on running a rear brake. Same frame and fork minus brake bosses and rear brake mount.

Exactly why I like the Dalmine. I ride with a freewheel so a Pista frame with cable stops is awesome.

If thats the case, definitely the frame for you. I would keep an eye out on craigslist and eBay then.. i believe they only made it for two years

Kind of a hard to find beast, none on eBay in recent history.