Need help between a couple rear racks
08-14-17, 04:27 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Need help between a couple rear racks
Got a 4 day trip coming up in 3 weeks and I cannot decide between a couple racks. I have a Soma B side with Shimano hydro disc brakes. I will not be using panniers and I will be strapping compression bags and a tent on top of the rack. It will weigh much less than any of these racks max capacity. I am only interested in Blackburn racks in the $50 range and a few models are in my radar. I would like to hear opinions based on experience on these models if anyone who reads this has any. I cannot decide between the BLACKBURN EX-1, the BLACKBURN LOCAL STANDARD RACK, or the BLACKBURN LOCAL DELUXE. I have lower and upper braze ons and it looks as if the EX1 comes with an included QR skewer for mounting on the QR and the others do not which I assume means they are designed to mount on the lower braze ons only? I do have a 9mm rear QR but it seems as if braze on mounting would be much simpler if I had to remove a tire. Can the EX1 also be mounted on a braze on or is it strictly for the QR? If I use blue loctite will I still have bolts vibrating out of the Local rack as it has more adjustability and more sliding/adjustable parts. Any help appreciated guys so I can get this ordered in time.
08-15-17, 04:53 AM
#2
Senior Member
If you have braze ons don't use anything other to mount the rack. Best way is simply to use the hardware you have available and everything other will just complicate things.
I'd recommend you also turn you attention to Tubus and Rack Time rear carriers since they are at least in my opinion the best of the best. Tubus makes carriers out of chromoly, stainless steel and titanium whereas Rack Time is a sister company and makes carriers out of aluminum (like blackburn).
Both tubus and rack time have a lower attatchment system which is not adjustable but it is extremely sturdy and bomb proof, namely a thick metal plate welded directly to the rack legs.
You likely will not need adjustability if you are not using tires / fenders unsuitable for the rack in the first place. In that case you'll need to raise the rack higher than it is comfortable which may cause issues. If you want to use regular touring tires up to 45mm, use a standard touring rack. If you want to use MTB tires, use a rack that allows for wide tires. If you want to use fat bike tires, then Tubus makes racks for that as well.
The price range is around the same with blackburn and rack time, but i'd take rack time over blackburn. Although I use tubus cause steel and 45kg of carry capacity are nice features.
A medium strenght thread locking compound like blue locktite will keep screws from unscrewing themselves under vibration. You don't need much but if you want extra security, more threadlocker on the screw will make it more secure. Use the correct torque and let the compound cure for 24 hours before riding the bike to attain best results.
I'd recommend you also turn you attention to Tubus and Rack Time rear carriers since they are at least in my opinion the best of the best. Tubus makes carriers out of chromoly, stainless steel and titanium whereas Rack Time is a sister company and makes carriers out of aluminum (like blackburn).
Both tubus and rack time have a lower attatchment system which is not adjustable but it is extremely sturdy and bomb proof, namely a thick metal plate welded directly to the rack legs.
You likely will not need adjustability if you are not using tires / fenders unsuitable for the rack in the first place. In that case you'll need to raise the rack higher than it is comfortable which may cause issues. If you want to use regular touring tires up to 45mm, use a standard touring rack. If you want to use MTB tires, use a rack that allows for wide tires. If you want to use fat bike tires, then Tubus makes racks for that as well.
The price range is around the same with blackburn and rack time, but i'd take rack time over blackburn. Although I use tubus cause steel and 45kg of carry capacity are nice features.
A medium strenght thread locking compound like blue locktite will keep screws from unscrewing themselves under vibration. You don't need much but if you want extra security, more threadlocker on the screw will make it more secure. Use the correct torque and let the compound cure for 24 hours before riding the bike to attain best results.
08-15-17, 05:45 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
After posting last night I kept studying and googling and I found a rack from Topeak called the explorer. It was an editors pick out of all the racks they tested or reviewed. I liked the fact that it had 2 flat bars at the top instead of solid aluminum arms. I got the disc specific rack that is supposed to fit 26, 27.5, and 700c rear wheels. My bike is a 650b running 2.4 tires. I hope it all clears but this rack gets almost 5 stars on many reviews. Thanks for taking the time to respond. 
08-16-17, 05:09 AM
#4
Senior Member
We had good luck with the EX-1 and braze ons, but we had a different ex-1 than you linked. You linked the disc version we used:
Blackburn EX-1 Rack - mikesbikes.com We have done a bunch of long tours including coast to coast ones with the EX-1 and carried a variety of different loads. We also did a lot of commuting and errand running. We never found it lacking.
FWIW I used the non disc version on a disk bike using braze ons, but it required a bit of bending and some short spacers on my disc MTB.
I have been using lighter bikes with skinnier tires and an ultra light load and for that use have use one from the Axiom Streamliner line. I have been very happy with it.
Blackburn EX-1 Rack - mikesbikes.com We have done a bunch of long tours including coast to coast ones with the EX-1 and carried a variety of different loads. We also did a lot of commuting and errand running. We never found it lacking.
FWIW I used the non disc version on a disk bike using braze ons, but it required a bit of bending and some short spacers on my disc MTB.
I have been using lighter bikes with skinnier tires and an ultra light load and for that use have use one from the Axiom Streamliner line. I have been very happy with it.
08-17-17, 05:31 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
We had good luck with the EX-1 and braze ons, but we had a different ex-1 than you linked. You linked the disc version we used:
Blackburn EX-1 Rack - mikesbikes.com We have done a bunch of long tours including coast to coast ones with the EX-1 and carried a variety of different loads. We also did a lot of commuting and errand running. We never found it lacking.
FWIW I used the non disc version on a disk bike using braze ons, but it required a bit of bending and some short spacers on my disc MTB.
I have been using lighter bikes with skinnier tires and an ultra light load and for that use have use one from the Axiom Streamliner line. I have been very happy with it.
Blackburn EX-1 Rack - mikesbikes.com We have done a bunch of long tours including coast to coast ones with the EX-1 and carried a variety of different loads. We also did a lot of commuting and errand running. We never found it lacking.
FWIW I used the non disc version on a disk bike using braze ons, but it required a bit of bending and some short spacers on my disc MTB.
I have been using lighter bikes with skinnier tires and an ultra light load and for that use have use one from the Axiom Streamliner line. I have been very happy with it.
That definitely looks like a no frills rack!
08-17-17, 10:40 AM
#6
Full Member
I have the ex-1, non-disk version. No issues whatsoever, it's an excellent rack. I've overloaded it, used it on very rough terrain, it even lived through a tumble down a hill while carrying a full load of two heavy panniers. You can spend more money but you're not going to get a better more reliable rack.
