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-   -   Rear Rack for LHT (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/410332-rear-rack-lht.html)

jpmartineau 04-22-08 01:57 PM

Rear Rack for LHT
 
Hi,

I'm looking for a rear rack to put on a LHT.

I want something solid, preferably steel over aluminium but not an absolute must. Although I'll likely never overload it, I want something that'll be good for a long time and won't break if I carry a bag of firewood on a campsite, or other bulky items. I have Arkel Panniers (recent models with the new fastening system).

Must haves:
- Fits on a LHT
- Solid
- Not too narrow or too small so I can securely put a Arkel Pelican for day trips. (It's also annoying to attach that sort of bag on a narrow rack).
- Compatible with recent Arkel panniers

I've looked at:
- Tubus Cargo (steel)
- Surly Nice Rack (steel)
- Blackburn expedition (alu)

The problem with the Tubus racks is that I'm having a hard time to locate some in Montreal. For various reasons, I don't want to order out of the country and prefer to deal with local dealers.

I've seen the Surly Nice Rack and it looks awful nice. It's a bit expensive though. Anyone have any experience with that rack? Is it worth the money?

The Blackburn expedition, I don't like, mainly because it's tiny and will make my tail rider bag unstable. I also don't like the way it looks. I also don't like the fact that I need to pry it apart to fit it on my bike. Seems somewhat a bad idea because the rack will not be parallel to the frame and will put unnecessary stress on the bolts.

Anyone have suggestions? Should I go with the Surly Nice Rack or do you have better (hopefully cheaper) alternatives? Push come to shove, I'll pay what it's worth, but I rely on your precious advice to avoid spending money on overpriced items.

Thanks!

pasopia 04-22-08 02:15 PM

Jandd expedition is another good choice. Only downside is that it is pretty heavy, although I think the surly is as well.

robow 04-22-08 03:13 PM

Try this site. Lots of info on rear racks

http://www.bicycleluggageracks.com/

Recently I purchased the IRD Khyber aluminum and am happy with it.

iain.dalton 04-22-08 05:19 PM

I had a Blackburn Expedition on my until I switched it for a no-name aluminum rack that's similar, but an inch longer. The Blackburn looked fine to me, the Tail Rider is marketed as "Ideal for any rear mount rack," and the rack has been sold as a touring rack for a long time, so (getting speculative here) I would expect not to have heel strike with it, especially on a touring frame.

Of course, if you plan to carry a lot, go ahead and get the Nice Rack or the Jandd Expedition. I just don't think you ought to rule out the Blackburn.

StuckInMud 04-22-08 09:22 PM


Originally Posted by jpmartineau (Post 6565004)
Hi,

I'm looking for a rear rack to put on a LHT.

I want something solid, preferably steel over aluminium but not an absolute must. Although I'll likely never overload it, I want something that'll be good for a long time and won't break if I carry a bag of firewood on a campsite, or other bulky items. I have Arkel Panniers (recent models with the new fastening system).

Must haves:
- Fits on a LHT
- Solid
- Not too narrow or too small so I can securely put a Arkel Pelican for day trips. (It's also annoying to attach that sort of bag on a narrow rack).
- Compatible with recent Arkel panniers

I've looked at:
- Tubus Cargo (steel)
- Surly Nice Rack (steel)
- Blackburn expedition (alu)

The problem with the Tubus racks is that I'm having a hard time to locate some in Montreal. For various reasons, I don't want to order out of the country and prefer to deal with local dealers.

I've seen the Surly Nice Rack and it looks awful nice. It's a bit expensive though. Anyone have any experience with that rack? Is it worth the money?

The Blackburn expedition, I don't like, mainly because it's tiny and will make my tail rider bag unstable. I also don't like the way it looks. I also don't like the fact that I need to pry it apart to fit it on my bike. Seems somewhat a bad idea because the rack will not be parallel to the frame and will put unnecessary stress on the bolts.

Anyone have suggestions? Should I go with the Surly Nice Rack or do you have better (hopefully cheaper) alternatives? Push come to shove, I'll pay what it's worth, but I rely on your precious advice to avoid spending money on overpriced items.

Thanks!

Have you checked out "thetouringstore.com" for Tubus racks? Wayne provides an awesome service (two day delivery to Australia when I ordered) and his prices are very competitive. And in saying that, if you can try and get Tubus racks you won't go wrong. They are light and beautifully made and are probably
the strongest on market.

sth 04-22-08 09:39 PM

I can vouch for the Surly Nice Rack. I have one on the rear of my rocket. It is sturdy, steel, very adjustible and capable of carrying a good load. It is on the heavy side I guess but not enough to worry about.

jpmartineau 04-22-08 10:40 PM


Originally Posted by StuckInMud (Post 6567629)
Have you checked out "thetouringstore.com" for Tubus racks? Wayne provides an awesome service (two day delivery to Australia when I ordered) and his prices are very competitive. And in saying that, if you can try and get Tubus racks you won't go wrong. They are light and beautifully made and are probably
the strongest on market.

Just did and I think we have a winner.

The Surly was nice, but even if I ain't a weight weenie, that rack is way too heavy.

The Tubus Cargo is solid (from what I read over and over in these forums) and reasonably light. and I love the fact that they put an extra hole for the mudguards. Nice touch. I'm emailing Wayne tonight and unless there's a showstopper, I'll order the Cargo tomorrow.

iain.dalton: The Blackburn is a fine rack, just not what I'm looking for for my LHT - I really want a bigger platform. I'd put one on my city-commuter anytime though.

Robow: great link, altough I got a "hey, what are you looking at?" from my girlfriend ;)

Thanks to everyone for your valuable input!

The Smokester 04-23-08 09:33 AM

+1 for Tubus Cargo.

vik 04-23-08 09:57 AM

I've got a Tubus Cargo and Surly Nice front rack...both are very nice. The Tubus is a better design IMO [triangulated] and very light for its load capacity. I live in Canada and got my Tubus from Wayne at the touring store....very fast no hassles.

If Tubus made a platform front rack like the Surly that's what I would have bought.

chucko58 04-23-08 11:42 AM

My old commute bike has a Topeak rack on it. I just ordered a Tubus Logo for my new LHT. The Logo just seems like it has a lot going for it - light, carries big loads, and lots of heel clearance for my clown shoes.

theranman 04-23-08 12:42 PM

I own the Jandd Expedition. It's heavy as a tank. As sturdy as one as well. Not sure how much the added weight affects bike speed (as compared to lighter ones), but I certainly like the 4" width of center of the rear platform. It acts like a rain fender of sorts. Anybody know how wide the center section is on the IRD Kyhber?

HardyWeinberg 04-23-08 01:49 PM

I have a tubus cargo on my lht and a surly nice rear rack on another bike. The surly absolutely fits the bike I have it on, but I far prefer the tubus cargo. Considering the price and weight of the surly, if I couldn't get a cargo, I'd be looking at the jandd.

jpmartineau 04-23-08 02:00 PM


Originally Posted by HardyWeinberg (Post 6571343)
Considering the price and weight of the surly, if I couldn't get a cargo, I'd be looking at the jandd.

Not sure what you mean.

a) the LHT is heavy and it's not worth saving any weight
or
b) the LHT is heavy and I should avoid adding additional weight to an already heavy bike

My philosophy is closer to b.

HardyWeinberg 04-23-08 04:43 PM


Originally Posted by jpmartineau (Post 6571420)
Not sure what you mean.

a) the LHT is heavy and it's not worth saving any weight
or
b) the LHT is heavy and I should avoid adding additional weight to an already heavy bike

My philosophy is closer to b.

Sorry, I was referring to the surly rack, not your surly bike. It's the most expensive and the heaviest rack of the ones discussed. If I couldn't get my first choice, a tubus cargo, at the places I shop, I wouldn't default to a surly rack, I'd look at a jandd which would probably weigh less and certainly cost less.

jpmartineau 04-23-08 05:22 PM


Originally Posted by HardyWeinberg (Post 6572455)
Sorry, I was referring to the surly rack, not your surly bike. It's the most expensive and the heaviest rack of the ones discussed. If I couldn't get my first choice, a tubus cargo, at the places I shop, I wouldn't default to a surly rack, I'd look at a jandd which would probably weigh less and certainly cost less.

Yeah, most expensive and heaviest is not a winning combo. I could live with either, but not both :)

vik 04-23-08 05:35 PM


Originally Posted by jpmartineau (Post 6571420)
Not sure what you mean.

a) the LHT is heavy and it's not worth saving any weight
or
b) the LHT is heavy and I should avoid adding additional weight to an already heavy bike

My philosophy is closer to b.

The LHT is not particularly heavy, but I still wouldn't add heavy items to it if not necessary.

jpmartineau 04-23-08 05:58 PM


Originally Posted by vik (Post 6572711)
The LHT is not particularly heavy, but I still wouldn't add heavy items to it if not necessary.

Word.

robow 04-24-08 10:20 AM


Originally Posted by theranman (Post 6570957)
I own the Jandd Expedition. It's heavy as a tank. As sturdy as one as well. Not sure how much the added weight affects bike speed (as compared to lighter ones), but I certainly like the 4" width of center of the rear platform. It acts like a rain fender of sorts. Anybody know how wide the center section is on the IRD Kyhber?

The center plate is 3" in width, 6" total width - outside to outside of the top tubes. It seems to be well made and not as heavy as the Jandd Expedition but almost same design and less expensive. Supposedly they have a stainless steel version but I haven't seen that for sale. Most IRD stuff is well thought out.

theranman 04-24-08 01:57 PM

1) Thanks for the info, Robow. I'm glad I went with the Jandd; that extra inch makes for a better rain fender.

2) If folks think the LHT is heavy, don't try lifting the Jamis Aurora...it's heavier.


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