BikeRider22

Dear experts,

I'm having an awful time trying to get a rack to
fit my older Specialized Allez Pro.

I decided to just take the bike to frame builder,
and get him to add braze ons. He said to get
the rack first.

I bought a Planet Bike Eco Rack. Primarily because
it did NOT have the black anodization. The steel
clips that I have on my panniers would strip off
any coating in about 5 minutes.

But when I lined it up on the bike with twist ties to see
if it would work, it looked like this:

https://geocities.com/cycling22/speci.../ecorack01.jpg

One thing, it seems to sit awfully high!

But the really big thing is that the rack itself interferes
with the brakes a lot!

https://geocities.com/cycling22/speci...andbrake01.jpg

https://geocities.com/cycling22/speci...andbrake02.jpg


If I put this rack on, I can't use the brake's quick release at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good rack that would
work on this Specialized?

Thanks a lot!

Al Downie

Hiya,

Have a look at the bits & bobs on this page - some combination of all of them might help move your rack further back, out of the way of the brakes. I'm thinking the Quick Release Rack Mounting kit and the Stay Mounting Clamps? You might have to do a bit of McGuyver work to lock the plates in the QR kit to your rack, but it doesn't look too complicated.

Tubus gizmos

Wouldn't worry about the height of the rack - looks fine.

Nigeyy

Oh dear, I'm not an expert!

Unless you really want that rack on that bike, it may be better considering another bike, or a seatpost rack (just attaches to your seatpost) if all you want to do is carry some light stuff. This isn't a good idea for heavier stuff though -but then again, if you want to carry heavier stuff, you might have to look at different wheelsets, how you might attach front racks.... Basically, this bike is more of a road bike, and not really a touring specific bike. I wonder how much the frame builder is going to charge you for this, and also, have you thought about the finish afterwards? Are you going to just paint over it or refinish the frame? The amount involved might make not worth it, just a few thoughts.

To do it a little more cheaply, you might want to use p-clips to secure the rack. I could also see how you could fabricate 2 brackets per chainstay/seatstay that use that space in between them shown on your picture -you won't have to do any brazing/welding, etc. then. Depending on the length of the p-clip you might use and the rack mounts, you 'll probably figure a way out to extend the rack to just back off a little bit to get to those brakes. Good luck!

edit: looking at your photos again, I notice the rack brackets are straight out; once slightly bent, they'll give you a bit more space to play with as well.

valygrl

Tubus Fly and Luna racks are made for road bikes, the single upper stay connects to the brake bolt. Tubus makes a Quick Release accessory too, so braze ons are not required anywhere, top or bottom.

Took my mechanic about half an hour of careful bending to get the stay right - you could do yourself if you had a bench & clamp.

This rack is made in a stainless steel finish as well - that's the Luna. The picture is of the Fly, on my road bike. They are rated to 40 pounds (a lot!).

Here's where to get it: www.thetouringstore.com - call and talk to Wayne, he is very knowledgeable.

rhm

Blackburn used to make --and maybe still does-- a rack that mounted to the brake bolt. That would be ideal for your bike.

You can probably make your Eco Rack fit your bike with a piece of custom hardware; basically you want a T-shaped piece of steel, with a hole at the end of each bar (three holes total). Alternately you might make the top of the T thicker and put four holes at that end (five holes total). The longest bar goes between the brake and the brake bridge, and the other two (or four) bolt to the rack.

But wait. Your Eco rack has two straps at the top, right? Why not just use one; attach the right one to the right seat stay with a P-clip, and leave the other one off. All the weight goes straight down, so the top straps only stabilize it front-to-back; so even with one strap it'll be stronger than a seatpost rack.

BikeRider22

I tried a seatpost rack.

Look at how poorly it worked!
https://www.geocities.com/cycling22/s...zed/axiom2.jpg

Waaaayyyyy too high.

As for p-clips. The stays are so narrow I can't find any that fit at all.

That's why I've given up.

valygrl

Don't give up, read my other post. It's just the wrong rack.

Al Downie

I could walk into a shop here and buy P-clips that size right now. In fact I've probably got a few in the shed! Let me know the diameter of the seatstays and I'll post them to you.

vik 

Before you spend a lot of time on that rack you may want to throw your empty panniers on the bike and see if your heel hits them. You may need the rack further back depending on your chainstay length and foot size.

Another option is to get a rack from www.oldmanmountain.com - this would attach via a QR through your rear wheel and using some p-clips on your seat stays. These racks work great and you'll be able to use it on another bike down the road. It also will not require any modification to your bike's frame.

bktourer1

Try the Jandd Expedition

Ed

Scooper

I second valygrl re the Tubus racks. I bought a Tubus Luna (stainless) from Wayne and had it polished locally to match my polished 953 stainless frame. There is, as valygrl says, a single upper stay that connects to the brake bolt on the seat stay bridge. I installed mine myself, following Wayne's instructions on how to bend the stay. It took about a half hour.

The big advantage to the Tubus Luna and Fly racks is that there's plenty of clearance between the rack and the brakes. They're nice looking, too.

valygrl

Wow Scooper, that is beautiful.

nubcake

ill second the old man mountain...i absolutly love mine and riding with it is like heaven compared to my old seatpost rack. the tubus racks are gorgous but pricey