Before i go out and make/buy my own panniers, how much weight can a rear rack hold? Not just the rack, but also for control and stability. Im thinking about just lashing a duffel with 25lbs of gear on the rack. Will this make the bike too top heavy, or will it be alright?

Thanks..

Most racks have a capacity listed in the specification. I know my Jandd rear rack is rated at 70lbs. Even most lighter racks can take 25lbs. And as far as if the bike is too heavy, well that depends on you, the bike, where you are going etc. etc. 25 is not unreasonable.

if you look up the Tubus rack's site ,they will give you max loads for there racks.on my last trip i think i had 14 lb in each rear pannier plus tent strapped to top of rack, plus a stool /i stuff sack with a few odd's and ends.it carried that load no problem solid as a rock.tubus logo rack/ortlieb bikepacker plus panniers/akto tent.hope that's some help.

sorry for jumping back in here ,BUT how do i post a new thread,since they changed the format things have gotten very hard to use thanks

Go to the main page of any forum, and click on "Forum Tools" then on "Post a new thread".

It depends on the rack. I had a rack that broke under perhaps 20-25 pounds, and my current rack is rated for 88 pounds. (Tubus LOCC).

thank's for the help neilfein but it diden't work ,seems my main page is different to yours there 's no Forum Tools .think they made a balls up of the new look forum
ever heard of the saying ,if it aint'broke,dont fix it.

On my title page, I can see a "+ post a new thread" box but when I click on it, nothing allows me to post, maybe somebody has grown weary of Robow and his rantings and is trying to tell him something?

I would think that 25 pounds lashed to the top of the rear rack (assuming theat there's no other weight attached to the bike) would make for a top heavy bike. OTOH, if you had 25 pounds split between two rear panniers on the rear rack, no problem whatsoever.

robow that's exactly what im getting as well.can someone please fix it thanks.
very sorry for jumping in on this thread hope you don't mind.

dunno but i took a cheap 25 dollar axiom rack on tour. sat on the rack quite a few times while going down hill.

Twenty five pounds on a rack is not unreasonable, but it will alter the handling of the bike. The rear wheel is already carrying the lions share of the load with just a rider on board. The best weight distribution is 60/40 with panniers so the weight is down low, with the 60% being on the front. Bicycling did a huge write up on this years ago using sand bags and mounting them in various locations, then coasting down a long hill. Front mount racks that mount to the frame and don't turn with the handlebars are great and can handle an amazing amount of weight.

Aaron

My main concerns with the duffel would be a) the duffel not being secured completely to the rack in all dimensions (so that you have a loose end flopping off the back) and b) the duffel shifting to one side or another and unbalancing your load that way. It also would be inconvenient to access stuff in the main compartment of the duffel while you're on route, so that would influence how you pack the duffel.

I don't think that the weight itself would be so much of an issue, provided that it is secured completely and doesn't shift. Getting a load that is secured completely and doesn't shift might be a tall order, though.

Weight specifications on the racks are a safe-guard to the company. Many racks can do much-much more than they specify, but will probably eventually wear out and need replaced/repaired. Friends and I often ride two to a cycle, one sitting on the rear rack. Never had a failure. Generally alcohol is involved.

Do you have any examples or photos of these?

Panniers are much better than sticking the weight on top of the rack, but you'd hardly be the first to do that. Depends whether you want to do the cheapest thing that will get you there, or are in pursuit of the perfect touring set up. These two factions are in constant battle in this forum

This first one is from Work Cycles in Amsterdam. It is a specialized freight hauler, but they also make racks that can be fitted to other types of bikes.The other is one of their standard city bikes. I believe Azor sells a rack that is compatible with most of their bikes. Someone in the US was selling a rack that would fit on most diamond frame bikes with standard tubing that was head tube and frame mounted but I cannot find the link to it.

Aaron

these are expensive but very strong
https://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/...RearRacks.html

You could try making these for next to nothing:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...oc_id=1841&v=v

Lower weight is nicer for handling

In some situations the rack does not break or fail but the clamp or braze-on points fail.