ezdoesit

Can someone tell me if this rack would be OK for self contained touring it is a 2008 Fuji touring bike it is an Alloy rear rack on the specializations it doesn't state what weight it would hold.I have already hauled 35 pounds of groceries on the back but don't know if I should trust it or not. The bike you are looking at is my bike.
Here is the site to check it out.
https://www.photoshop.com/accounts/4e...ec8e6925ec4f4e

I hope this comes out OK.
Thank you for time and help.

fietsbob

a rack that is triangulated stays, at least one pair, ie. come together narrower at the top than the bottom.
are a bit sturdier . but for commuter bags that should be OK..
But I happen to prefer steel tube racks.. though I have some Blackburn racks from decades ago ,
But they have been Day Use, didn't go on long trips with the whole Kit packed Up on those.

skilsaw

It looks like a suitable rack to me.
So much of the specifications is guidelines...
A rack rated to carry 30 lbs. may break with only 25 lbs. on it if you are bouncing off curbs and over pot holes.
On the other hand, the same rack might do fine carrying 50 lbs. if you ride carefully.

I ask myself, "What is the worst thing that could happen if something breaks?" I purchase really robust gear for going into the wilderness backpacking. I don't want to have a tent zipper break in a wind and rain storm. And I don't want a fussy stove that is hard to light.

On the other hand, family camping is a lot more carefree. If its raining and I've got a load of wet clothes, or even wet sleeping bags, I just take them into town and throw them in the dryer at a laundromat.

Same thing on a bike trip. Some trips I'm always within 20 miles of a bike store. I can patch things and hold them together with duct tape and zip ties until I can get to a bike shop and get things fixed. But when it is 2 or 3 days ride to the next bike shop, I want more dependable gear.

So go with the rack you have. Enjoy it as you start cycle touring. Later on, if you really catch the touring bug you can upgrade. But for now, just use what you've got.

Don't worry - Have Fun!

MichaelW

The rack looks as if its is mounted a bit too high. The 2 stays to the the upper eyelets are destroying any triangulation and reducing stiffness. On my tourer, the stays from a Blackburn rack travel the shortest horizontal distance to the eyelets. The eyelets of that Fuji look fine, its just that the rack legs are too long.

LeeG

yeah, didn't want to say anything but my preference would be to have a rear rack just above the fenders. I don't think it's a structural failing as the weight is vertical to the eyelets but you lose a couple inches where gear on the top can fit under the seat. I got a Tubus Cargo for a 26" bike and it fit just fine on a 700C bike. Later on had lower rails brazed on and it's now on a 26" wheeled bike and I can mount a milk crate on top with panniers underneath.