Hi there,
I apologize for any silly questions in advance, but this is my first foray into carrying more than a basket's worth of stuff on a bike. I'm currently building up a weekend camper/everyday commuter/possible long-distance tourer based on a late 80s Schwinn Voyageur. I've determined that the first step is getting a rear rack. I'm currently looking at Tubus racks, specifically, the Tubus Logo and Cosmo. I'm also looking at the Axiom Streamliner Pro Tour Inox. Other than the price difference and the recommended load, they don't seem to differ that much at first glance (especially visually between the cosmo and the axiom). They all are tubular steel, with lower pannier mounts and an upper platform. However, the cheaper Axiom rack has a much higher load rating.
I know that Tubus racks are generally very well regarded, however, is there a difference between Taiwanese and German welding when it comes down to it? When you pay more for the Tubus rack are you really just paying for the 30-yr warranty and the name-value of a German company? On the other hand, will I ever need to carry 175lbs (I only weigh 140) on a rear rack?

Thank you very much.

The Tubus racks are lighter. Which may not make much difference on a daily commute, but counts when you are using your bicycle on vacations.

But then, for commuting needs, you could buy almost any cheap rack.

The tubus is about half the weight, but it also has about half the load carrying capacity. It's also around twice the price. Decide which of these things really matter to you.

Don't let the notion that one country is better at welding than another country sway you too much, Taiwan has great welders, and they probably have a lot more practice than the Germans.

I have to say the 175lb load rating has got to be unrealistic on many levels. Not because it can't take the weight but because the weight is totally unrealistic amount to load on any bike. You're more likely to have eyelet failure on the frame before the racks fail.

I like the Axiom Streamliner a lot but not with the stock tube attachments to the seat stays, it worked better with flat ss straps. I wouldn't want to use the Axiom Inox rack with the forward cantilevered eyelet attachment on the bottom. I'd rather have a touring bike and vertical attachment straight down on the eyelets than something that can swing/hang on the back torqueing the screws. Instead use panniers where you can adjust their fore/aft position and have the rack sit right on top of the eyelets. Also with the seat stay attachment go for ss. straps. I installed an Axiom Journey rack and found it flexed a bit with their articulated rod attachment system. It's not the same design as Tubus, or at least the ones I saw in the Streamliner and Journey weren't.

I wouldn't think of max load as the criterion for getting either rack as much as overall features.

Hi

I am not familiar wit the Axiom racks but I am very happy with the Tubus racks on my Surly Long Haul Trucker and would not hestitate to buy Tubus again. I will in fact being buying a Tubus rack to go on the front of my Giant XTC 2. You might also want to check the price from a German supplier such as https://www.starbike.com/ or https://bike24.net (don't forgot to take off the 19% VAT) as it may well be a lot cheaper from either supplier.



Regards
Andrew