So I just picked up an Axiom Journey rack, which claims a 154lb load rating. Just wondering if this is realistic for my bike. If my girlfriend wanted to sit on the rack just for fun for a ride to the local pub, the rack claims it can handle it, but is that realistic for my bike? Will the eyelets handle such weight? If it matters at all, it's a 90s steel Trek.

I always thought that the rating must have been a "typo" since it was so much higher than other quality racks like a Tubus steel rack that is spec'd at 88 lbs. I have an Axiom Journey rack that I really like but I'm not willing to find out if the rack's welds or the bike braze ons or the bolts break first.

If you look at the Axiom site, all of their racks are rated much higher than the norm. Not sure what they do, but I do know my friend got an Axiom rack and before it was bolted to his bike, we leaned it against a wall and were able to sit on it without it bending/flexing.

I think you'll risk the M5 bolts theading out from the dropout eyelets; happened to me with a lot less load.

Thorn rates some of their racks at a higher weight rating if 6mm bolts used. I do not recall what their rated numbers are, but that suggests that they decided that the limiting factor was the M5 bolt.

Amsterdammers frequently use their rear racks on their Opa/Oma bikes as side saddle people carriers .

as a Mechanic when I Mounted my Touring bike's racks I sought out higher strength steel Bolts

an indication is the stamping of 8.8 on the 8mm hex of a 5mm bolt. [for example]

and loc-tite ed them to not come loose.

I'd think it would be ok as long as you don't hit any big potholes on your way to the pub (prob. more likely to on the way back). I can sit on my rear rack without causing any damage and I'm above the stated weight limit on yours plus mine is Ascent's 'Basic Rack' which was selling for under $10.

Well, you can always find out - - -

chuckle. My wife has done all kinds of goofy things to her bikes, carrying people sitting on the rack, standing on the rack herself to attach a rope to a tree--I always tell her to stop that, but she doesnt listen and amazingly enough, none of the eyelets have snapped--but the rear rack on her old bike does have a bend to it, Im certain thats from standing on it. I also noticed the skewer is slightly bent as well....I suspect thats from the weight also.
What can I say, the other half just isnt very mechanically sympathetic or aware...

might i suggest a thinner girlfriend?

My concern would be how well the rack will take lateral stress from a passenger who might be shifting around much more than a normal load... this could cause the lowers to bend as they are strongest in their vertical plane and in this case, would appear to be designed for 80 pounds per side with that weight set low rather than a similar weight placed up top.

*rimshot*

Please tip your waitresses... saddlesores will be here all week.

I just thought of a good quote for this topic:

Its all fun and games until someone loses an eyelet!

;-)

Agreed.

But actually, she is within the rating by a little bit. That's why I said the rack claims it can handle carrying her. She's ~130lbs, so should have 15lbs of "wiggle room" for the rack. I figured that's enough to definitely not stress the rack as long as it's capable of it's claims. Those little eyelets just seem a little sketchy at that weight, though... I guess it should be fine according to what others here have experienced.

Thanks everyone for the input!