Fullcount

Finally bit the bullet and went for my dream bike. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Trek 520..., but deep down inside, I wanted a Trucker. Now I need front and back racks. Want something with a bar below the top platform so I can maneuver stuff easier on top without interfering with the pannier top hooks. Light stuff is always good.

I considered the front and rear rack that Surly makes, but can't find any reviews on them. Keep in mind, this bike has disc brakes and I am unfamiliar with the clearance issues. I have a Jandd Expedition rack on the front of my 520 and a Rack Time Addit on the back. Don't know if I can use something similar on a disc bike. Thanks in advance for your help.

Vintage_Cyclist

Jandd sells a rack adapter for bikes with disc brakes.

Disc Brake Adapter for Racks and Fenders

DeadGrandpa

I just installed a brand new Blackburn Outpost Front Rack on my Novara Safari and I like it so far. It is not light but it is well built; you can remove the top platform to reduce weight and the rack is designed for disc brakes. There is a companion rear rack (I did not get this one; bike already had one), and I especially like the trapezoidal design of it when viewed from the front or rear; the structure makes the rack stronger and less susceptible to lateral shifting under load. It is also ready for disc brakes. The folks that make racks from cr-mo tubing do not like racks made from aluminum tubing, but my Blackburn Outpost seems well made. Due to cost, I am keeping the chinese rack made from aluminum rod; the design is similar to the Blackburn Outpost rear rack.

OUTPOST FRONT WORLD TOURING RACK
OUTPOST REAR WORLD TOURING RACK

Fullcount

Thanks for the link. Both racks look nice. I didn't see any instruction on mounting. I am going to guess it came with some hardware to attach to the mid fork braze on?

Fullcount

Do these adapters require you to spread the rack apart to allow for the extra with needed to get past the calipers? And does this potentially weaken the rack?

veganbikes

I do like my Surly Nice Rack. It is heavier than I would like but panniers mount well and it holds the load nicely. Plus it works quite well on my DT. I will say I am looking at getting a Tubus rack to replace it, not because I don't love the rack but just to cut down on some weight. My goal is to start cutting out more weight both on the bike, in my packing and my gut.

The Outpost seems like a cool Aluminum and Scandium rack but for the cost and how much weight it can hold I would probably go with something else if I am building up a solid touring rig. You can get a Tubus Cargo EVO for around the same price (sometimes cheaper sometimes a little more) and the Nice Rack for around $140.

Enjoy your DT and welcome to the club.

DeadGrandpa

Yes, all hardware included. The gizmo to hook to the mid fork braze on gave me a little head scratching but eventually I worked it out after looking at the instruction photo six or seven times and then trying several ways to make it work. After I solved the attachment problem it seemed very simple and rock solid. I would take a picture and upload it here, but I am techno challenged in the photo area. My phone doesn't bluetooth my computer, I misplaced my camera's memory card reader... Maybe next week.