33
votes
Accepted
Why is my rear rack shaped like this?
I suspect it is one end of a pump holder. It holds one end of a pump. If my suspicion is true, there should be at the other end of the rack something to hold the other end of the pump. You compress ...
- 20.7k
21
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
I avoid backpacks where possible
1) Sweat - I get damp enough wearing just a cycling top. Putting anything else on top makes it much worse.
2) Crashing - Occasionally I have carried a toolbox in a ...
- 130k
21
votes
Accepted
What are the differences between a seatpost-mounted and frame-mounted rear rack
The advantages of seat mounted racks are that they don’t require rear dropout rack lugs; some of the seat mount racks have quick release levers so you can easily take them off (while racing or ...
- 29.4k
17
votes
Accepted
Can I install a back bike rack without attachment to the rear part of the frame?
Several manufacturers make replacement seatpost collars with integrated rack mount holes. Just make sure you get the right diameter for your seat tube. Here is an example:
- 1,895
14
votes
Buying rear rack during pandemic crisis - go real bottom, up high, or wait?
25kg on a rear rack is already very hard to handle, especially if it’s on the top of the rack. Start leaning the bike unconsciously while standing at a red traffic light and you’ll suddenly do a very ...
- 28.8k
14
votes
How can I get a long rear rack with flat deck?
There's the Wald Woody for example, with a plywood top, and I've seen a few similar ones, but I suggest you get a rack that suits you and DIY the top plate.
I'd probably use 6mm plywood, well ...
- 61.4k
13
votes
What is a safe weight for front rack + luggage for a steel race bike fork?
An axle-mounted rack on a steel fork will handle a tremendous amount of weight. For example, Old Man Mountain's Divide rack is rated for 32 kg when mounted on the wheel axle even when mounted on a ...
- 1,118
12
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
Weight on the bike is easier to manage than weight on your body. The bike will handle a bit differently, but you'll quickly get used to it.
If all you use the bike for is commuting, you should get ...
- 5,735
11
votes
Accepted
"Racing bikes" with fenders and a rack
The problem with nostagia is the n+1 rule. Bikes manufacturers have been on a never ending quest to make bikes more and more task specific. This means most "racing" bikes are not well suited to ...
- 30.7k
11
votes
What do i do if the bicycle rack on the bus is full?
Your responses to the suggestions so far show that you definitely need to take your bike on a bus, which is cool since it rules out all the other possibles variables that these:
So the bottom lines ...
- 450
11
votes
Accepted
Tern Spartan (front rack) on Bike Friday NWT
Yes, a Tern Spartan Front Rack does fit on a BikeFriday New World Tourist (and also the Tern Cargo rear rack):
To prevent the rack from interfering with the V-brakes I mounted the upper end of the ...
- 1,528
11
votes
Back rack good for commute?
Counter to the answer that 'cmaster - reinstate monica' gave, you CAN put your backpack directly in a basket on a rack. It's easy!
Install a rear rack as many other answers suggest. If you're not ...
- 399
10
votes
Can I mount a rack on eyelets that aren't horizontal?
Just an idea: V-brakes shoes typically come with "cups and cones" (the aluminium parts between the shoe itself and the nut in the picture below), to allow a correction of the alignment. Not ...
- 22.9k
10
votes
What is a safe weight for front rack + luggage for a steel race bike fork?
Another consideration is handling - adding weight around a fork/bars negatively impacts how fast you can turn the bars, and can also vary the effects of rake and trail altering the effective geometry.
...
- 130k
9
votes
When installing a rear rack, should I attach the struts to the frame or the seat post on my small bike?
From rack strength perspective it doesn't make much difference. Most of the weight is going straight down to the rear dropout. The front connection is mostly for stability and isn't bearing much ...
- 29.4k
9
votes
Accepted
Giant Rack-It Front Rack experience + bow vs. "bow-free" front racks
Stability of load will likely be quite different between the Tubus and giant racks.
For the Tubus racks the Tara had a cross brace to help stabilize the load. The Tubus duo does not, but if you ...
- 30.7k
9
votes
How can I get a long rear rack with flat deck?
If your goal is to carry reasonably long but light items, another DIY way would be to take an adapter for a known attachment system and screw a plywood plate on it — or you can also go more custom.
...
- 22.9k
9
votes
Accepted
How would one determine if enlarging the loadbearing screw holes for the bike rack is a good idea?
To get the canned advice part out of the way: it's pretty common for problems with broken rack bolts to come after the bolts have spent some time loose under a heavy load. It's possible that going ...
- 87.3k
8
votes
Buying rear rack during pandemic crisis - go real bottom, up high, or wait?
In your situation, I would buy the cheaper option.
Firstly, you will limit the amount of money you lose if you still want the mid-range rack later on.
Secondly, I don't know how much experience you ...
- 3,339
8
votes
How would one determine if enlarging the loadbearing screw holes for the bike rack is a good idea?
My preferred option is to remove the remaining bolt and preserve the frame. It should be a simple task to any engineering shop and does not need to be a bike shop. Using an Easy out screw extractor ...
- 52.4k
8
votes
Accepted
What is a safe weight for front rack + luggage for a steel race bike fork?
I would have no concern about the fork's ability to carry this load.
Also, consider this: nearly all the weight is going to be transmitted directly to the axle, bypassing the fork entirely. The mount ...
- 30.4k
7
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
Weight on your body takes additional energy to carry, but it's also easier to move dynamically (it moves with your body and doesn't change the feel of the bike). I have always used and preferred ...
- 10k
7
votes
What type of bicycle parking rack should my company install?
As someone who rides their bike everywhere I have experienced a great many types of bike rack. In my opinion the best choice is a Sheffield Stand.
Image Copyright David Wright CC BY-SA 2.0
(http:/...
- 1,056
7
votes
Can I move one bike with a second bike with a QR and carrier-rack attachment?
Would not recommend
I have tried this - and it works well up to where it all went badly wrong.
So I had an old front wheel hollow axle with a QR skewer through it. There were two locknuts and two ...
- 130k
7
votes
Accepted
Options for carrying a smart briefcase on a bike (pannier or otherwise)
Depending on the thickness of your briefcase it may be a solution to hang it under the frame in the main triangle (if it fits there) but since you are thinking about a folding bike it is not a ...
- 4,361
7
votes
What are the differences between a seatpost-mounted and frame-mounted rear rack
RoboKaren's answer is great on the pros and cons, so I'll restrict myself to explicitly answering
... why would someone get the seatpost-mounted rack over the frame-mounted rack?
Really, the only ...
- 17k
7
votes
Accepted
Purpose of fork with single bidon mount and no eyelets?
The mount is for pannier racks that sit low on your fork. In the absence of this mount I have seen a bracket used, but this is more secure. The rack also mounts using the front axle.
- 736
7
votes
Accepted
Folding basket - is there such a thing?
A subset of panniers that are designed for shopping bags are often called "grocery panniers," the distinguishing features being an open top and dimensions similar to the base of a paper grocery bag (...
- 2,277
7
votes
Buying rear rack during pandemic crisis - go real bottom, up high, or wait?
As others say, this is your decision. Here's what I decided:
Personally, I use one of the sturdy expensive ones (a Tubus Logo, which has now gone around with me something between 30000 and 60000 km in ...
- 1,324
7
votes
Back rack good for commute?
If you want to try a carrier/parcel rack, then there are plenty to choose from. Yes they are definitely useful, if they suit your riding style and luggage needs.
Seatpost cantilevered vs struts Some ...
- 130k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible