Racks

[boobike]

Hi all,

I'm just getting into touring and am looking for a rack.  I love the aesthetics of the payload (http://www.ridepdw.com/goods/cargo/payload) but wonder how compatible it is with panniers.  It is rated for 77lbs so it seems plenty strong. I have a Surley Cross Check which should be compatible.

Is this a good choice for a rack or am I just blinded by its looks?

Thanks,
Taylor

[DaveB]

Link doesn't work

[mdxix]

Try this link: http://www.ridepdw.com/goods/cargo/payload™

[driftlessregion]

It is gorgeous, but the sucker weighs 3#!  One of the best is the Tobus Cargo which weighs only 18 oz. Nitto's beautiful, and strong rear rack is about 22 oz. I applaud you if you don't worry about an extra pound or so but once you load it up the beauty is hidden, so save the weight.

[John Nelson]

Not only is it 3 pounds (which itself would be a killer for me), but it seems to lack the structural elements necessary to give it rigidity and keep it from swaying. Most reviewers say that you need three struts for such stability under load.

[DaveB]

It impresses me as form overwhelming function.  Heavy and structurally suspect.  Blackburn racks are well regarded and both lighter and less expensive. 

[JayH]

Certainly looks pretty but not sure if I would want anything close to 77lbs on it. One weld and the thing would fail. 

Having said that, depending on your needs, tubus, Old Man Mountain, certainly would make more/better functional racks I think.

Jay

[dkoloko]

It is a strange choice for touring. Although weight rating is adequate, it lacks triangulation usually associated with a strong bicycle frame. I would also be concerned with maintaining a wood top on tour.

[staehpj1]

I agree with the other comments.  It is a poor choice, heavy expensive, and judging by appearance poorly designed.  If on a budget or just frugal get a Blackburn EX-1, one of the Axiom touring models, or similar.

If you really want to spend more, buy a Tubus.  Personally I think Tubus is overkill though.

[RussSeaton]

Blackburn racks.  EX-1 for the rear.  FL-1 lowrider for the front.  $80 for both racks.

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/270?gclid=CLSGqMXvrLYCFc9AMgodxl4AgA

http://www.westernbikeworks.com/product/blackburn-fl-1-standard-lo-rider-front-rack?v=0000000&utm_campaign=products&utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&adl=1&gclid=COewl-jvrLYCFfA-Mgod3BoApA

[boobike]

Fair enough and thanks for the advice. I had a feeling they weren't ideal but I liked them so much I had to check. If 77lbs is overkill, how much am I looking to support on the rear racks? Is is worth the price to pay for a nice rack or am I better off putting than money into the bike somewhere else? 

Speaking of, are these ( http://www.rei.com/product/833203/seattle-sports-titan-1500-panniers-pair-special-buy ) panniers suitable? I've been looking at the Ortlieb Classics and while they hold a little more they are also significantly pricier.

Thanks again for all the help!

[RussSeaton]

how much am I looking to support on the rear racks? Is is worth the price to pay for a nice rack or am I better off putting than money into the bike somewhere else? 

Speaking of, are these ( http://www.rei.com/product/833203/seattle-sports-titan-1500-panniers-pair-special-buy ) panniers suitable? I've been looking at the Ortlieb Classics and while they hold a little more they are also significantly pricier.

Roughly, 20-30 pounds per rack.  Most fully loaded tourists with four panniers, handlebar bag, have about 40-60 pounds total.  Its best to have less if possible.  But most folks tend to carry more than less.  You may read about people carrying 100+ pounds of gear and/or trailers.  But don't emulate those people.  They would have more fun if they carried half as much.  Try to get by with as little as possible.  You won't suffer that much.

Most racks will work fine.  The Blackburn racks listed above have been used for decades and are high quality for not much money.  You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for racks.  $80 of Blackburn racks will last for decades of touring.

Most panniers will work fine.  I use Nashbar mountain panniers.  About $80 for four panniers.  Used them for many years.  As long as the bags attach sort of securely to the racks, they will work fine.  You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for functional panniers.

[DaveB]

Fair enough and thanks for the advice. I had a feeling they weren't ideal but I liked them so much I had to check. If 77lbs is overkill, how much am I looking to support on the rear racks? Is is worth the price to pay for a nice rack or am I better off putting than money into the bike somewhere else? 

Speaking of, are these ( http://www.rei.com/product/833203/seattle-sports-titan-1500-panniers-pair-special-buy ) panniers suitable? I've been looking at the Ortlieb Classics and while they hold a little more they are also significantly pricier.

Thanks again for all the help!

The objection to the rack you showed isn't that you need 77 pounds of capacity (you don't) but that we doubt it would stand up to that load anyway.

As RussSeaton confirmed, Blackburn racks have a long established reputation for durability at moderate cost and should meet your needs very well. 

Tubus racks are extremely well made and strong and Ortlieb panniers are very durable but both are very expensive overkill unless you plan to tour for months and months at a time and be in some pretty remote places.   

As to total gear weight, lighter is better.  The tourists who carry 60 pounds or more are just poor planners or are carrying things most don't need like work-related gear.  The first big hill you come to will make you curse every extra pound. 

[dkoloko]

Blackburn racks.  EX-1 for the rear.  FL-1 lowrider for the front.  $80 for both racks.

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/270?gclid=CLSGqMXvrLYCFc9AMgodxl4AgA

http://www.westernbikeworks.com/product/blackburn-fl-1-standard-lo-rider-front-rack?v=0000000&utm_campaign=products&utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&adl=1&gclid=COewl-jvrLYCFfA-Mgod3BoApA

Western Bike Works says low rider is out of stock. Is Blackburn still making front racks? I thought Blackburn discontinued them under new ownership.

As to load carrying capacity, I found Blackburn racks fine, particularly if used the Expedition rack , stoutest of the three rear racks they used to make, and used the hoop front rack or the hoopless to fork braze-ons. I have heard of Blackburn racks breaking, but that's more strain I ever put on them. I switched to Tubus racks when I bought Ortlieb bags; the Ortblieb bags fit better on the Tubus racks.

[willpower01]

Tubus. I broke an aluminum rack in a recent crash. After that, I'll never use anything but steel. I use a tubus logo and my wife uses the tubus cargo. I prefer the logo since the panniers attach lower.