Racks

[DaveB]

. I broke an aluminum rack in a recent crash.

I's hardly say that's an argument against aluminum racks.  A crash can and will break any rack.

[staehpj1]

. I broke an aluminum rack in a recent crash.

I's hardly say that's an argument against aluminum racks.  A crash can and will break any rack.

Not knocking what others buy, but that was my thought as well.

Besides, I think crashing and breaking a rack is a pretty rare occurrence and if it did occur I'd rather break a $30 rack than a $130 one.

[dkoloko]

I switched from Blackburn to Tubus racks because Ortlieb bags fit better. AFAIK Blackburn no longer offers front racks. 20lb per pannier is a reasonable limit. Four bags, 80 lb, plus bike; enough to get you most anywhere; less weight better. While any panniers may do, IMHE waterproof panniers are the way to go.

[westrid_dad]

I'm getting back into bicycle touring after a 20-year absence.  For what it is worth, on my first cross-country tour back in the 80's I actually broke two Blackburn low-rider front racks.  Granted, I may have been packing more weight up front in order to try to better balance my load front to back, however, the overall weight wasn't anything extreme.  After I returned from that tour, I purchased a set of Bruce Gordon chrome-moly steel racks.  They were trouble-free on many tours after that, and I have since moved them from one bike to another to another for commuting.  Now, I'm looking at doing a tour this summer, and I'll be using those same racks again.

http://www.bgcycles.com/racks.html



If I were in the market for new racks, I'd definitely be looking at steel versus aluminum for its durability and stability.  Yes, it will cost more, and may be tougher to justify if you do not plan on using them very often, either for touring, commuting, shopping, etc.

[BikingBrian]

For another bike, I received a Blackburn EX-1 rear rack via mail order yesterday. The design is the same as my old rack, but the construction is a little different. The old one was made in the USA and has solid 9mm aluminum tubing. The new one was made in China and has hollow (!) aluminum tubing. They quote 9mm for the tubing, though some of the struts measure about 11mm. I'm sure it will hold up fine to its 40 pound rated weight limit, but to say I am disappointed would be an understatement.

[staehpj1]

For another bike, I received a Blackburn EX-1 rear rack via mail order yesterday. The design is the same as my old rack, but the construction is a little different. The old one was made in the USA and has solid 9mm aluminum tubing. The new one was made in China and has hollow (!) aluminum tubing. They quote 9mm for the tubing, though some of the struts measure about 11mm. I'm sure it will hold up fine to its 40 pound rated weight limit, but to say I am disappointed would be an understatement.

FWIW.  The fact that it has hollow tubing rather than solid rod is a good thing in my opinion.  Assuming the same alloy, tubing has most of the stiffness at a reduced weight  Solid rod is actually a sign of a lesser made rack.

Now if it has worse welds or a lesser alloy that is another matter.

[BikingBrian]

FWIW.  The fact that it has hollow tubing rather than solid rod is a good thing in my opinion.  Assuming the same alloy, tubing has most of the stiffness at a reduced weight  Solid rod is actually a sign of a lesser made rack.

I would agree only if the tubing is larger diameter to compensate. How much larger it would need to be, I don't know. Maybe that's why the struts are now 11mm, though the website says 9mm. Perhaps the 9mm on the website is dated.

Now if it has worse welds or a lesser alloy that is another matter.

The weld in the back doesn't go as far across on the new rack. Can't speak to the quality of the welds or the alloy.

In any event, last night I found an "old" style EX-1 on Ebay that was used only once at a really good price, so I scooped that up.

[dkoloko]

For what it is worth, on my first cross-country tour back in the 80's I actually broke two Blackburn low-rider front racks.  Granted, I may have been packing more weight up front in order to try to better balance my load front to back, however, the overall weight wasn't anything extreme.
http://www.bgcycles.com/racks.html

What was the weight on the low riders? Was mounting to braze-ons or clamps? Were the low riders hooped? I had no trouble with hoopless braze-on Blackburn low riders over years of use with loads up to 20 lb a side. Not doubting your experience; just wondering details.

[2sailkayakbike]

We're looking at the Old Man Mountain racks for ease of taking them on and off at airports/trains/boats when we take the bikes apart...they are about 2.3 pounds so a bit on the heavy side.  Any other recommendations appreciated.

[jimbeard]

I have a 2013 Trek 520 with this stock rack rated for 50 lbs
http://americancycleandfitness.com/product/bontrager-backrack-deluxe-l-154669-1.htm?variations=34642&gclid=CO-vp6eE9LwCFQ_l7AodYmwAGg
Has any one used this rack for loaded touring?

[westrid_dad]

For what it is worth, on my first cross-country tour back in the 80's I actually broke two Blackburn low-rider front racks.  Granted, I may have been packing more weight up front in order to try to better balance my load front to back, however, the overall weight wasn't anything extreme.
http://www.bgcycles.com/racks.html

What was the weight on the low riders? Was mounting to braze-ons or clamps? Were the low riders hooped? I had no trouble with hoopless braze-on Blackburn low riders over years of use with loads up to 20 lb a side. Not doubting your experience; just wondering details.

Sorry for the late reply.  I really can't remember what the weight was up front during those tours, but back then I was trying to shift at least half the total gear weight up to the front, so it could have been around 35-40 lbs or so between the two front panniers.  I was using the hoopless low riders, and they were attached to braze-ons on the fork.  One of the failures occurred when one of the rack frames snapped.  It wasn't at a joint, nor where it attached to the fork, it was in the middle of the frame.  I "patched" it by using cut-up spokes and hose clamps to splint the frame until I was able to get to a bike shop.  To their credit, Blackburn sent me a new rack no-charge and had it waiting for me at the bike shop.