Front and Rear Racks Recommendation

[Nyimbo]

Since i last wrote about bike and budget I sold a couple things and saved some dollars -- with my budget of $791, I found an excellent used Novara Randonee on Craigslist and paid $600.  With my $191 left I just this week looked for a pair of racks for the bike and was quite surprised to find out what they cost.  I don't know why but in my subconscious mind I think I was expecting to pay about another hundred for the racks.

I looked on the Cyclosource store first and then tried to google some other less expensive alternatives but didn't really know what I was looking at.  How much quality do I need?  Do I need to budget more? About my trip - I am planning to join the TransAmerica travelers next summer.  I have already acquired some Ortlieb bags this past summer so if there are any suggestions for racks for carrying them across country on my "new to me" Randonee I would appreciate your suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks, Keith

[RussSeaton]

I have toured with a Blackburn Expedition rear rack, their heavy duty model.  And a Blackburn front low rider pannier rack.  Or a Nashbar front low rider rack.  All made with solid aluminum rods, welded together.  All work just fine.  Might have $60 or $70 into both racks on the bike now.  Plus some welding by my brother and cutting by me on the rear rack.  Had to make it fit the new bike.  Advantage of an aluminum rod rack.  If you know someone who can weld aluminum, you can easily modify it.

[Nyimbo]

If I email the Nashbar people do you suppose will they know if the rack fits a standard REI Randonee?

[Nyimbo]

Nashbar only has three front racks on their site: Blackburn Outpost Front Rack is 99.99 and the two Nashbar front racks are 12.99 and 19.99.  I am assuming that the two Nashbar racks are not good enough quality for a cross country trip.   I wish there was something of quality in between.

On google I found a Salsa Down Under Front Rack, Pair Black for 65 dollars.  Does anyone reading know if they are good enough.  I'm not sure what a pair of racks are - but I'm guessing they are like a pair of panniers and that they only come in pairs???

[staehpj1]

Nashbar only has three front racks on their site: Blackburn Outpost Front Rack is 99.99 and the two Nashbar front racks are 12.99 and 19.99.  I am assuming that the two Nashbar racks are not good enough quality for a cross country trip.

The Nashbar lowrider type front rack is fine.  My group of three all used them on the Trans America without problems.  I continued to use mine for subsequent tours without any concerns.  I think it is a good choice if you need front racks.

I even like the little platform rack that mounts on cantilever brake bosses, but not for heavy loads.  I mounted one on the back of the bike for an ultralight tour where I only carried about 11 pounds of gear (plus any food, fuel, and water as needed) split between a bar roll, that little rack, and a tiny back pack.  I had everything I needed for camping and cooking and it worked out very well.

[RussSeaton]

I have the Nashbar $19.99 front low rider rack on my touring bike right now.  Works good.  Blackburn EX-1 rear rack on the touring bike.  Its $35 on Amazon.  Think its less today than what I paid for it 23 years ago.  Have used these racks for hundreds or thousands of miles of loaded touring.

[staehpj1]

I have the Nashbar $19.99 front low rider rack on my touring bike right now.  Works good.  Blackburn EX-1 rear rack on the touring bike.  Its $35 on Amazon.  Think its less today than what I paid for it 23 years ago.  Have used these racks for hundreds or thousands of miles of loaded touring.

I have been really happy with the EX-1 too.  Great rack, decent price.