which racks?

[bruno]

i did a cursory search and didn't really see much. i want to put racks on 2 of my bikes. expense isn't really an issue. in yalls opinion which are the best. i can't decide betwixt bruce gordon or tubus. any others i should consider? thanks!

[ragincajun]

Bruno,

I am doing the same thing and I have talked to ten people over the past two months in more that one forum.  I am going to suggest Robert Beckman Designs to you because I love the strength and simplicity and looks of this rack. http://www.coinet.com/~beckman/rrack2.jpg

You may notice that the way the rack connects to the frame is nicer than just about any other!

[wanderingwheel]

Between Bruce Gordon and Tubus, I would probably choose Bruce, assuming price isn't an issue.  The biggest factors in my choice are the larger platform on the Bruce Gordon, and the ability to mount the panniers further back.  Neither one has a solid top platform, which I would prefer, but Bruce's is closer.  Even though I doubt it makes any difference in the real world (except maybe to make the rack heavier), I like the steel construction of Gordon's racks over Tubus' aluminum.

Between Bruce Gordon and Robert Beckman?  Too close to call.

Seam

[cyclesafe]

Tubus are made with 25CrMo4 steel.

[wanderingwheel]

Oops, my mistake.  Thanks for correcting me.

Sean

[RussellSeaton]

Blackburn Expedition.  Been made for decades longer than any of the other racks have been in existence.  Carried more tons of gear around the world on touring bikes than all of the other racks combined times 10.  Made from solid aluminum rod.  Not hollow steel tubes that are subject to kinks.  Bend a hollow tube and it kinks.  It cannot be bent back.  Bend a solid rod.  Just bend it back and its about as good as it was.

Based upon appearance, Jandd also seem to be good racks.  Bigger and heavier than Blackburn Expedition more or less.  Solid aluminum rods too.

[ragincajun]

You know Thorn also makes some bombproof racks.  Wandering Wheel mentioned that he preferred a solid top platform.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46905038@N00/279222209/
This is not completely solid but it is close.

 

[jimbeard]

 Another vote for Blackburn Expedition been using for many years with no problems .It seems to me that tubular racks wont hold up but that is just my opinion.

Jim

[ptaylor]

My favorite racks are Nitto. the only US dealer for them, that I know of is Rivendell.

Paul

[cfessler]

Which front racks are best? I am looking at the Blackburn Custom front lowrider, does anyone use this rack?

[bruno]

kinda dear but i'm thinkin' of one of these:

ahearnecycles.com

[cfessler]

I'm a poor college kid and don't want to fork out >$300 for a rack!  I'm looking at anything under $50.00

[biker_james]

I hear you on the price of some of these things. I use an Axiom brand front rack, which was about $30, if I remember correctly. My wife has an MEC brand (MEC is the Canadian equivalent to REI I guess)that was about the same price. They've gone most of the way across Canada, and a lot of short trips also over the years.

[wanderingwheel]

The Blackburn Custom racks are a good choice for the Trek 520.  They work great with the fork and keep the weight nice and low.  Some larger panniers hang a little low on them and can scrape the road during tight turns.  I don't think this is a real issue, I've had it happen only a handful of times with my Trek 520, Blackburn Custom rack, and Jandd Mountain panniers over about 10,000 miles.

I've since transitioned to midmount front racks so that I can continue using large front panniers and so that I now have a new platform to lash stuff to.  I was never really fond of handlbar bags, and so the excuse to get rid of them and use the top of the front rack instead proved too tempting.  I've had good experience with both the Jandd Extreme and the Nitto/Rivendell front racks.

Sean

[ptaylor]

CFessler:

The Blackburn Custom Front Lowrider is the only rack I have used on the front. I have about 10,000 miles of loaded touring with it. It has been flawless: when I bought it about 15 years ago, it was one of the very few front racks available. That the design is unchanged speaks for its value. If your fork has the brazed on bosses for the rack, it will serve you well. I can't comment on the clamp-on bosses.

If my rack was stolen or destroyed, would I replace it with the same? No, for two reasons.

• I have more money to spend on biking now that I'm rich and retired
• I like the racks with a platform above the wheel for carrying extras temporarily.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I would get the Nitto/Rivendell.

Paul