I’m looking for a rear rack for my road bike, but most of the ones I see or that get recommended often are $50-70. What is the main difference between a “nicer” rack and a cheap one like the one pictured? Is it worth it to spend up to $70 on one?
by Shnazz88
20 Comments
I have this one for 4 years now, using it with double bags for market trips, i hauled 6 12 packs of beer with those, without a problem, the only problem i had, is that you have to re tight the screws every 6 months, i lost one screw and had to find a replacement, not hard i had one at home
Does your bike have mount points for a rack? If so, you’ll want something designed to attach to them, rather than something that just clamps on.
Take your bike to the local co-op and they can get you sorted, likely for under $30.
steel racks will be stronger, heavier and usually less expensive compared to aluminum racks.
less expensive racks will also have cheaper fasteners more prone to rusting and breaking, while nicer racks will use stronger, stainless steel fasteners.
more expensive racks may also be part of a “system” that integrates with certain bags and accessories.
that looks to be a fair deal at only $30 for the rack pictured, but I would expect it to be relatively heavy and to have super cheap fasteners.
post a photo of your bike’s rear triangle for more informed suggestions.
I can’t remember what I paid but I have a RockBros rack and it works great. My only gripe is securing the pannier to the rack when it’s full, sucks. I resorted to carrying my stuff out to my garage in a duffel bag (the one I normally lug to the office and gym) and loading the pannier on the bike. The more expensive one with the quick lock would be nice.
I’ve had good luck with cheap racks that connect to the bike’s pannier mounts. I’ve never had good luck with ones like in the photo that rely on clamp-ons top and bottom.
Installed that one a couple of weeks ago on a beather bike. You really have to tighten the seatstay attachments, I mean really tight. Had to cut the bolts with a dremel for fear they might meet the spokes. Use locktite everywhere on all the bolts. The rack is actually held up just by 2 grub screws/set screws, I don’t trust it with anything heavy. The reflector mounting is wonky so the thing vibrates quite a lot and it’s annoying. The seatpost attachment may be too big for your seatpost, they supply shims but may not be enough. All in all quite wonky, the return window expired on Amzon so I’m stuck with it. Would not recommend.
should be fine
That one in your pic is a POS. Stay far away. Very flimsy, extremely poor connection points, and the side rails don’t come down nearly far enough to be of any use. The seatpost clamp is also hot garbage – it has a QR lever, but you then need to unscrew it nearly all the way for the bolt to clear the corresponding slot and actually let the post go.
You may be able to find cheap racks with better geometry that address the specific problems with this one. It all depends on whether you can mount it to your bike, adjust it to the proper height / level it, and whether it drives you crazy or not in the process.
If you don’t have mounting points in the right places (downtube, etc.), you may be able to use hose mounting brackets from the hardware store to adapt a rack to your bike.
It’s better to attach to the frame than the seat post
I have that exact rack on my hybrid and love it. I don’t put people on it but it holds all my stuff and is very flexible when it comes to installation
One thing to keep in mind. The cam that attaches to the seat post must be straight or it runs ur inner thigh
I used this rack on a cyclocross bike that had no mounting points; it was totally “fine.” The bike is much more fun without that rack, so I was happy when I got a dedicated bike for winter and could set my Ridley free!
The Topeak versions start at around $50 and will be much better. The truly rugged ones can be $150-200
Tortec racks are very reasonably priced and good quality. the velocity is a nice low profile rack that suits road bikes.
What is your planned use? Light loads just carrying a few things like tools, sunblock, and extra water? Or are you thinking about heavy loads like bicycle touring, bikepacking, or hauling groceries?
$70 isn’t much in the world of racks.
But I would recommend the Soma Rakku 2. Great rack.
Also most Blackburn racks are good enough and around $60 base.
I have very similar bike rack. I got it because I thought it can be easily removed and put on with the quick release. But there are 4 additional hex bots per side, so 8 total, that need to be loosened and tightened on the seat stay. So it is not truly on-demand removable.
It works OK.
If your bike has bike rack mounting points, just buy a solid bike rack. You don’t need one with all these hinges, pivots, and seat stay clamps. There are no-name solid ones on Amazon for $35 to $45.
If your bike doesn’t have eyelet and braze-on, then you need one of these that can clamp onto the seat post and seat stay.
https://preview.redd.it/vtn96hxxrs8f1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1dca544ad76d6fc6ed4d9ecbe28248d858856ac
I mean that will work for light loads.
But the instant you put any pressure on that, that isn’t directly up and down, it is going to bend or fold.
If you want something that will last, that is not going to be it.
I have one of this and i think it’s cheap but not bad
What do you want to transport and how often. For light use on good roads the cheap ones are great. Less than 5Kg and less than 10km.
For Daily use with a heavy office bag get something better.
Do not get that one, the screws rattle loose and those that I didn’t loose got rusty in a matter of weeks.