Hi folks,
Been commuting on my bike a lot recently, but I realized my backpack is a bit too heavy for sustained bike commuting. I’ve been looking for pannier racks online, and I’m trying to figure out what’s compatible with my bike. I’ve found sockets to attach the rack near my rear axle/hub (pic 1), but I’m a bit confused on another spot. I saw these two things that look like rubber plugs that might just be covering unused sockets for a pannier rack (pic 2), but I don’t know for sure if that’s what they are. Basically, I’m wondering if the rack in pic 3 is compatible with my bike (tire diameter is fine, it’s just the attachment style), or if I need one that latches to the seat post instead, like pic 4.
Thanks in advance!
by MrMyelin
9 Comments
Should be okay. Try prying the rubber caps off wirh screwdriver.
Installing racks can be finicky, especially if you dont have a lot of screws on hand, as you need the right length. Might want to consider buying at a bike shop. Many will install for free.
The first rack would be my choice, though you don’t normally need the extra wide “disc brake” design, even with disc brake bikes. The rubber plugs are normal to cover a threaded attachment made for a rack.
If those aren’t mounts under the rubber cap, you can probably still use the first type of rack with p clamps
Your bike should be relatively easy to fit a rack to, but it’s more art than science. If you’re not especially handy, it’s nice to leave it to a pro.
I suspect the rubber plugs are covering threaded attachment points so you’re probably good. If not, then I would recommend a seat collar that has attachment points built in rather than a rack that attaches directly to the seatpost.
https://preview.redd.it/wv62c1s7uxpf1.jpeg?width=642&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5acbd513b1642422220c475cc5c53c9a307c671b
Those are for sure just plugs to protect the frame from too much water ingress there. Pop them off and those are threaded holes for a rack.
Get the first kind of rack. They’re more secure and load the frame the way it’s meant to be loaded, rather than hanging excess weight off the seatpost.
I literally just installed the first one with the chrome rods. Don’t get it. You really have to bend the rods they are hind laser cut junk. I don’t like it
It’s best to take your bike to a mega store and see what fits. If you have eyelets get a rack that uses them. All those rubber clamp things creep me out as the frame wasn’t designed for hauling.
You can get away with slapping bobbed fenders on that kind of bike but not a lot of weight.
For a bike without disc brakes, almost any rack will work.
Those are probably M5 or M6 bolt attachments points on the dropout, and probably M5 sockets on the seatstay.
Get a basic rack like a Topeak DX or the like that bolts to the seatstays and dropouts, and you’ll be fine.