Rack
The frame of the rear rack should be supported by six brackets (3 at both sides), guaranteeing durability and rigidity (the luggage does not move during the ride). I advise against buying heavy oridinary steel racks. You can buy excellent Tubus racks made of Cr-Mo steel tubes. Their advantage is that they can be easily welded if broken, while few repair shops weld aluminium racks, so any crack may pose a difficulty. However, until now, I have not had any problems with them.
When mounting a rack, spring washers are worth using. You will spare yourself daily problems with tightening the screws and will avoid stripping the thread. It is especially unpleasant if you have an aluminium frame. If your bike frame does not have rack mounting holes, you can drill them in a derailleur hanger - in such places so as to avoid damaging it.
Most cheap aluminium racks are only welded on one side, where all rack brackets meet. Under a heavy load, the welds may break. Therefore, before you set off, I recommend a visit in a repair shop where you can make additional welds on the other side as well.
When you go on a long expedition taking much luggage, a front rack is necessary (Low Rider type is the best choice). There is a special way of attaching it to a fork. However, your fork must have at least one mounting hole on each side of the axle hanger (there are also Low Riders which do not require these holes – they are specifically designed for suspension forks). Having purchased your Low Rider, check if the u-bolt clamps fit your fork. If they are too small, you should bend them a bit, or make new, bigger ones. Once mounted, the structure is very rigid and stable, which is important during a fast ride. The use of a front rack makes cycling much more comfortable. Firstly, it takes weight off the rear axle and as a result, spokes do not break that often. Secondly, the bike is much more stable, especially during uphill climbs and fast downhill rides. The reason is that the centre of gravity is moved forward and lowered, which makes the ride more pleasant.
When mounting a rack, spring washers are worth using. You will spare yourself daily problems with tightening the screws and will avoid stripping the thread. It is especially unpleasant if you have an aluminium frame. If your bike frame does not have rack mounting holes, you can drill them in a derailleur hanger - in such places so as to avoid damaging it.
Most cheap aluminium racks are only welded on one side, where all rack brackets meet. Under a heavy load, the welds may break. Therefore, before you set off, I recommend a visit in a repair shop where you can make additional welds on the other side as well.
When you go on a long expedition taking much luggage, a front rack is necessary (Low Rider type is the best choice). There is a special way of attaching it to a fork. However, your fork must have at least one mounting hole on each side of the axle hanger (there are also Low Riders which do not require these holes – they are specifically designed for suspension forks). Having purchased your Low Rider, check if the u-bolt clamps fit your fork. If they are too small, you should bend them a bit, or make new, bigger ones. Once mounted, the structure is very rigid and stable, which is important during a fast ride. The use of a front rack makes cycling much more comfortable. Firstly, it takes weight off the rear axle and as a result, spokes do not break that often. Secondly, the bike is much more stable, especially during uphill climbs and fast downhill rides. The reason is that the centre of gravity is moved forward and lowered, which makes the ride more pleasant.
