beam racks

peejay78
peejay78 Posts: 3,378
edited June 2007 in Tour & expedition
i am thinking of doing a longer ride, three-four day excursion, but my condor doesn't have rack fittings/braze-ons/doodahs.

is a beam rack a viable alternative? i'll be travelling light...

are they any good?
winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv
http://traumradfahren.wordpress.com/

Comments

  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    Tubus do a set of fittings for this type of frame allowing most of their racks to fit.
    http://www.biketrax.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b44s79p0

    As always - this is an example - do shop around.

    I have always had problems with these beam type racks swinging on the seatpost when loaded, my Blackburn actually swong into contact with the wheels no matter how tight it was fitted.



    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • peejay78
    peejay78 Posts: 3,378
    so it mounts from seat post to axle, is that right?
    winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
    summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv
    http://traumradfahren.wordpress.com/
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    Sorry - didn't understand.

    The Tubus system has two clips that fit on the down stays, and the axle itself.

    For the Beam racks, they fit upon the seatpost only, this is the one I use.

    The beam can rotate on the seat post so the side supports which are "hanging free" can come in contact with the wheel.



    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • peejay78
    peejay78 Posts: 3,378
    the tubus system looks grand.

    i think i'lll invest in one of those.

    does it damage the stays?
    winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
    summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv
    http://traumradfahren.wordpress.com/
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    Not if fitted sensibly, but a small layer of tape for the paintwork is advisable.


    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • Oracle
    Oracle Posts: 51
    Peejay78

    I am aware of 2 chaps who fitted beam racks at the same time and ended up with cracked frames owing to resonance effect caused by vibrations from the beam rack. Also found comments on the www about this. Suggest you consider lightweight rack/panniers and p-clips.
  • vernonlevy
    vernonlevy Posts: 969
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by peejay78</i>

    i am thinking of doing a longer ride, three-four day excursion, but my condor doesn't have rack fittings/braze-ons/doodahs.

    is a beam rack a viable alternative? i'll be travelling light...

    are they any good?
    winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
    summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

    I used my beam rack twice before abandoning it. It rotated on the seatpost and came into contact with the rear tyre. As I wanted to use the bike on mild off road trails it was vitually useless as it oscillated laterally.

    Don't buy one. You will be diasppointed with the performance.
  • plusgourmande
    plusgourmande Posts: 307
    Hey PJ, i'm doing the same as you and have similar problems with a lack of fittings for a rack...

    I will try and work out a hack for a standard rack, and get back to you.
  • sjcpcp
    sjcpcp Posts: 604
    If you do a search of the forum you will see that this is reguarly discussed.
    Basically, beam-racks have all the problems that have been described above so most people who haven't got rack braze-ons use a Carradice saddlebag with a Bagman or SQR mount, which attach to the saddle rails or seat post but are a lot more secure than a beam-rack.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Seems I am the exception to the rule.
    I have used the Amoeba rack and a Carradice Rack Bag for many years now, on road bikes and tourers.
    never had a bit of trouble with it.

    george

    _________________________________
    Trip
    www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

    2 Bikes
    http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes
  • Gadge
    Gadge Posts: 135
    <If you do a search of the forum you will see that this is reguarly discussed.>

    Maybe but everything here needs to be regularly discussed because older messages get "archived" otherwise known as deleted equally regularly here.

    Hey...Maybe C+ should rename it the goldfish forum.

    There have been some great threads here on Trangias recipes, touring info, touring kit lists and all sorts, but all sadly lost when you try and look them up again later. I know because I have tried. Take a local copy of anything you may want to refer to later.

    ____________________________

    Say NO to crack.
    Pull your jeans up!!
    ____________________________
    I'm a man of simple needs. Expensive but still simple.
  • graemetherunner
    graemetherunner Posts: 239
    Or you can buy the tubus axle mountings (among others) here, ordered mine today & they have them in stock due to arrive tomorrow.
    http://www.actionoutdoors.co.uk/tubus.htm
  • plusgourmande
    plusgourmande Posts: 307
    Update : I managed to fit a rack on my bike. It took me a while and is a bit of a bodge but it's very secure.

    P-clips attach the bottom part to the seat-stay. On the top, i've sort of put a bolt through the rack seatstay holes, through the rear triangle. I think you just have to find a way to work your particular rack, since they are all a bit different. Make sure you tape up the contact points to avoid paint scratch!

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