Trek 1.7 / Topeak lightweight rack

simon132

Hi

I have a trek 1.7 I got last year. I am interested in fitting a rack to the back for some very lightweight touring.

Initially I was thinking of getting a Topeak RX beamrack (i.e. without the side panels - http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/RXBeamRackCarbon) but then I noticed that the bike does have a couple of eyelets at the base of the rear fork. This suggested to me that the RX topeak rack with sideframe http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/RXBeamRack_w_side_frameE-Type might be better, but I couldn't find any detailed information regarding the fitting of the rack to this particular bike.

Just wanted to ask if anyone had any experience of fitting this gear to trek bikes and any recommendations they had as to what rack was best.

Thanks

Simon

alfablue

I wouldn't recommend a beam rack for various reasons. Go for a Tortec Velocity or Tortec Ultralight rack.

simon132

Thanks for the reply, I will check those out.

They seem to have a bit heavier capacity at 25kg than the topeak which is for max 7.5kg (which was closer to the weight I am looking to carry).

I take it stress on the seat post is the main reason why you don't like the topeak beam rack?

Thanks again for the reply.


Simon

alfablue

The main reason against is that they have the tendency to rotate around the post when loaded, also the centre of gravity is higher so less good for handling. Stress on the seatpost isn't really a big deal if its an aluminium one.

They will be heavier than either of the Tortec ones (400g for the Tortec ultralight, less for the Velocity). The limited load capacity is because of the inefficiency of the design, the 25kg of the Tortecs is not because they are overbuilt (this is a light load for a conventional rack), they are merely more efficient.

The Tortecs are cheaper, lighter, much better.

amaferanga

I'm afraid I have to disagree with alfablue here. I use a beam rack and rack top bag for commuting to work and I used it for LEJOG and not once has it rotated about the post. Handling wise I barely notice it and I spend a lot of time honking up hills when I'm commuting (1 gear). The CoG is no higher than if I were to use a conventional rack with a rack top bag.

That said, if you do have braze-ons for attaching a rack then you may as well use them. Are there braze-ons for attaching a rack up by the rear brake calliper as well?