Racks and P-clips

jackmcd

Hi

On the market for a sexy looking road / cross bike. My choice is limited by my desire to have rack mounts in case I decide to have the odd youth hostelling trip with my son.

Have been told that its always possible to use p-clips and share the wheel bolts if required. Would this work for the type of light occasional use I am thinking of?

If so it would open up the market to me and could get any cross bike - or even a road bike with enough clearance for decent winter tyres which would have better brakes...

ride_whenever

Depends how much you want to carry, seatpost mounted racks are far easier and carry a fair bit.

A seatclamp with mounting points is usually better at the top and then either wheel mounted or p-clips for the bottom. However both of these will limit your capacity a little. It also isn't hugely advisable with really superskinny tubed frames as you're more likely to cause damage.

jackmcd

Thanks ride_whenever, prob what I expected to hear....

Good new though - hadnt even realised before but in the shed earlier and realised my Rockhopper has rack mounting points and would be ideal for that type of touring :oops:

Was half thinking of selling to put cash towards this purchase but... I am now free to spend my hard earned money on pure selfish fun hmmmm... 'cross, or simply road with room for winter tyres, choices choices delicious choices

Might just browse a decent sized bike shop and see what takes my fancy... after reading a few of the 'what should I get for a grand' threads.

Monty Dog

Many current cross bikes come with the necessary mounts and bosses for a rack rather than relying on P-clips - last months C+ had a group test of such bikes.

jackmcd

Yes it was a useful article - but in someways only emphasised that the bikes with rack points have a certain air of compromise (in the ones featured anyway).

The Focus Mares for example - only £850 but great fun and looks good compared to the slightly commuter styling of the others.