Tortec racks: Ultralight vs. Expedition
Jimbo.
Posts: 124
Evening all,
I'm after a (rear) pannier rack to go with my road bike for commuting to/from work. Whilst a Tubus would be nice, they're also f. expensive, and the bike, etc. has already cost me enough this month! So, Tortec it is: but which? I've ruled out the Velocity as it's too narrow - or is at least said to be - for mudguards. Which leaves the Ultralight and the Expedition.
Does anyone have opinions, experiences, advice etc. re. the aforementioned racks? The Expedition's a little dearer and heavier, but positions the panniers lower/further back (enough to make a difference?) and had a top deck to it. It also seems to have a little bit more metal down the side: would it, or the bags attached to it, be any more stable/secure?
The Ultralight, however, is lighter (just under 1lb/400g), a bit cheaper, and only carrys 5Kg less. TBH I doubt I'd ever get near the 25Kg limit of the Ultralight!
Thanks all
EDIT: I'd be using Ortlieb panniers.
I'm after a (rear) pannier rack to go with my road bike for commuting to/from work. Whilst a Tubus would be nice, they're also f. expensive, and the bike, etc. has already cost me enough this month! So, Tortec it is: but which? I've ruled out the Velocity as it's too narrow - or is at least said to be - for mudguards. Which leaves the Ultralight and the Expedition.
Does anyone have opinions, experiences, advice etc. re. the aforementioned racks? The Expedition's a little dearer and heavier, but positions the panniers lower/further back (enough to make a difference?) and had a top deck to it. It also seems to have a little bit more metal down the side: would it, or the bags attached to it, be any more stable/secure?
The Ultralight, however, is lighter (just under 1lb/400g), a bit cheaper, and only carrys 5Kg less. TBH I doubt I'd ever get near the 25Kg limit of the Ultralight!
Thanks all
EDIT: I'd be using Ortlieb panniers.
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Comments
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I've got the Tortec Expedition in stainless steel (I did want the alloy version, but LBS let me have them for same price as the alloy one). Had it about five years and not a single problem. I reckon it'll last a lifetime. Being stainless steel, it's gone "off colour" now, as I leave my bike outside.
I agree the lower pannier mounts are useful, as are the rear light mounts. I use Arran panniers, and usefully the bottom clip slides nicely into the back loop of the rack making it very stable.
The mounting kit is excellent, and easy to adjust. When I had the rack on my road bike, they're was a fair amount of clearance between the top plate of the rack and tyre, more than enough to fit guards. Maybe too much clearance in fact. Being set back, I've never had a problem clipping the panniers with my feet.0 -
Thanks One reason why I couldn't find that much re. the Ultralight, was that it is in fact Ultralite (note the spelling). Oops!
Settled for the Expedition in an "Oh sod it, just buy it" moment. 400g is the weight of a tin of beans. No biggie.0
