Carrier/ Rack Advice for an Allez Elite

pmannion9
pmannion9 Posts: 280
edited April 2010 in Tour & expedition
Planning on doing a 6 day cycle trip around Norfolk/Suffolk.
Want to do it on my Specialized Allez Elite 2008 road bike.
As far as I am aware it wont take a fixed rack/carrier.

So looking at a seatpost mounted rack I guess ?
Any advice on whats best to buy, safest and one that wont damage my seatpost.
Will be travelling as light as possible...and don't intend on using it that often.

Many thanks for any help...

Comments

  • GyatsoLa
    GyatsoLa Posts: 667
    Most of the lighter racks in the Tubus range (all are very good) can be made fit almost any road bike. Get the QR adaptor which comes extra - this fits onto the quick release skewer.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Here is a post I did in another thread about racking an Allez..


    Fitting a rack is tricky on the Allez as the brakes get in the way, as fitted below:

    Topeak Super Tourist DX Rear Rack, has a lower mounting point for a lower center of gravity and heel clearance. (you could get away with something from Tubus, equally strong and light)
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topea ... 360022940/

    M:Part Single Bolt Seat Post Clamp With Rack Mount, this solves the fitting issue.
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/MPart ... 300005198/

    Ortlieb Back Roller Plus Panniers
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ortli ... 360007501/

    IMG_0546copySmall.jpg


    On my Allez there are lower mounting points, you may not have these, so something like this QR adapter should do the trick..

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tubus ... 360025907/

    If your credit card touring, consider a large saddle bag.
  • pmannion9
    pmannion9 Posts: 280
    Hi Ipete,

    Thanks for all that excellent information.
    Looks perfect...
  • Manchester Black Cat
    Manchester Black Cat Posts: 18
    I am also doing some touring in the summer and was hoping to use an Allez Elite. Couldn't decide wether to go for the saddlebag option or racks and paniers. I'll be credit card touring...
  • pmannion9
    pmannion9 Posts: 280
    Hi Manchester Black Cat,

    Have you started looking at seatpost mounted rack only ?
    I was wondering would they damage the seat post and if there were stable ?
  • Manchester Black Cat
    Manchester Black Cat Posts: 18
    I've not tested it out but one of my ideas was to fit this :

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Carra ... 360042588/

    and then get a bag like this :

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Carra ... 360042584/

    Another option i'm looking at for seatpost mouted is this:

    http://www.epicdesignsalaska.com/

    This is sort of what i'd ideally like to emulate:

    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/411 ... 45d870.jpg

    As I'm staying in B&Bs i think Paniers are a bit of an overkill for me. I did toy with the idea of just touring with a rucksack on but quickly gave up that plan.

    But unfortunately I'm limited by a budget on how much to spend on making the elite "tour-able" and so panniers might be my cheapest option.
  • pmannion9
    pmannion9 Posts: 280
    I think i will be staying in B&B's too and pubs...
    My buddy has a proper drop bar touring bike with panniers and may have rooms for osme stuff..Still plan on travelling extremley light...

    The top peak rack that iPete linked to above seems good.
    Im pretty certain though i need the new QR adapter too...

    Trying to find cheapest and most sensible option as i doubt i will do many tours on this bike..

    Need to decide soon though !!!
  • Manchester Black Cat
    Manchester Black Cat Posts: 18
    pmannion9 wrote:
    Trying to find cheapest and most sensible option as i doubt i will do many tours on this bike..

    Need to decide soon though !!!

    I'm the same, Will do 1 tour a year tops on this so need to go for cheapest option, but one that lasts me at least 1 tour!

    I've got until start of August to sort mine out
  • trickeyja
    trickeyja Posts: 202
    I went for the simple Carradice saddle bag + SQR mount. Came to about £80. Very well-designed bag and durable. It is suitable for hostel/B&B touring if you pack light although if camping, panniers would be better. You can strap stuff to the top of the bag though. I did a five-night hostelling tour and had enough room although it was a bit of a squeeze to fit in enough clothing. I have since used the saddlebag for countless day trips and longer rides. The SQR (standard quick release) has been fine on the carbon seatpost so far; quick release system is a must because otherwise the buckle straps take forever to fasten/unfasten. Just another option to consider.

    http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?pa ... duct_id=35
    http://www.carradice.co.uk/products/other/sqrclamp
  • trickeyja
    trickeyja Posts: 202
    This is from last year's tour: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/358 ... 0c0d_b.jpg
  • pmannion9
    pmannion9 Posts: 280
    Trickeyja,

    that looks great...
    Think i will go for the same...

    Out of interest - what kind of mudguard have you on the rear wheel ?

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