Bike rack question

[jpkulusic]

Hello everyone,
I'm a college student and I work full time doing accounting work, so I spend a lot of time reading books and doing paperwork. I've been thinking for a while that I need to start getting out and doing things outside more. I remembered I used to ride a bike as a kid growing up for hours upon hours everyday seven days a week, and started thinking to myself that getting a bike would be the answer.

I just recently purchased a hybrid bike (Felt f75X), and have been getting in progressively longer rides. I'm to the point where I'm able to get in 80+ mile trips, but they are trips that are forty miles in one direction and fourty back. I'm ready to start going on longer over night trips, but up till now I haven't been carrying much aside from a small pouch on the back of my bike with a spare tire and a water bottle.

I'm wondering if anyone could help me out with finding a bike rack off amazon and providing me with some insight as to some necessary light weight stuff that I may need. I'm not sure if there are different bike racks that fit on the back of a bike for different types of bikes (or sizes of bikes)? So I was hoping for some advice as to how to pick the one that will be right for me and will fit my bike (Felt f75X). I don't know too much about this type of thing since I'm just getting back into biking, but I'm assuming that racks also have different sizes, weights, and centers of gravity, etc.?

As far as what I will be putting on it, I was thinking about maybe a getting a hammock tent, my bag with camera gear (size of a backpack), small pouch with some extra inner tubes and patches, and maybe something else that I haven't anticipated. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[wisdom]

On my ridgeback hybrid I have a tortech rear rack (25kg) max load. I use 2 altura waterproof panniers that are released with the press of a button so can be carried as a bag. I have an altura rack bag on the top that I carry all bike stuff in like tubes, multitool, co2, rain cape, phone etc. It serves me very well and all the weight is low down.
couple of photos to follow.the gear is all over 4 years old and used a lot but its all still in good nick.

 

[wisdom]

 

[Paulus]

As Wisdom says, get a rear pannier rack and or a seat/ saddle bag Plenty to choose from.

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/accessories/bike-racks

 

[raleighnut]

I use a similar but slightly more expensive version which is the Topeak rack with their topbag system. The advantage being their slide and click retaining system for the bag, Bags are available in several sizes some with panniers some without but the advantage is that they slide off in a second yet are very secure. The super tourist rack I've got carries 2 very large Carradice Panniers and a Topeak top bag the idea being that anything valuable goes in the top bag (very similar in looks to the strapped on top bag in Wisdoms pic) which slides onto a fitting on the rack and can then easily be removed on "comfort breaks" or when shopping for food and drinks. Its also very useful round town if you get a bag with zip-away drop-down side panniers and they come with a clip on shoulder strap.
Topeak also make quick release Beam racks which are compatible with their bags but do not need to be permanently attached to the bike.

 

[wisdom]

Just for info. In raleighnuts post he mentions my top bag as being strapped on. In fact it is released by a button thus enabling just the panniers to be used and leaving the rack platform free. The release is on the bag and clips to a bracket on the seatpost.So with just 3 buttons pressed all can be removed in seconds.

 

[raleighnut]

Just for info. In raleighnuts post he mentions my top bag as being strapped on. In fact it is released by a button thus enabling just the panniers to be used and leaving the rack platform free. The release is on the bag and clips to a bracket on the seatpost.So with just 3 buttons pressed all can be removed in seconds.
View attachment 51975

Oooh that's a new one on me, very nice . Do the other 2 clips fasten the bag to the rack to prevent sideways movement. Kirsten a German friend of mine (and a mates ex-wife) had a look at my Topeak set up and said she's got a similar thing on her bike but I could'nt have a look cos the bikes in Hanover.
I have quite a bit of Altura clothing and really rate that, good company.

 

[wisdom]

No its just the one clip. You can use it without a rack as well. Solid as a rock no sideways or up and down movement at all.
Fantastic piece of kit.

 

[raleighnut]

Ah its a beam rack and bag combined I have to use 2 components to do that with my Topeak set-up but then I have a drop-down pannier option as well with that. Never seen one used with a permanent rack together though, very creative.
I just slide one of my bags onto a permanent rack on the 2 that have them fitted or clamp my beam rack on to any of my other 10 bikes and slide one of the bags on to that.

 

[Gravity Aided]

View attachment 51957 View attachment 51958

Is that a Planet Bike rack.? I have one and I've never had a bit of trouble with it.

 

[wisdom]

Mines a tortec rack. No problems with it either

 

[jpkulusic]

Hello everyone,
I'm a college student and I work full time doing accounting work, so I spend a lot of time reading books and doing paperwork. I've been thinking for a while that I need to start getting out and doing things outside more. I remembered I used to ride a bike as a kid growing up for hours upon hours everyday seven days a week, and started thinking to myself that getting a bike would be the answer.

I just recently purchased a hybrid bike (Felt f75X), and have been getting in progressively longer rides. I'm to the point where I'm able to get in 80+ mile trips, but they are trips that are forty miles in one direction and fourty back. I'm ready to start going on longer over night trips, but up till now I haven't been carrying much aside from a small pouch on the back of my bike with a spare tire and a water bottle.

I'm wondering if anyone could help me out with finding a bike rack off amazon and providing me with some insight as to some necessary light weight stuff that I may need. I'm not sure if there are different bike racks that fit on the back of a bike for different types of bikes (or sizes of bikes)? So I was hoping for some advice as to how to pick the one that will be right for me and will fit my bike (Felt f75X). I don't know too much about this type of thing since I'm just getting back into biking, but I'm assuming that racks also have different sizes, weights, and centers of gravity, etc.?

As far as what I will be putting on it, I was thinking about maybe a getting a hammock tent, my bag with camera gear (size of a backpack), small pouch with some extra inner tubes and patches, and maybe something else that I haven't anticipated. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Wow, thanks everyone. I didn’t realize I had any responses to this forum. I thought I would have received an email from the website. I wish I had noticed I received responses before making a purchase. I purchased a Topeak and bags, but I’m sure I’ll be happy with it regardless. I haven’t got them in yet, but I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

 

[raleighnut]

Well at least you got the best.

 

[Litchards]

The best pannier rack to get would be one that fixes to the top of the frame near the saddle and also down at the bottom near the derailleur. Generally as these are fixed in two positions they will hold more weight than other ones on the market and are solid to support your luggage.

I would check your bike first to see if you have two holes at the top and bottom with threads already there so you can secure one straight on. If there are other options such as one that will fit to your seat post or one that will have brackets for you to attach that will allow you to attach them to your bike. I would bear in mind that the weight generally drops on the last two options, check the weight from the supplier.

Once you have attached you pannier rack and you are packing your luggage on to the rack be sure to balance the weight otherwise it could be a massive strain one side.