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Sign up for my RoadNews Newsletter *Help Support this Web Site and Continue My Travels. Equipment Pages Index
Introduction
Camping
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Breaking a front or rear touring bicycle rack is a common problem for cyclists on long bike tours. Rear bike racks are often overloaded with heavy panniers and camping gear. Inferior cycle racks can crack, separate at the welds, or snap mid tube. Front touring bicycle racks have the same problems plus fork clamps can loosen and fall off. A cheap bolt can strip the threads in the frame on front braze-on mounts. This is why repair kits always include common automotive hose clamps,as they're the universal field repair for broken racks. Obviously any touring equipment trouble or failure detracts from an enjoyable trip. Traveling with cheap gear is always a recipe for disaster. Since the start of my trip in 2002 I have never broken or had a rack fail but I have always been very picky about my bicycle touring luggage racks. See my picks Besides special Titanium racks, there are two basic kinds of touring bike racks and carriers. Chromoly, steel and, the more common, aluminum. Before my current trip, I cycled around North America solo for a couple years. I used common aluminum racks, found in American bike shops, which worked well for the first few months but eventually broke on a dirt road in Colorado. I patched it back together using hose clamps and splints until I could find a bike shop in Telluride, CO and buy a new one. Nothing is cheap in a mountain resort ski town. In order to afford it I had to take a job washing dishes, which essentially ended my trip and I tried the ski bum life for awhile before returning to cycle touring. Years later, I was on the hunt to buy cro-moly steel racks, like I had seen several European cyclists using. I thought the racks would be even harder to replace in developing countries in South America so I wanted stronger equipment for the long trip. Chromoly steel touring cycling racks are a bit heavier but a lot stronger compared to aluminum ones. Stronger is a huge advantage when hauling heavy loads, touring off-road, long multi-year bicycle tours, or if you just want to substantially reduce potential problems while riding and touring. Buying Good Bicycle Touring Racks in the USA, Europe, and Canada
Lower Prices on Tubus Racks at CycloCamping
The problem with high quality bike racks is they are a little hard to locate in the USA. For years Europeans have been bicycle touring with Tubus touring racks but only hardcore American bike travelers are familiar with this brand and know the specialty niche shops that cater to bicycle touring equipment and gear where they are found. Below are the racks I recommend and use on a daily basis. Tubus CARRY and AIRY Titanium Bicycle Touring Racks. The Ultra Light, Super Strong for Hard Core - Long Distance Cycle TouristTubus CARRY Titanium Rear RackThe CARRY is probably the next rack I will try. It has the same high / low mounting rails as my stainless steel bike racks (below) but at much less weight. I will be interested to see how Titanium bicycle touring racks perform but if it is made by Tubus I bet it can carry heavy panniers for year after year. This will be on everyone's "must have" list for the ultimate best touring bicycle. Buy
Tubus CARRY Titanium Rear Rack
The CARRY has an additional lower rail to mount panniers, which makes it a extreme lightweight and functional carrier for long distance travel. The Carry comes with two roundstays for seatstay mounting. Fits 26" or 28" wheels. Buy
Tubus CARRY Titanium Rear Rack
Tubus AIRY Titanium Rear RackIf light and fast bicycle touring is what you are looking for then the AIRY front or rear rack is your answer. Minimalist design, ultra light weight, and able to circle the world. Buy
Tubus AIRY Titanium Rear Rack
Buy
Tubus AIRY Titanium Rear Rack
Tubus Stainless Steel Racks: The best on the market and what I trust in even the roughest touring conditions.
Tubus Nova stainless steel front rack
Tubus Bike Racks Sold at CycloCamping
Tubus Bike Racks Sold at CycloCamping
Bicycle Touring Panniers and Waterproof Bike Tour Bags and Ortlieb Waterproof Panniers
Equipment Pages Index
Introduction
START HERE for Touring Bikes and Commuting Bicycles
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Bicycle Touring
Touring Bicycles
Tents
Sponsors (how?)
I have used several brands of bicycle panniers and
highly recommend Ortlieb.
See Why I switched to Ortlieb waterproof Panniers?
Tents and
ground cloths
Cycle Touring Racks: Why chromoly steel is best.
Take a look at the strongest hubs built specifically for touring
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(from
catalog) The world's lightest long distance travel carrier. The material
titanium is extremely corrosion resistant and very strong, which makes the CARRY carrier nearly indestructible.
(from
vender) With the AIRY, Tubus introduces the first carrier made of titanium. With
a maximum load of 30 kilos and a Tara weight of 230 grams, the AIRY breaks every
record. The material titanium is extremely corrosion resistant and strong, which
makes the AIRY carrier nearly indestructible. Due to its limited length, the
AIRY works best with front panniers. The Airy is not compatible with the
Ortlieb-Backroller-pannier.
My
years of fully loaded bicycle touring experience have taught me several things about racks and the Tubus Cosmo rear rack is what
I use and recommend to other touring cyclist. Stainless steel is
incredibly strong, will not rust, unlikely to ever break, or require regular
applications of touch up paint but the Cosmo's unique lower pannier mounting
option is the part I like best. Depending on the configuration of your
rear load the pannier bags can be mounted the old fashioned way high on the
rack platform tube or lower on a second horizontal rail. I like the
lower position because it lowers the center of gravity for better balance
and handling but the lower position also allows a flat surface for hassle
free mounting of my tent, sleeping bag, and pad. The Cosmo also
solves the problem of heels hitting the rear pannier because of big feet or
short wheelbase (chain stay) and will work with just about any pannier set
made.
