Cargo Rack on MTB - Considerations?

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a mountain
bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I don't
use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on
my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden]

You need to condider a new LBS.

Lorenzo L. Love said:

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a
mountain bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that
I don't use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there
any other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack
on my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden]

You need to condider a new LBS.

Why, because he told me what is usual for this country?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

Michael J. Klein said:

Lorenzo L. Love said:

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a
mountain bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that
I don't use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there
any other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack
on my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden]

You need to condider a new LBS.

Why, because he told me what is usual for this country?

No, because it sounds like he's not willing to listen to
his customer and help find a solution for what is needed
and/or wanted.

Lorenzo L. Love said:

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a
mountain bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that
I don't use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there
any other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack
on my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden]

You need to condider a new LBS.

Indeed. I remember the first time I walked into my local
asking for real full-coverage fenders. A guy looked at me
blankly as if to say "why would you want them?"

They are my local though; other shops are inconveniently far
away. The wrenches are better than the guys up front.

-Luigi

Luigi de Guzman said:

Lorenzo L. Love said:

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason
that I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the
roads here. Often they are un-improved and differing
levels which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a
mountain bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given
that I don't use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are
there any other considerations about mounting a rear
cargo rack on my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden]

You need to condider a new LBS.

Indeed. I remember the first time I walked into my local
asking for real full-coverage fenders. A guy looked at me
blankly as if to say "why would you want them?"

Normally, I don't resent such statements when asked by
professional people who know more than I do about a
particular subject. However, after I introduce myself and
appraise them of my expertise in a particular area (if
appliciable), I then get miffed if they insist upon not
selling me what I want.

Quoted message said:

They are my local though; other shops are inconveniently
far away. The wrenches are better than the guys up front.

Probably not a good idea to [censored] them off, me thinks.

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004 20:33:34 -0700, Peter <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Michael J. Klein said:

Lorenzo L. Love said:

Michael J. Klein wrote:

>I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
>Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
>limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason
>that I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the
>roads here. Often they are un-improved and differing
>levels which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a
>mountain bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given
>that I don't use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are
>there any other considerations about mounting a rear
>cargo rack on my MTB, other than it looking retarded?
>
>Michael J. Klein [email hidden]

You need to condider a new LBS.

Why, because he told me what is usual for this country?

No, because it sounds like he's not willing to listen to
his customer and help find a solution for what is needed
and/or wanted.

This is the same guy who replaced my BB after 4 days riding
my new bike, in the same afternoon when I brought it in
unannounced. I don't have a problem with him.

Now, I still am no closer to understanding what the
considerations are with mounting a rack on the rear of a
MTB. I suspect its none really.

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

Michael J. Klein:

Quoted message said:

Now, I still am no closer to understanding what the
considerations are with mounting a rack on the rear of a
MTB. I suspect its none really.

You suspect correctly.

Jose Rizal _@_._ said:

Michael J. Klein:

Quoted message said:

Now, I still am no closer to understanding what the
considerations are with mounting a rack on the rear of a
MTB. I suspect its none really.

You suspect correctly.

Time to go looking around. There are several places in my
neighborhood which have them 🙂 Thanks Jose.

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a mountain
bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I don't
use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on
my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

I fitted a rear rack to my Giant MTB the other week. It
rattles a bit over bumps, but I most likely need to tighten
up a couple of nuts and perhaps stick some blutac or tape
on some of the fixings that resonate a bit. The only
problem I have with it is that you can't fit the rear rack
on and a crud catcher. So you get a muddy / wet back. The
rack could perhaps foul the wheel if you fitted it very
close and had massive tyres on, and collected lots of mud.
But you'd have to fit it really stupidly to get it to foul
before the frame.

You could always fit a seatpost rack, but they won't hold as
much weight.

Michael J. Klein said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a mountain
bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I don't
use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on
my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

You wouldn't want a rack if:

- Your bike is full suspension(I don't know if a Yukon is)
- You bike singletrack in dense bush and trees, the rack
will almost certainly get caught. (And, a traditional screw-
down rack may not fit if you have disc brakes.)

I had a screw-down rack on my wife's first MTB, which was
used only on fire roads and rail trail. Not a problem.

For my MTB, I have a seatpost rack with quick release: goes
on when I do fire roads and touring off-road; comes off when
I am riding technical trails.

Iguana said:

You wouldn't want a rack if:

- You bike singletrack in dense bush and trees, the rack
will almost certainly get caught.

Huh? Anything it could catch on will already have caught on
the rider, who is wider than anything else on the bike.

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

Bought one from Nashbar. It was pretty cheap, holds up to 40
lbs and certainly doesn't rattle. I see these racks all over
town on mtb's, not sure what the big deal is? Sure they add
weight, but so what if you need some utility. It was a great
investment.

Curt

"Michael J. Klein" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a mountain
bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I don't
use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on
my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

Michael J. Klein said:

Jose Rizal _@_._ said:

Michael J. Klein:

Quoted message said:

Now, I still am no closer to understanding what the
considerations are with mounting a rack on the rear of a
MTB. I suspect its none really.

You suspect correctly.

Time to go looking around. There are several places in my
neighborhood which have them 🙂 Thanks Jose.

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

There are a lot of considerations, do you have eyelets
brazed to your rear stays? There are other mounting methods
for rear racks such as seat post mounting but the most
common and ruggedest mounting method uses rear stay eyelets.
I would definately buy a rack made of tig welded aluminum
tubing rather than a wire rack. The tubing is stronger and
lighter and they don't rattle. I bought an inexpensive Delta
universal rack that will fit a 24 inch MTB if the rear stays
have eyelets. The only extra mounting work I had with the
universal rack was that I had to drill out the support
bracket holes to the size of my seat post pinch bolt.

sjscycles.comvIndex.htmOpen ↗ Go to SJS
Cycles website and look under Carriers and Racks, Rack
fitting kits.

You will get examples of the different parts used to attach
rear racks to your mountain bike or any bike. I am assuming
you don't have eyelets at the rear dropouts and braze ons at
the top of the seatstays. If you have eyelets at the rear
dropouts and braze ons at the top of the seat stays, they
you can just bolt on any rack you want. My Raleigh M600 from
1999 has the required eyelets and braze ons for a rear rack.
I have a Blackburn Expedition rack on my mountain bike.

So your bike shop guy was lying when he said nobody puts a
rear rack on a mountain bike. Please ask him to explain how
a rear rack will limit the bike's use for off roading.

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a mountain
bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I don't
use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on
my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden] Dasi Jen, Taoyuan
Hsien, Taiwan, ROC Please replace mousepotato with
asiancastings
---------------------------------------------

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 11:04:16 +0800, Michael J. Klein
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading.

He lied. I have a rack on my MTB and so do lots of other
people I know. The Yukon is a hartail, right? The rack will
not be in the way. Only if you wanted to hang right over the
rear wheel in extreme descents would it be an issue - and in
that case you'd probably be on the wrong bike anyway ;-)

Quoted message said:

The reason that I have an MTB for street use is the nature
of the roads here. Often they are un-improved and differing
levels which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a
mountain bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I
don't use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on my
MTB, other than it looking retarded?

None, probably. I had to use P-clips on my MTB because the
rack I had spare didn't have a brake bridge mounting bar,
you can get three-point mounting racks which bolt to the
brake bridge if you don't have braze-ons. You might have
trouble if you don't have eyelets, but I've never seen a
bike which didn't have at least one set of eyelets.
Sometimes you get single eyelets and have to share the
bolt with the mudguards [fenders] and sometimes you get
double eyelets.

As to looking dorky, well, I'm not qualified to comment.
We have seven active bikes in the family (4 MTBs, one
tourer, a recumbent and a triplet) and every one is fitted
with a rack.

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 13:03:46 +0100, "Doki" <[email hidden]>

wrote in message : said:

The only problem I have with it is that you can't fit
the rear rack on and a crud catcher. So you get a muddy
/ wet back.

Unless you fit full mudguards or use a rack with a solid
platform :-)

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

Just zis Guy said:

Unless you fit full mudguards or use a rack with a solid
platform :-)

Incidentally I've had good luck reviving a 20-year-old ESGE
(? German) mudguard by sawing off the trailing damaged
portion, and mounting the rest OVER the brake to get wheel
clearance.

You have to reduce the length to clear the wheel in any
case, unless you can mount it exactly at right angles
relative to its displacement.

Over it is the rear rack and milk crate, so upwards-flying
debris is caught in any case, but this eliminates back-of-
leg spray.

Added plus : it no longer traps snow, so it no longer drops
snow on the chain, and so the freewheel no longer clogs with
the produced ice (no-clog owing to the increased wheel
clearance).
--
Ron Hardin [email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Sat, 26 Jun 2004 13:03:46 +0100, <[email hidden]>,

Doki said:

The only problem I have with it is that you can't fit
the rear rack on and a crud catcher. So you get a muddy
/ wet back.

The most common solution seen around here is the Rear
Deflector Shield

ratail.comrear.htmlOpen ↗
--
zk

"Michael J. Klein" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I asked my LBS about putting a rear cargo rack on my new
Yukon MTB. He said that nobody does that, and it would
limit my use of the bike for off-roading. The reason that
I have an MTB for street use is the nature of the roads
here. Often they are un-improved and differing levels
which I feel could be more easily negotiated by a mountain
bike rather than a road/comfort bike. Given that I don't
use it for actual hardcore off-roading, are there any
other considerations about mounting a rear cargo rack on
my MTB, other than it looking retarded?

Nah, most MTB's have the fittings for racks. Fenders are
probably not a good idea if you go off-road (they tend to
pick up sticks and crumple and jam), but racks are fine. If
you're going to stick to the streets, I'd get fenders, rack
and folding pannier. MTB's make great bad-road bikes -- try
installing your own accessories, then you won't have to
suffer random opinions...