Aluminium Bike Problem

I used to use a cheap rack on my aluminum road bike (80's Vitus; 20mm tires). I think a rack is a better choice than a backpack.

I wouldn't buy the cheapest rack but look at the Topeak Explorer it's designed to handle up to 55 pounds but don't ever trust those statements, it may hold 55 pounds with no trouble as long as you're on smooth roads, but if you hit a bump and the load goes up then down it puts a lot more load stress than 55 pounds, so if all you carry is 25 pounds than this rack is good for you. Cheap racks will break, usually at the welds, and a broken rack will ruin your tour, most cheap racks won't handle more than 10 to 15 pounds of actual load. If you plan on doing heavier touring in the future than you need to look a the Tubus Cosmos, yes it cost more but it won't break.

thanks, i just replaced my bike for a smaller frame because at 57 i shrank. I got a rack and soon i will get bags/paniers. From a 60 i am down to a 55 wich should offer a more comfortable position. With no camping i expect not to exceed 18-20 pounds.

BHappy said:

thanks, i just replaced my bike for a smaller frame because at 57 i shrank. I got a rack and soon i will get bags/paniers. From a 60 i am down to a 55 wich should offer a more comfortable position. With no camping i expect not to exceed 18-20 pounds.

That's cool.

I think a rack is a good idea if you are carrying very many pounds. Your center of gravity is already fairly high with a road bike, so adding more weight to your back ah make you too heavy, which could cause excess muscle strain to keep you balanced or even be a hazard for you by altering your balance too much. If you pack your weight low and behind you, you will be more grounded rather than less.

DancingLady said:

I think a rack is a good idea if you are carrying very many pounds. Your center of gravity is already fairly high with a road bike, so adding more weight to your back ah make you too heavy, which could cause excess muscle strain to keep you balanced or even be a hazard for you by altering your balance too much. If you pack your weight low and behind you, you will be more grounded rather than less.

In braking my back Wheel was lifting too often so for safety i had no choice. :huh:

You need a rack. I wouldn't carry all that on my back. It changes your center of gravity and is restrictive.

Plus a rack will keep the weight more on the rear of the bike so you don't lift as easy vs using a backpack. You can also learn to shift your weight by sliding your butt off the rear of the saddle when braking thus again putting more weight on the rear, with daily practice this will become second nature even in an emergency.