mark d

My daughter will be doing the c&o with me in may. I need to get her a rack and panniers. My question is do the 26 inch wheel bikes require a smaller rack ?
if so any economical suggestions ? Bike is a schwinn frontier. I know it is not the greatest but my daughter is accustomed to bad parenting

Note, I did use search but saw nothing on the size question
Maybe I worded it poorly ?
As always thks

Trevtassie

Ideally a 26/28" rack will be better, especially one with lowrider bag rails, You want the top of the rack to be close to the top of the wheel to keep the centre of gravity low. Tubus do a few that tick the boxes, but aren't the cheapest.

Tourist in MSN

Racks for a 700c bike will fit on 26 inch bikes without a problem.

With parts shortages, you might have to buy what is available, not what is best. My comments are assuming that you can find whatever you want in stock somewhere, but that might not be the case.

I did a quick google search on Schwinn Frontier and found a model that has been in production for over two decades, a few had disc brakes. So, my comments are for a generic bike with rim brakes and has mounting points on the seatstays and at the rear dropouts.

For light or medium weight touring I think the Racktime Addit rack is a good rack. Rated for 25 kg which is a bit over 50 pounds. I have used one of these on my titanium bike for touring. The lower rails for pannier mounting is a plus. There is a possibility that a hack saw may be needed to trim the brackets that mount on the front of the rack to the seatstays if it is a smaller sized frame.

Listed as out of stock.
https://www.modernbike.com/racktime-addit-rack

Without a photo is it impossible to say if the rack would fit well or not.
https://www.racktime.com/en/racktime...-product/addit
https://www.racktime.com/fileadmin/u...dit_2.0_01.pdf
https://www.racktime.com/fileadmin/u...dit_MA_4.0.pdf

But there are lots of other good racks out there too. I am recommending the Racktime because I have used one on two different bikes. I am hesitant to recommend something I have not used.

fishboat

Another option..Axiom Journey. The vertical rails that attach to the bike slide up and down. 50# capacity. My GF has it on her touring bike..it works fine. Bikesmiths(link below) usually has pretty good pricing. They also have had good pricing on Axiom panniers..but they look to be out of them for now (might be worth a call to ask).

https://www.thebikesmiths.com/collec...s/axiom-171272

Good used panniers are a bit harder to find. Check ebay for Axiom panniers...they also should be fine for your purposes. Looks like a set of 35L or 55L can be had for about $90. 20-something liter bags go for less. (for a less pricey pannier) Axioms have a good lock on top to keep the bags on the rail. There's an auction for the next day or so on a set of (used-like new) 55L Axioms.

If you want to insure water-proof contents, 13 gallon trash compactor bags (white, easier to see in) have a good mil thickness and will work to hold your stuff dry inside the pannier.

If you find something you like..probably better to grab it as the supply chains are still struggling...might not be available when you want it later.

mark d

Thks guys. I checked the racktime on amazon. $42 for the racktime folding 26 - 28 inch 3 in stock. Checking the axiom and tubus now.

djb

the racktime folding will still be high on a smaller frame
look up my thread on suggestions for a lower frame on my wife's xs frame, we had a folding but it was high
the racktime two level one puts panniers much lower

also, if a small frame, the trek touring deluxe SMALL or whatever it's named, repeat the SMALL , is an excellent option because the horizontal mounting rods are both longer than other racks AND have a distinct bend to them, which helps in having the rack be level, not slanted forward, on smaller frames.
bontranger , not trek , is official name btw

Germany_chris

I have a Tubus Vega on my 26” commuter, irs nice enough and easy to mount.

djb

Mark, should have asked directly, what size is your daughters bike?

ps, I suggested this bontranger rack to a friend recently, and remembered she sent me a screenshot to be sure of it before getting it, so I had the image still.

skidder

Also look a Blackburn Designs, rack from $45 to +$100 and some designed for disc brake wheels. I've got one of their rear racks on a 26" wheeled utility bicycle and its been bombproof. I've never used it for a tour, but for carrying stuff to/from work and shopping.

Surly Bikes also makes rear racks for 26" wheeled bicycles. Well built, but they're +$100.

mark d

Thks for all the replies guys. I do not know the size as it was a curb find last year. I wish I had a photo. It was/is in good shape. I replaced the tires and chain. I have new brakes ( that were recommended to me in the mechanic forum) waiting for me to install when I get back. I will check all suggestions. Again thks.

mark d

Thks for all the replies guys. I do not know the size as it was a curb find last year. I wish I had a photo. It was/is in good shape. I replaced the tires and chain. I have new brakes ( that were recommended to me in the mechanic forum) waiting for me to install when I get back. I will check all suggestions. Again thks.

Tourist in MSN

There are two different Racktime folding racks. If this is the one you looked at (Adjustable), that can be raised and lowered slightly.
https://www.amazon.com/Racktime-FOLD.../dp/B0021QL1GI

There are plates at the bottom that are bolted on, there are several holes to adjust height.
https://www.racktime.com/en/racktime...dit-adjustable

Easy to see the plates in this drawing.
https://www.racktime.com/fileadmin/u...dit_MA_2.0.pdf

$42 for that rack is a good price and it should work for you.

There is a small chance you would need longer rods for a small frame bike.
https://www.amazon.com/Tubus-Roundst.../dp/B00FGSQ7US

Those stays are listed as both Racktime and Tubus. It is the same company. Tubus racks are steel, Racktime racks are aluminum, but both use the same aluminum stays.

fishboat

Was just looking at some of the rack options folks have suggested here..the pic by djb reminded me of an minor annoyance with my GF's pannier setup last year. She carries two panniers on the back and a trunk bag. With the level rack/rails like the Axiom Journey it's harder to mount the trunk bag. DJB's pic (and my rear rack on my bike, and Tourist's Racktime suggestion ) all have the pannier carrying rail mount low and outside the top of the rack. That's handy. I mounted the Journey rack on my GF's bike as I had it laying around. Time for an upgrade I think as we're locking in some tours some this year.

In looking at the racks suggested here, I also ran across the Ibera Pakrak..similar design with lower outside rails.
https://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bike-Ra...g-goods&sr=1-6

mark d

Bought a new trek rack off facebook marketplace yesterday for $5. My mother picked it up for me. I had to explain to her, once again, that motherhood is a lifetime commitment .

Thanks for the help guys

Doug64

Bontrager racks also come in a "small" size that fits the smaller frames. My daughter has one on her 42 cm frame which also has 26" wheels.

mark d

Yes I think it is small as the woman was also selling her bike, a trek 820 with 26 inch wheels and she was short. I am hoping this is the rack that djb recommended

Doug64

I think it is the same rack.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...-racks/c/E317/

mark d

Ok so it turns out it is a ....planet bike versa rack, not a trek...yeah I can see how someone would confuse the 2. So....any good ? It's new and it cost $5 so Im gonna make it work

Doug64

Sure it will fit, but look at how it fits a small frame 650 or 700 small frame bike. The rack is 4" above the wheel.

https://www.planetbike.com/versa-disc-bike-rack/ Watch the video.

mark d

Damn, that is high. *****

Doug64

Yah, but for $5 you can't go too wrong.

mark d

well, like I said my daughter is accustomed to poor parenting. Most people claim to believe in Darwinism, I actually practice it

Doug64

Fixing up a bike for your daughter sounds like pretty good parenting to me. One of the things I remember and am appreciative of as a kid was my dad fixing up and older bike and presenting me with my first bike. I know my daughters were appreciative of their bikes.