Kmart branded cast aluminum rack
#1
Broom Wagon Fodder
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,384
Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times
in
30 Posts
Kmart branded cast aluminum rack
Arguably neither classic nor vintage this beauty came on a '76 Nishiki International I picked up quite a while ago. I thought it was hilarious so on the shelf it went. Due to the pandemic the August 1st Tour de Tonka, a very well-supported bike ride around the communities on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, was canceled. In its place will be a "virtual" tour in which we'll ride a similar distance as what we signed up for (like 70 miles) but with no rest stops. We're up for it but we'll need to carry more stuff with us. So I dragged the bad-boy up and looked at mounting it to my regular ride. First off, it was too narrow. The axle width on my bike is much wider than the Murray single speed this was probably meant to go on. I ground off the rivets and added some spacers so the supports would be in the same plane as the fender mounts. Even so, the supports were a little on the short side so it was canted back pretty bad. I picked up a 3-foot section of 1/4 inch aluminum tubing, cut it to length, pinched the ends flat and drilled them. Now the rack sits level and I can mount a bag to it. The tubes are a little lighter weight than the originals, which I believe are solid so hopefully they were a little over-engineered. Frankly, the whole thing is lighter than most of the modern ones I've seen. If it works out I might need to keep it installed.
#2
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
I have one just like it on my mountain bike. The salty air here is causing the aluminum to corrode, but it still works and yes, I had to engineer it to get it on the bike, (full suspension) but it also holds the panniers and a tail light. Cool!
Likes For unworthy1:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Upper Left, USA
Posts: 1,953
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 634 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
298 Posts
Neat! I think this would absolutely be considered classic (rat track rack) and vintage (this has got to be at least 25 years old.) Are there even any K-marts left?
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,655
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
That looks like a rebranded Pletscher rack.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zombdog/5218776998
A friend of mine rode across Canada back in the early 1970s using a Pletscher rear rack to hold his gear. He enjoyed the ride and wrote a book about it = "JOURNEY ACROSS A CONTINENT" by David Gidmark.
Cheers
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zombdog/5218776998
A friend of mine rode across Canada back in the early 1970s using a Pletscher rear rack to hold his gear. He enjoyed the ride and wrote a book about it = "JOURNEY ACROSS A CONTINENT" by David Gidmark.
Cheers
#6
Senior Member
Strangely, apparently there are still a few left. There was an old K-mart here in LA until November of last year, when if finally closed. It was like a time warp to the 70s. I never thought to look at the 'bicycle' section, but it wouldn't have surprised me if they were still selling these 70s era Pletscher rack knock-offs well into the 21st century.
#7
Broom Wagon Fodder
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,384
Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times
in
30 Posts
That looks like a rebranded Pletscher rack.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zombdog/5218776998
A friend of mine rode across Canada back in the early 1970s using a Pletscher rear rack to hold his gear. He enjoyed the ride and wrote a book about it = "JOURNEY ACROSS A CONTINENT" by David Gidmark.
Cheers
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zombdog/5218776998
A friend of mine rode across Canada back in the early 1970s using a Pletscher rear rack to hold his gear. He enjoyed the ride and wrote a book about it = "JOURNEY ACROSS A CONTINENT" by David Gidmark.
Cheers
Last edited by reverborama; 07-08-20 at 09:10 PM.
#8
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,170
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1554 Post(s)
Liked 1,273 Times
in
845 Posts
There were Japanese copies as well, likely sold at K-mart before the Taiwan-made production.
The Japanese ones were just about as nice as the originals, I had one on a U08 for years and it held up to a lot of loading and off-roading.
I remember K-mart in the 70's having a lot of stuff made in Japan that turned out to be rather high quality, stuff like tools and even gloves iir.
I bought my timing light there back in the day and actually used it today! I've had two others burn out over the years, but the US-made All Pro from K-mart is the sole survivor.
The Japanese ones were just about as nice as the originals, I had one on a U08 for years and it held up to a lot of loading and off-roading.
I remember K-mart in the 70's having a lot of stuff made in Japan that turned out to be rather high quality, stuff like tools and even gloves iir.
I bought my timing light there back in the day and actually used it today! I've had two others burn out over the years, but the US-made All Pro from K-mart is the sole survivor.
Likes For dddd:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: south kansas america
Posts: 1,909
Bikes: too many
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 411 Post(s)
Liked 233 Times
in
139 Posts
That's a cool rack, and the Kmart connection makes it even cooler, well, to me anyways. I'm sure I still have a Pletcher rack (or three) around in my shed, somewhere.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,016
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times
in
355 Posts
Cheap, flimsy Chinese knockoff of a cheap, flimsy Pletscher; what's not to love?
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#11
Junior Member
I do seem to remember those years ago hanging on hook in the bike department at Kmart along side the bulb horns, mickey mouse bells, and various other Kmart packaged items. I've seen those racks with various names on them, Cycle Pro, Free Spirit, and a few others over the years. There was a time when Kmart was big enough to buy in sufficient quantities to have their own branding.
I've got a Taiwan made knockoff on one of my beater bikes, its held up just fine over the years.
I never really figured out what that rat trap like device on top was good for, anything that it would hold down would be too small to worry about needing a rack for. When I was in school, those who used them to carry books usually just used bungee cords, but in reality, most people wore a back pack. I had bolted a cooler down to mine and used to for my lunch and carried everything else on my back.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Upper Left, USA
Posts: 1,953
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 634 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times
in
298 Posts
I have to agree, with Kmart gone now and with all the other renditions of the old Pletscher racks out there I'd have to put that one on a shelf.
I do seem to remember those years ago hanging on hook in the bike department at Kmart along side the bulb horns, mickey mouse bells, and various other Kmart packaged items. I've seen those racks with various names on them, Cycle Pro, Free Spirit, and a few others over the years. There was a time when Kmart was big enough to buy in sufficient quantities to have their own branding.
I've got a Taiwan made knockoff on one of my beater bikes, its held up just fine over the years.
I never really figured out what that rat trap like device on top was good for, anything that it would hold down would be too small to worry about needing a rack for. When I was in school, those who used them to carry books usually just used bungee cords, but in reality, most people wore a back pack. I had bolted a cooler down to mine and used to for my lunch and carried everything else on my back.
I do seem to remember those years ago hanging on hook in the bike department at Kmart along side the bulb horns, mickey mouse bells, and various other Kmart packaged items. I've seen those racks with various names on them, Cycle Pro, Free Spirit, and a few others over the years. There was a time when Kmart was big enough to buy in sufficient quantities to have their own branding.
I've got a Taiwan made knockoff on one of my beater bikes, its held up just fine over the years.
I never really figured out what that rat trap like device on top was good for, anything that it would hold down would be too small to worry about needing a rack for. When I was in school, those who used them to carry books usually just used bungee cords, but in reality, most people wore a back pack. I had bolted a cooler down to mine and used to for my lunch and carried everything else on my back.
Likes For old's'cool:
#14
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,747
Bikes: yes please
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 1,626 Times
in
935 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,961
Bikes: Too many Bicycles to list
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 89 Post(s)
Liked 63 Times
in
44 Posts
There were Japanese copies as well, likely sold at K-mart before the Taiwan-made production.
The Japanese ones were just about as nice as the originals, I had one on a U08 for years and it held up to a lot of loading and off-roading.
I remember K-mart in the 70's having a lot of stuff made in Japan that turned out to be rather high quality, stuff like tools and even gloves iir.
I bought my timing light there back in the day and actually used it today! I've had two others burn out over the years, but the US-made All Pro from K-mart is the sole survivor.
The Japanese ones were just about as nice as the originals, I had one on a U08 for years and it held up to a lot of loading and off-roading.
I remember K-mart in the 70's having a lot of stuff made in Japan that turned out to be rather high quality, stuff like tools and even gloves iir.
I bought my timing light there back in the day and actually used it today! I've had two others burn out over the years, but the US-made All Pro from K-mart is the sole survivor.
Glenn
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,872
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,727 Times
in
1,179 Posts
I'll bet there are several re-brands. A Taiwan-made knock-off, branded Timberlin (WI-based '90s bike/component import start-up, eventually swallowed up by Pacific), came on a '70s Raleigh 3-speed we bought a while back.
#17
Senior Member
They held a sweatshirt just fine or a light jacket. Also a neat place to secure your baseball mit.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: south kansas america
Posts: 1,909
Bikes: too many
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 411 Post(s)
Liked 233 Times
in
139 Posts
What is there to love? They were inexpensive way to add a rack to your bike. For many, they did a admirable job of carrying our books, book bag, and/or lunch to school. That's what there is to love. Not every rack was going to be tasked with carrying 40 lbs of bicycle touring gear. Those Pletcher racks were ubiquitous in the late 70's and early 80's, and during my years working at a bicycle shop in the 80's, I don't recall any of them failing unless they saw serious abuse.
#19
Senior Member
Besides the above mentioned items, mine would regularly carry a fishing pole.
Likes For Salamandrine:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,626
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 780 Post(s)
Liked 727 Times
in
401 Posts
The spring loaded trap on these racks are the perfect size to hold a large krptonite u-lock. I found it very useful when commuting.
I really like the look of that Schwinn version. It's perfect for supporting a large saddle bag. The way it flows up the the seatpost will help keep the bag away from brake cable.
I really like the look of that Schwinn version. It's perfect for supporting a large saddle bag. The way it flows up the the seatpost will help keep the bag away from brake cable.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,016
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times
in
355 Posts
Taiwan, Republic of China, as they call themselves.
I know they have their fans here. But I managed to break two of those Pletschers without half trying. But what I hated most* was the unstable wobbling on those two spindly legs going down to the dropouts, even with a very light load.
* I didn't realize I hated it until I got my first Blackburn, with three solid legs going down on either side, and learned that a rack doesn't necessarily have to wobble side to side under moderate pedaling effort.
I know they have their fans here. But I managed to break two of those Pletschers without half trying. But what I hated most* was the unstable wobbling on those two spindly legs going down to the dropouts, even with a very light load.
* I didn't realize I hated it until I got my first Blackburn, with three solid legs going down on either side, and learned that a rack doesn't necessarily have to wobble side to side under moderate pedaling effort.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,872
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,727 Times
in
1,179 Posts
"You are in a helicopter." I.e. true, but irrelevant. It does not mean that something marked "Made in Taiwan" is "China made", any more than a product made in Mexico, which is in North America, is "American made".
The very definition of a stable rack is one of the early Jim Blackburn SS-1 racks attached to a Trek sport-tour bike with braze-ons. Jim and the folks at Trek collaborated on spacing of the attachment points for a perfect fit. A rack so attached almost feels like an extension of the frame.
* I didn't realize I hated it until I got my first Blackburn, with three solid legs going down on either side, and learned that a rack doesn't necessarily have to wobble side to side under moderate pedaling effort.