andreakane

Is it just me, or does it seem like it's not uncommon for rear bike racks to come without hardware?! I bought a Minoura Gamoh rear rack ages ago and luckily found the user manual online where it provides the specs for the hardware, but just wondering if anyone else encounters this problem.

Miele Man

Sometimes the mounting hardware goes missing due to people using the Five finger discount. Sometimes the shop takes hardware from a rack in order to fix a different one. In both cases sometimes the shop forgets to replace the hardware before selling the rack. then again, sometimes the hardware is simply not included or has gone missing in transit. I always check to be sure the mounting hardware is there for any item that needs separate mounting hardware. That includes computers nd racks. It's one of the reasons I prefer to buy such things at a brick and mortar shop where I can check them before buying.

Cheers

Tacoenthusiast

Also check out your bike, sometimes mount screws can be on the bike already (had an allez like that )

dedhed

I usually use my own stainless hardware anyway.

unterhausen

It's pretty rare for a rack to have mounting bolts because there is some small chance it will not fit and they don't want to deal with the people that have that problem.
A bike shop will have the bolts, most likely.

indyfabz

My Nitto Big front and rear racks came with all sorts of hardware, including at least two different lengths and styles (bent and straight) of stays for the rear rack. The front racks came with, among other things, two different size p-clamps. I believe Tubus racks also come with hardware, though you might have to purchase additional hardware separately if you have an odd setup.

pdlamb

OP, it may just be your bad luck. All the racks I've bought had all the hardware needed to mount them.

Either make a run by your LBS, or swing by a hardware store, Fastenal, or similar place. IIRC all my mounting bolts are M5 (metric). Take a coin purse and you'll be set shortly.

Toadmeister

Anyone recommend some quality Stainless Steel hardware one can buy in quantities of around 20 or so? Nice to have spares but buying them individually is a pain.

Digger Goreman

I've been fortunate. Noticed, however, that hardware is always in bags, stapled to the information card. Loss would be foreseeable.

pdlamb

Fastenal.com, 11567665 . Or M5 Stainless and go fish...

fietsbob

Try a local bike shop rather than online shopping over the internet .

Bill in VA

Or if buying online, at least use a well regarded dealer like Universal Cycles, VeloOrange, Rene Herse, etc., that actually pack items with care.

pdlamb

I've actually ridden a bike to a (real) hardware store, the local Fastenal, and another Fastenal out of town. A good hardware store will have metric cap bolts, but stainless is iffy. Both Fastenals had stainless metric cap bolts, and as a bonus, you can pick up single Allen wrenches for less than $2 apiece -- in case you don't want or need another multi-tool or another set of 12 wrenches to replace the 4 or 5 mm that was lost. Sales tax is cheaper than shipping.

Bike shops were further away in all three cases. (But they know me, or rather my bike, at the LBS.)

andreakane

Awesome, thanks everyone for the feedback!

Darth Lefty 

The last few racks I've bought from Blackburn have had all kinds of hardware imaginable.

Short and long stays, four sizes of bolts and p-clamps. I've had no problem with SKS fenders either.