Rear Rack for Univega Sportour
06-06-20, 05:20 PM
#1
Training Wheels
Thread Starter
Rear Rack for Univega Sportour
I am looking to mount a rear rack onto a 1981 Univega Sportour and am looking for recommendations. The wheels are 27", there are non-threaded eyelets on the dropouts, but no braze-ons on the rear seat stays (I plan to use P-Clamps or get a rack that has an arm to mount onto the caliper brakes). My major issue in finding a rack is that the rear dropouts are only about 5.25" apart. Most of the racks have legs that are 6" apart (like the Topeak Explorer) and while you can compress the legs to fit, I worry that it is a pretty substantial narrowing of the rack. The Racktime Eco Tour 2.0 that I was looking at recommends only going down to 5.6" wide (max of 6.8) in their tech drawings. The other criteria I have are: $50 or less, has an all flat portion on at least one end (so the Axiom Journey doesn't work), and at least ~4-5" wide (so the Axiom Streamliner doesn't work). Any suggestions given these constraints? Thanks.
06-06-20, 05:28 PM
#2
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I like vintage Blackburn racks. Period correct too. That is my opinion.
Here is an example in black anodize:
Blackburn rack
Make sure you get all the small brackets and hardware that comes with the rack.
For flat end, I am not sure what you mean? Do you want a flat platform?
Here is an example in black anodize:
Blackburn rack
Make sure you get all the small brackets and hardware that comes with the rack.
For flat end, I am not sure what you mean? Do you want a flat platform?
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06-06-20, 05:39 PM
#3
Training Wheels
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Not as desirable for me because I want to be able to place slightly larger things on the top of the rack if I want to. If it curves up on one end, that is ok.
Thanks for the Blackburn suggestion.
06-06-20, 06:04 PM
#4
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I am looking to mount a rear rack onto a 1981 Univega Sportour and am looking for recommendations. The wheels are 27", there are non-threaded eyelets on the dropouts, but no braze-ons on the rear seat stays (I plan to use P-Clamps or get a rack that has an arm to mount onto the caliper brakes). My major issue in finding a rack is that the rear dropouts are only about 5.25" apart. Most of the racks have legs that are 6" apart (like the Topeak Explorer) and while you can compress the legs to fit, I worry that it is a pretty substantial narrowing of the rack. The Racktime Eco Tour 2.0 that I was looking at recommends only going down to 5.6" wide (max of 6.8) in their tech drawings. The other criteria I have are: $50 or less, has an all flat portion on at least one end (so the Axiom Journey doesn't work), and at least ~4-5" wide (so the Axiom Streamliner doesn't work). Any suggestions given these constraints? Thanks.
06-06-20, 10:09 PM
#6
Mad bike riding scientist
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I am looking to mount a rear rack onto a 1981 Univega Sportour and am looking for recommendations. The wheels are 27", there are non-threaded eyelets on the dropouts, but no braze-ons on the rear seat stays (I plan to use P-Clamps or get a rack that has an arm to mount onto the caliper brakes). My major issue in finding a rack is that the rear dropouts are only about 5.25" apart. Most of the racks have legs that are 6" apart (like the Topeak Explorer) and while you can compress the legs to fit, I worry that it is a pretty substantial narrowing of the rack. The Racktime Eco Tour 2.0 that I was looking at recommends only going down to 5.6" wide (max of 6.8) in their tech drawings. The other criteria I have are: $50 or less, has an all flat portion on at least one end (so the Axiom Journey doesn't work), and at least ~4-5" wide (so the Axiom Streamliner doesn't work). Any suggestions given these constraints? Thanks.
You could also use a Jaand Disc Brake Adapter. That will give you more space for the rack.
I would also suggest Ortlieb clamps over P-clips. They are easier to use and more robust.
That’s not original. They didn't come with a rack.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
06-06-20, 10:30 PM
#7
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I don’t think I’ve ever installed a rack that didn’t have to be spread or compressed at least 3/8” on either side. I wouldn’t worry about that aspect of it. I mean, you're not even bending the aluminum (although you could get away with that, bending it a little bit, only once), you're just flexing it a little.
I had a vintage Jim Blackburn on my '81 SportTour, which I eventually handed down to an employee of mine.
I had a vintage Jim Blackburn on my '81 SportTour, which I eventually handed down to an employee of mine.
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● 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 ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 06-07-20 at 01:11 AM.
06-06-20, 10:49 PM
#8
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Go to C&V Sales here on BikeForums. Force has a number of racks that would work and be appropriate.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ndale-etc.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ndale-etc.html
Last edited by Velo Mule; 06-06-20 at 10:51 PM. Reason: add link
06-06-20, 11:13 PM
#9
Training Wheels
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Some racks curve up at both ends. An example is the Axiom Journey https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ra...racks/journey/. I'd prefer one that stayed flat all the way on at least one end so that I can rest something completely flat along most of the length.
06-06-20, 11:17 PM
#10
Training Wheels
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Aluminum racks aren’t going to compress very well. You might consider a steel one like a Tubus. It’s more expensive than the Racktime but they are steel and can be probably be taken past that 5.9” limit without having to worry about losing stength. A Tubus Cargo Evo goes down to 5.5” and would fit your other requirements well.
Good point. I will look into these as options. Thanks.
06-07-20, 12:24 AM
#11
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I'd look for an unfinished/unpainted vintage Blackburn with the fixed rear caliper bolt arm and hope it's scratched to hell so no one wants it. I'd spend fifteen minutes with some 80 grit and make it look brand new. I'd search craigs first. Look the low-level donor with bent fork, frozen seatpost, and the perfect rear rack for $40 obo.
06-07-20, 02:12 PM
#12
Training Wheels
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