csi56

I have a Downtube 9FS 2014 vintage. I was thinking about adding a rear rack but the rear suspension complicates things. I think that whatever I do, the bike won't fold as well (if at all), but I'd like to explore alternatives.

Any old seat-post-mounted rack will do, but it would be nice if the seat-post end was quick release. Haven't found anything like that. A quick-release would allow me to move or remove it to lower the seat and fold the bike.

On the bike there are holes and braze-ons that could possibly be used for a frame-mounted rack, but I haven't found a short enough rack - the platform would have to stand 9-10 inches above the braze-ons in the picture. I could add a couple of angle brackets to the frame holes near the seat.

Any ideas? Is there an option I'm overlooking? Thanks!

Picture is at https://imgur.com/gallery/tva0D

downtube

You can use the braze-ons and the bottom shock bolts to attach a rack.

Thanks,
Yan

cplager

Yan is (of course) absolutely correct (as he should be).

Just make sure you attach the frame to the BOTTOM of the shock bolt (as he said) and not the TOP, otherwise your rack will become part of the rear suspension and you really don't want that.

In general, for rear suspension bikes, if there aren't braze-ons, pclamps work well.

csi56

Thanks, Yan and Charles - I'm going to pick up a standard-issue frame-mounted rack and hook it to the bottom of the shock bolt. I hadn't thought of using that attachment point. I'd better keep the packing material for my purchase, though...

L Arnold

Thule Pack and Pedal Racks are a good way to approach bikes with shocks on them, front and back. I would expect this could work for you.

csi56

I ended up doing this:

* bought an Ibera rack (IB-RA14, I think) so that I could use an Ibera bag (IB-BA1, I think) on the 9FS and on my Sondors Thin.

* bought a couple of mending plates, drilled the holes to about 5/16" using a titanium bit

* bought a couple of p-clamps

* attached the mending plates to the bottom shock bolts, and the rack's front supports to the other side of the plates

* attached the rack center supports to the p-clamps, and the p-clamps to the 9FS braze-ons above the rear hub

I can now attach the Ibera bag and its extra tubes and tools to whichever bike I choose to use. The fold on the 9FS is not too much worse despite the height of the rack; attaching the bag requires raising the seat, which I do anyway since I'm 5'10".

Thanks for your input, guys!

Three pix: https://imgur.com/a/V4K05

mirfi

CSI56, great job, you got my gears moving.

Thank You!

BTW, here's my current setup

downtube

Cool photo! I had a store in Ocracoke, and lived in Hatteras for two years. I rode an orange 9fs just like yours.

Thanks
Yan

csi56

mirfi, nice! Are you able to drop the seat most of the way down for folding? I was avoiding the seatpost-mounted racks because none that I found were easily moved or removed. Also, I see that you mounted the water bottle on the handlebar post - how? And the other bottle holder is facing backwards - does the bottle stay in place better? I have dropped lots of bottles with my water bottle cage facing forward, looking for a better idea. Thanks!

mirfi

I usually remove the seatpost when I fold as it is awkward. The bottle holder on the top rail is backwards as to have more room to put water bottle in and out. It seems to work OK, I usually put oversized coke bottle shaped metal water bottles in it. Also note, I usually don't use it much. The handlebar water cage bracket is on pretty solid and it stays in place. PS. I just received a bunch from china, plan to use them to secure a front basket.

mirfi

Yan,

I was planning to drive to Avon and make a symbolic ride around town. But weather and scheduling precluded it.

Maybe this year.

Mirfi.

mirfi

All,

This isn't a rear rack on a FS9 (Mercier mini-velo), but still proud of self, installing rack to seat tube, instead of seat post.

And no, not running with the upper rack, just goofing around.