Topeak rack & child seat on carbon gravel bike?
06-11-20, 09:51 AM
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Topeak rack & child seat on carbon gravel bike?
First...I know this isn’t the intended use for the bike, but I know there are no issues with a rack on the back of a carbon gravel bike. The topeak child seat attaches direct to the rack. Are there any strength or safety issues here? Anyone doing this for quick rides around time with their kids?
06-14-20, 05:56 PM
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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Yes. And you have to weigh the risks of a failure here, it could be a lot more than a cracked frame. Maybe just keep a cheap used hybrid for rides with the kid in the seat then sell it when they get too big. No carbon bike manufacturer is going to say go ahead unless the bike has rack mounts on chainstay and seatstay for it. If they do you will have to be sure to stay within the weight limits set by them. I have seen even water bottle mounts pull out of a carbon frame from the torque of mounting a water bottle as FYI.
06-15-20, 10:15 AM
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There are some carbon bikes with rack mounts where the manufacturer has published a weight limit. For instance the Jamis Renegade carbon frames (https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegadeseries.html) say "Load capacity for mounted racks = 25lbs front and 25lbs rear."
For a kid seat, stay within those limits (which may well be too restrictive). If they won't commit to a weight rating, they're really just for fenders - don't do it.
For a kid seat, stay within those limits (which may well be too restrictive). If they won't commit to a weight rating, they're really just for fenders - don't do it.
