Do you run a rack on your folder?
#1
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Do you run a rack on your folder?
I have gone back and forth a couple times with a Arc Rear Rack (ie not the aluminum) on my Dahon Speed D7 and I am curious if you guys run a rear rack on your folder and why.
I don't commute on my folder and only occasionally fold. I haven't found a use for the rack and if anything it hinders (not greatly) its ability to fold. I haven't bought panniers either but given how the dahon folds, I don't know if I would buy two. I basically use the bike for mixed travel or when there is no bike rack. My only reservation for ditching it entirely is if I need it.
So do you guys use your racks on your folders, and if so why?
I don't commute on my folder and only occasionally fold. I haven't found a use for the rack and if anything it hinders (not greatly) its ability to fold. I haven't bought panniers either but given how the dahon folds, I don't know if I would buy two. I basically use the bike for mixed travel or when there is no bike rack. My only reservation for ditching it entirely is if I need it.
So do you guys use your racks on your folders, and if so why?
#2
The Recumbent Quant
I do regularly use my rack, but it's a seatpost rack:
I use it for one or two panniers and find it works well (as long as I've clamped it down tight enough). It's very easy to pop off if I don't want it. It claims a weight limit of 10 Kg.
I find that it's a great choice for those of us who don't want to "permamently" add a rack (or those who don't have the mounts).
I use it for one or two panniers and find it works well (as long as I've clamped it down tight enough). It's very easy to pop off if I don't want it. It claims a weight limit of 10 Kg.
I find that it's a great choice for those of us who don't want to "permamently" add a rack (or those who don't have the mounts).
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My bike came with one, don't really use it, and i seen the need to put one one the other bicycles. i tend to wear a back pack instead
#4
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Bikes: A Bianchi C2C road bike, a steel framed touring bike and a Xootr Swift folder which has made the rest redundant!
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I have used a rack on my Swift but as I don't usually carry much I tend to rely on a variety of seat packs.
#6
Banned
Bike Friday , panniers On the Front wheel .. , front bag on M3L ( had an M3R for a few years, too )
#7
Senior Member
It's been a long time since I had a bike without a rack. If it doesn't come with one, adding one is one of the first steps to getting a bike street-worthy. But a case could be made for a folder. Especially because I find that with the smaller wheel-base on one of my folders, combined with the low position of the rack mean that anything wider than the rack itself will cause heel strike. Still, even on the one bike of mine that still has this issue, I leave the rack on. I don't feel like it interferes with the fold, and even if it seldom does anything else, it gives me a place to put my U-lock.
I have been thinking that with my Raleigh Twenty, if I want to do some light touring on it, I may pull a trailer, rather than use panniers, in which case I might leave the rack off when I want to carry more, which is odd. But then even if I'm not intending to use it, it comes in handy. I'm commuting mostly on a full sized touring bike, and every time I think about removing at least the front rack when I'm not touring, I remember a time when it came in handy in the recent past. And when I do occasionally ride somewhere with no pannier or trunk bag, too often I find myself struggling to get home with something that would have easily been accommodated by my regular gear.
So I can see the reason for wanting to keep it light and simple, but whenever I try it, I find myself regretting the lost storage space.
I have been thinking that with my Raleigh Twenty, if I want to do some light touring on it, I may pull a trailer, rather than use panniers, in which case I might leave the rack off when I want to carry more, which is odd. But then even if I'm not intending to use it, it comes in handy. I'm commuting mostly on a full sized touring bike, and every time I think about removing at least the front rack when I'm not touring, I remember a time when it came in handy in the recent past. And when I do occasionally ride somewhere with no pannier or trunk bag, too often I find myself struggling to get home with something that would have easily been accommodated by my regular gear.
So I can see the reason for wanting to keep it light and simple, but whenever I try it, I find myself regretting the lost storage space.
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Loving rear rack mounted panniers. No sweaty back and I can carry work gear, kit or shopping.A bike bag is always top mounted incase of officious public transport jobsworths. Quick release Ortlieb panniers mean the fold is unaffected. If you don't need your rack good luck to you. For me its the biz.
#10
Banned
My Why(?) small wheels and their inherent low trail steering Geometry
stability works better with a load on the front end ..
of the 2 , the B front Bag works so much better than the 2 panniers .. as it pops right off..
but my bags have a D ring on the top corners . so I can stretch net stuff on top.
for more carrying capacity..
stability works better with a load on the front end ..
of the 2 , the B front Bag works so much better than the 2 panniers .. as it pops right off..
but my bags have a D ring on the top corners . so I can stretch net stuff on top.
for more carrying capacity..
#11
Hello
Every time I have a bike WITHOUT a rack, I marvel at how light and nimble they can be but always wondering Where to CARRY STUFF ?? (I commute). Racks on almost ALL my bikes. (I've even got bikes with baskets!)
Liking that Axiom seat bag above.
Liking that Axiom seat bag above.
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I use my rack all the time, but I am pootling around town doing grocery runs, not carrying the folder to a vacation location and taking long tours. I got a cooler bag from IKEA free during one grocery run there (with a good visible light green color) and strap it to the rack with the bungee cord.
#13
Senior Member
I should clarify, it doesn't get in the way of folding but I notice more bulk. I traveled for a few months with it in my car and even in the same footprint it seemed to take up less space without it. I would ride with the lock on there but it bounces around or the roads I am on suck or maybe I'm just paranoid.
As for baskets, I have a front basket that just hangs off the handlebars. Easy on/easy off, or it would be if any of my handlebars were shaped to take advantage of it. I've often thought that might be a good accessory for occasional carrying. It could easily be left off when not desired. My only problem, apart from handlebar incompatibility, is that I frequently don't realize I'll wanting carrying capacity until after I'm on the road, so a permanent solution still works better for me.
#14
Newbie
Call Me Al....do you have a Brompton? Only reason I am asking is because I have a Brompton and in the market for panniers, but I was told by some friends that the panniers might interfere with pedaling. Just was wondering if you have panniers with a Brompton and if so, did you ahve to do anything different.
Loving rear rack mounted panniers. No sweaty back and I can carry work gear, kit or shopping.A bike bag is always top mounted incase of officious public transport jobsworths. Quick release Ortlieb panniers mean the fold is unaffected. If you don't need your rack good luck to you. For me its the biz.
#15
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Location: Carlisle, in England's Lake District, just a few miles south of the border with Scotland.
Posts: 323
Bikes: A Bianchi C2C road bike, a steel framed touring bike and a Xootr Swift folder which has made the rest redundant!
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https://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.ph...=75365#p658920
Last edited by Paul Braithwait; 01-22-14 at 04:53 PM.
#16
Banned
there are wings that hang below beam racks to stabilize a small pannier ,
and even some bags made with 'spaniel ears' for more capacity ..
the scheme some people used was stand a Backpack up
on their Brompton Rear Rack.. and secure the bottom of it far enough Back
so as to not Kick It.
Another Bromptonaut , Used the front Touring bag and a Camper long flap
Carradice saddle bag .. without a rear rack ..
I snagged A Carry Freedom City.. Bike trailer before the Scottish company
changed the distribution deal with their only US retailer .
It folds FLAT . bag comes out with 1 buckle.
and even some bags made with 'spaniel ears' for more capacity ..
the scheme some people used was stand a Backpack up
on their Brompton Rear Rack.. and secure the bottom of it far enough Back
so as to not Kick It.
Another Bromptonaut , Used the front Touring bag and a Camper long flap
Carradice saddle bag .. without a rear rack ..
I snagged A Carry Freedom City.. Bike trailer before the Scottish company
changed the distribution deal with their only US retailer .
It folds FLAT . bag comes out with 1 buckle.
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-22-14 at 03:36 PM.
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Call Me Al....do you have a Brompton? Only reason I am asking is because I have a Brompton and in the market for panniers, but I was told by some friends that the panniers might interfere with pedaling. Just was wondering if you have panniers with a Brompton and if so, did you ahve to do anything different.
#18
Schwinnasaur
My Why(?) small wheels and their inherent low trail steering Geometry
stability works better with a load on the front end ..
of the 2 , the B front Bag works so much better than the 2 panniers .. as it pops right off..
but my bags have a D ring on the top corners . so I can stretch net stuff on top.
for more carrying capacity..
stability works better with a load on the front end ..
of the 2 , the B front Bag works so much better than the 2 panniers .. as it pops right off..
but my bags have a D ring on the top corners . so I can stretch net stuff on top.
for more carrying capacity..
Last edited by Schwinnsta; 01-22-14 at 08:03 PM. Reason: Added content
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Now that our local mass-transit system allows regular bikes on at all times the main uses for my folder are for touring or to take along on vacation trips for a variety of functions. In either case a rack is necessary - to carry my camping gear in panniers in the first case and to carry shopping items in the second. But I don't see the issue - it only takes a minute to undo the four allen head bolts securing the rack. So if you don't want to have it by all means take it off.
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The seat post rack with side drops for panniers is a good mix. You can add small top bag (Axiom) or saddle bags(Louis Garneau) or both. The whole thing is easily removable and can stay on the bikes when folded. Shown are my black Giant Halfway and wife's white Expressway. We find racks are a must for travel and daytrips.
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#24
LET'S ROLL
I could have ordered my Brompton with a rack;
but prefer to use the front block to carry a bag.
Most of the time I just stuff my tools/snacks/
water bottle in my jersey pockets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt5Mz...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
but prefer to use the front block to carry a bag.
Most of the time I just stuff my tools/snacks/
water bottle in my jersey pockets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt5Mz...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
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I guess I'll be the exception in this thread. When I bought my Birdy, it had a rack on it, but I removed it because I never use it and I prefer a backpack or messenger bag.