Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Rack for bikes with fenders

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Rack for bikes with fenders

Old 03-03-20, 08:45 PM
  #1  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,762
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6881 Post(s)
Liked 10,869 Times in 4,634 Posts
Rack for bikes with fenders

Hi all. Perhaps there is a better subforum for this, but I didn’t see one. I’m looking for a hitch-mounted bike rack that will safely accommodate bikes with fenders. Seems like most of the good ones have the swing arm that clamps down on the front wheels (like this one) which will not be very friendly to fendered bikes.

All suggestions appreciated!
Koyote is offline  
Old 03-03-20, 10:33 PM
  #2  
JanMM
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times in 225 Posts
Yakima Two Timer works with bikes with fenders.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
JanMM is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 07:10 AM
  #3  
TomJD
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Swagman G10

I bought one of these last year for exactly this reason. A short length of pipe insulation helps provide additional top tube cushioning and protection. I have used it for local as well as day long interstate trips and am quite pleased.


​​​​
TomJD is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 07:24 AM
  #4  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,762
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6881 Post(s)
Liked 10,869 Times in 4,634 Posts
JanMM and TomJD :Thanks for the recommendations. I note that the rack has an arm that clamps over the top tube. Have either of you had issues with scratches or other paint damage?
Koyote is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 02:30 PM
  #5  
TomJD
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Koyote
JanMM and TomJD :Thanks for the recommendations. I note that the rack has an arm that clamps over the top tube. Have either of you had issues with scratches or other paint damage?
No, that's why I place a short length of pipe insulation around the top tube where the clamp contacts it. Easy!
TomJD is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 04:43 PM
  #6  
Nyah
QR-disc must die!!!
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia.
Posts: 703

Bikes: '99 Trek 520, '20 Kona Sutra (FOR SALE 48cm), '21 Simon-Bikes mini-velo and a chromoly-framed folding bicycle with drop-bars and V-brakes, that rolls even while folded.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 199 Times in 147 Posts
Any reasonably stocked bicycle shop should have numerous racks that are compatible with fenders. The bicycle itself is where the incompatibility would exist, as some do not have eyelets for racks.
Nyah is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 05:02 PM
  #7  
mr_bill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times in 443 Posts
If you don’t want a rack that touches the frame, look at:

Saris Superclamp family
Thule Helium Platform (?)

Fender friendly wheel clamps and no pipe insulation required.

-mr. bill

Last edited by mr_bill; 03-05-20 at 05:56 AM.
mr_bill is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 08:21 PM
  #8  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,762
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6881 Post(s)
Liked 10,869 Times in 4,634 Posts
Originally Posted by mr_bill
If you don’t want a rack that touches the frame, look at:

Saris Superclamp family
Thule T2 family

Fender friendly wheel clamps and no pipe insulation required.

-mr. bill
Those both appear to be precisely the type of rack that I would like to avoid: that clamp on the front wheel will damage a fender, I believe. Unless I am missing something?
Koyote is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 08:38 PM
  #9  
mr_bill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times in 443 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Those both appear to be precisely the type of rack that I would like to avoid: that clamp on the front wheel will damage a fender, I believe. Unless I am missing something?
Read The Manual.

The clamps on the front wheel at 10:00 will NOT damage a fender. On the rear wheel, use a wheel strap.

If you don’t want to touch your tire, wheel, or frame get a rack where you remove the front wheel and clamp through the fork. If you don’t want to do that, I’m stumped.

-mr. bill

Last edited by mr_bill; 03-05-20 at 07:24 AM.
mr_bill is offline  
Old 03-04-20, 09:15 PM
  #10  
Koyote
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,762
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6881 Post(s)
Liked 10,869 Times in 4,634 Posts
Originally Posted by mr_bill
Read The Manual.

The clamps on the front wheel at 10:00 will NOT damage a fender. On the rear wheel, use a wheel strap.

If you don’t want to touch your tire, wheel, or frame get a rack where you remove the front wheel and clamp through the fork. If you don’t want to do that, I’m stumped.

-mr. bill
Are you saying the clamp will be on the tire rather than the fender? If so, that depends on the length of the fender, correct?

Or are you saying that the clamps are soft/gentle/whatever?
Koyote is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 07:33 AM
  #11  
mr_bill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times in 443 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Are you saying the clamp will be on the tire rather than the fender? If so, that depends on the length of the fender, correct?

Or are you saying that the clamps are soft/gentle/whatever?
The tire clamp goes on the FRONT tire. Instead of a tire clamp on the rear, use a wheel strap instead.



-mr. bill
mr_bill is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 08:11 AM
  #12  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
Originally Posted by mr_bill
The tire clamp goes on the FRONT tire. Instead of a tire clamp on the rear, use a wheel strap instead.



-mr. bill
That does not look like the best solution to me for a fendered bike.

The front arm is pushing back, and it is completely dependent on the rear strap to pull back against it. The cradle the rear wheel sits in is tilted the wrong way. Can it be tilted forward to push back against the force from the front wheel clamp? Is the position of it adjustable so that it can be slid back behind the center of the rear wheel?

The rear wheel strap (or any wheel strap) should be just keeping the bike from bouncing out. As pictured, it is mission critical to keep the bike in the rack at all, and under a bit of tension.

Maybe I am missing something, here.

@ OP: I think for full fendered bikes, a frame clamp is the best option. They are the most flexible solution out there. They are also not thrown off by front racks.

Of course, I have never had issues with racks that contact the frame causing any damage, even after roughly 40K miles of travel with several bikes all over the country. YMMV.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 08:47 AM
  #13  
mr_bill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times in 443 Posts
Originally Posted by Kapusta
Maybe I am missing something, here.
Yeah, you take another look at the wheel trays in the picture. Think about why they are angled that way. The bike very simply can't "roll" out of the wheel trays if you use the wheel strap and tire clamp.

Hope you find what you are looking for. I wish you good luck in your search.

-mr. bill
mr_bill is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 09:44 AM
  #14  
RidingMatthew
Let's Ride!
 
RidingMatthew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Triad, NC USA
Posts: 2,569

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 24 Posts
I think Mr Bill might be right but I have used a frame rack with straps holding the wheels in. I want to upgrade but I have a bike with fenders and it definitely limits some options.
RidingMatthew is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 09:59 AM
  #15  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
Originally Posted by mr_bill
Yeah, you take another look at the wheel trays in the picture. Think about why they are angled that way. The bike very simply can't "roll" out of the wheel trays if you use the wheel strap and tire clamp.

Hope you find what you are looking for. I wish you good luck in your search.

-mr. bill
Yes, I have looked and to me It looks like they are angled the way they are for use with the clamps that go over the wheels. But with a full coverage rear fender there is no clamp over the rear wheel. Thus my comment.

Does the angle of the arms lock at different positions, such as 12 or 10 o’clock?

Just curious. I assume you have one of these and have used it with full coverage fenders, so I’ll take your word for it if it has worked out well.

Last edited by Kapusta; 03-05-20 at 10:04 AM.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 10:50 AM
  #16  
mr_bill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times in 443 Posts
Originally Posted by Kapusta
Yes, I have looked and to me It looks like they are angled the way they are for use with the clamps that go over the wheels. But with a full coverage rear fender there is no clamp over the rear wheel. Thus my comment.
You use a WHEEL STRAP with the rear wheel in lieu of the TIRE CLAMP.

Originally Posted by Kapusta
Does the angle of the arms lock at different positions, such as 12 or 10 o’clock?
It locks at many different positions, they recommend setting them to either 10 or 2 o'clock for obvious reasons.

Originally Posted by Kapusta
Just curious. I assume you have one of these and have used it with full coverage fenders, so I’ll take your word for it if it has worked out well.
A friend has one. It works just fine with fenders. Really.

-mr. bill
mr_bill is offline  
Old 03-05-20, 10:55 AM
  #17  
adalah
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JanMM
Yakima Two Timer works with bikes with fenders.
Agree with you..
adalah is offline  
Old 03-08-20, 08:07 AM
  #18  
westrid_dad
Junior Member
 
westrid_dad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 143

Bikes: Surly Ogre, Cannondale Topstone 105

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 12 Posts
Several of our bikes have fenders and racks mounted, and when we were shopping for hitch-mount bike racks there were fewer options that officially supported carrying bikes with fenders. We ended up with the Thule EasyFold XT2. It isn't cheap, it isn't light, it isn't as quick and easy to attach / remove bikes, but it carries any of our bikes very securely.

https://www.thule.com/en-us/bike-rac...-xt-2-_-903202
westrid_dad is offline  
Old 03-08-20, 11:07 AM
  #19  
Bryan C. 
nothing to see here
 
Bryan C.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Antioch, CA
Posts: 564
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 218 Post(s)
Liked 145 Times in 78 Posts
I use a Kuat sherpa rack with a bike with metal portland design works fenders. I have transported it thousands of miles without any damage to the front fender. I do put a small microfiber cloth between the arm and the fender/fork area to protect the finish but that's it.


Last edited by Bryan C.; 03-08-20 at 11:11 AM.
Bryan C. is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.