Porteur Rack value/price differences?
05-08-17, 03:36 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Porteur Rack value/price differences?
I am really curious about the difference in cost/value when it comes to these. Is the Velo Orange(Soma, Gamoh, etc) really worth $80 more than say, Origin 8? or 60 more than Rawland? Or even over $100 more than a Pure Cycle? Not to mention Pass & Stow (which I get...it's handmade).
My question is what exactly are you paying for when you purchase a higher end rack and does that price translate when it comes to overall value.
I am happy to grab a higher end one, I just want to make sure it is ($50, $100, etc) more of a rack.
My question is what exactly are you paying for when you purchase a higher end rack and does that price translate when it comes to overall value.
I am happy to grab a higher end one, I just want to make sure it is ($50, $100, etc) more of a rack.
Last edited by TourDeHood; 05-08-17 at 03:53 PM.
05-08-17, 05:15 PM
#2
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It depends on what your hauling and how heavy it is? Have you visited any bike shops to see what they have and compare?
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
05-08-17, 06:17 PM
#3
Senior Member
Racks vary wildly in their overall quality and features when you look at something for, say, $80, and an equivalent for $180.
To use Nitto as an example, their "Campee" front rack retails just around $300. An "equivalent" product might be Velo Orange's version, even though it is stainless versus chromoly, at $200. The Nitto rack has a far higher finish level (plainly obvious, if you actually see them in person), and the lowrider mounts are removable, if you don't need them. On the other hand, the Velo Orange rack has a decaleur integrated, and the Nitto does not.
Features are important, but so is material and finish. You would need to pick what is most important for your uses--that might be a $20 aluminum front mini-rack, or it might be a $150 chromoly one.
To get more than generalizations, you might start by saying what you plan to use it/them for.
To use Nitto as an example, their "Campee" front rack retails just around $300. An "equivalent" product might be Velo Orange's version, even though it is stainless versus chromoly, at $200. The Nitto rack has a far higher finish level (plainly obvious, if you actually see them in person), and the lowrider mounts are removable, if you don't need them. On the other hand, the Velo Orange rack has a decaleur integrated, and the Nitto does not.
Features are important, but so is material and finish. You would need to pick what is most important for your uses--that might be a $20 aluminum front mini-rack, or it might be a $150 chromoly one.
To get more than generalizations, you might start by saying what you plan to use it/them for.
05-08-17, 06:21 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am not going to be carrying huge loads so capacity is not an issue. I simply dig the way they look, in addition to their functionality TBH.
05-08-17, 06:28 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Racks vary wildly in their overall quality and features when you look at something for, say, $80, and an equivalent for $180.
To use Nitto as an example, their "Campee" front rack retails just around $300. An "equivalent" product might be Velo Orange's version, even though it is stainless versus chromoly, at $200. The Nitto rack has a far higher finish level (plainly obvious, if you actually see them in person), and the lowrider mounts are removable, if you don't need them. On the other hand, the Velo Orange rack has a decaleur integrated, and the Nitto does not.
Features are important, but so is material and finish. You would need to pick what is most important for your uses--that might be a $20 aluminum front mini-rack, or it might be a $150 chromoly one.
To get more than generalizations, you might start by saying what you plan to use it/them for.
To use Nitto as an example, their "Campee" front rack retails just around $300. An "equivalent" product might be Velo Orange's version, even though it is stainless versus chromoly, at $200. The Nitto rack has a far higher finish level (plainly obvious, if you actually see them in person), and the lowrider mounts are removable, if you don't need them. On the other hand, the Velo Orange rack has a decaleur integrated, and the Nitto does not.
Features are important, but so is material and finish. You would need to pick what is most important for your uses--that might be a $20 aluminum front mini-rack, or it might be a $150 chromoly one.
To get more than generalizations, you might start by saying what you plan to use it/them for.
Full disclosure...I just think portuer racks look badazz! I do however see my myself using it (I have a sweet rack bag, summer jobs delivering food, grocery runs etc). I dont need one that has pannier hooks, just perhaps a rail.
05-09-17, 03:50 AM
#6
I owned two Gamoh porteur racks and both diving boards broke while the bikes were loaded. Lucky for me I used a toe clip strap on the second one to use as a fail-safe device and it held the rack in place until I could fix it. When the first one broke I didn't crash but it was scary. Gamoh has since beefed up this part on the new racks. I ended up selling them because they weighed a ton and I really didn't need something that heavy duty. Now I use a mini front rack from Nitto.
If I needed a new porteur rack I would buy a Pass and Stow. I saw the rack and met the builder at NAHBS and this rack is well built. It might be overkill for you and your needs but outside of custom this is the one to buy.
If I needed a new porteur rack I would buy a Pass and Stow. I saw the rack and met the builder at NAHBS and this rack is well built. It might be overkill for you and your needs but outside of custom this is the one to buy.
05-09-17, 07:14 AM
#7
Banned
you are comparing ready mades,? (No personal experience with any, you list)
Consider hiring one custom made for you and then you can specify what you need it to do.
Have one made by Paul Comp.. their 'flatbed' , in aluminum , I don't haul much.. it is made to fit most bikes.
so mounting flexibility not surprisingly, reduces the rigidity ..
...
Consider hiring one custom made for you and then you can specify what you need it to do.
Have one made by Paul Comp.. their 'flatbed' , in aluminum , I don't haul much.. it is made to fit most bikes.
so mounting flexibility not surprisingly, reduces the rigidity ..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-09-17 at 07:24 AM.
05-09-17, 07:21 AM
#8
If you are talking about this (which I own), $218 through Rivendell:
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...rack-34f-20075
Nickel plated CrMo steel. Lots of hardware for a good fit. Worth every penny to me. I have used the front platform to carry large bundles of packaged firewood to my campsite. Also large enough for a sleeping bag if I need extra room for food some days.
05-09-17, 09:07 AM
#9
If you are talking about this (which I own), $218 through Rivendell:
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...rack-34f-20075
https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...rack-34f-20075
05-09-17, 10:57 AM
#10
I think a Campee is really this one. Nitto Campee Front 650b Touring Rack
05-09-17, 12:18 PM
#12
The VO rack includes the rails around the platform. It also has the bosses for attaching lights, or other accutrements. I have and use the VO porteur rack. Very nice finish.
