Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

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MountainSurfer
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Joined: 9 May 2021, 8:16pm

Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by MountainSurfer »

Hi all

I've bought a full carbon bike (Cannondale Synapse) as my first road bike (second hand, got it cheap). I will be using it for commuting and occasional weekend medium distance rides. I don't have space and couldn't justify two bikes, so got this to cover both bases.

I'd like to attach a rear pannier rack but when buying didn't realise to look out for eyelets/seatpost attachment points. This bike doesn't have them.

I'd like to find a solution. I don't want a seatpost only rack as that will likely destroy my carbon seatpost.

I've come across Tailfin (https://www.tailfin.cc ; way too expensive) and Arkel (https://www.arkel-od.com/arkel-randonneur-rack/ ; not ideal) as potential solutions, but if possible would like something I could use traditional panniers with.

I then found this, which seems absolutely perfect (https://oldmanmountain.com/product/sher ... bike-rack/). It attaches to the axle of the back wheel thereby putting all the weight through that, and not requiring eyelets (and I would have to buy a ring for the seatpost that would have attachment points). The only problem is it's only available in the US, not the UK.

So I'm on the lookout for similar racks that go through the axle to attach, and was wondering if anyone could recommend an alternative that's available in the UK?

Many thanks for your help.
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gaz
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by gaz »

Welcome to the forum.

Old Man Mountain, UK dealer: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/search/?ter ... ountain%22

I've no idea whether the precise combination of rack and fitting kit you are looking for is in stock.
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Paulatic
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Paulatic »

I’ve one I bought around 10 yrs ago. Can’t recall what make it is but it’s not this one https://www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/m- ... lloy-black
I swap it between an alloy frame and carbon frame. Get a booming sound over bumps when on the carbon frame.
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Jdsk
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Jdsk »

You can add fixing points on the frame with P clips, eg:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mudguards/1 ... ted-black/

Jonathan
Jamesh
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Jamesh »

How much weight are you wanting to put through the rack?

Are you wanting panniers? Too much weight may damage the frame.

I'd suggest looking at bike packing gear for a carbon synapse.

It's what I used for my end to end on a Cannondale six which is simalar geo to a synapse.

Cheers James
mongoose
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Joined: 5 May 2017, 9:45pm

Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by mongoose »

A couple of years ago I sorted a skewer mounted rack to fit a Specialized Cirrus Carbon bike. Although it had thru axle hubs the skewer fitted through the axle with just a small spacer to clear the seat stay. At the time there were suitable racks by Blackburn, Mpart, Tubus, Oxford and Axiom from SJS Cycles and Tredz - I can't remember which one we got. We needed a longer skewer than standard which SJS Cycles supplied.
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Paulatic
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Paulatic »

Have you disc or rim brakes?
Something like this would fit https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/accessor ... ack-p24332 The shape is right at the bottom of the legs. with the addition of a longer skewer.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life

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Jamesh
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Jamesh »

Would a longer skewer be put under increased stress if the axle isn't supporting the rack mounts?

Just a thought.

Cheers James
gregoryoftours
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Joined: 22 May 2011, 7:14pm

Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by gregoryoftours »

Look at Tubus options too - they make a rear axle mounting kit for their racks.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/carriers-ra ... -mounting/
LuckyLuke
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by LuckyLuke »

gregoryoftours wrote: 9 May 2021, 10:30pm Look at Tubus options too - they make a rear axle mounting kit for their racks.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/carriers-ra ... -mounting/
Hi, I fitted the Tubus Disco rack to a now ex’s bike in 2016. It was a disc braked aluminium Boardman hybrid that did have eyelets on the seat stays. The lower rack mount is by using the rear hub skewer. I recall the rack came with an extra long quick release skewer. As the bike was used for commuting I fitted a longer pitlock skewer.
The rack, like all other Tubus racks I’ve used is top quality and rock solid. My ex swapped to a rim-braked bike and we swapped the Tubus Disco to that. Still mounting it via the pitlock hub skewer. It’s 5 yrs old now, in regular use and still going strong.
One issue is the absence of seat stay eyelets. I’ve used P clips and Tubus’ own equivalents, (excellent), but only on steel frames. I genuinely don’t know if it’s ok for carbon frames.
Best wishes,
Luke
hamster
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by hamster »

It's also worth having a think about whether your frame has short seatstays and could give you enough heel clearance for panniers.

Personally I would never fit P-clips to a carbon frame - the middle of the stays is unlikely to be heavily reinforced and may not be suitable for rack loads, plus the risk of crushing the stays.

I would consider whether a seat bag (either of the backpacking or Carradice type) would work better.

But be aware you might be trying to fit a towbar to a Ferrari.
mattheus
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by mattheus »

Jamesh wrote: 9 May 2021, 10:17pm Would a longer skewer be put under increased stress if the axle isn't supporting the rack mounts?

Just a thought.
I was puzzled about this. Then I looked at some of the selling sites and it looks like these things put the load on the dropouts, by kinda hooking into the space where the axle end sits.

It's not clear in any picture I've found, so this may be nonsense! But you certainly cant put any vertical load on a QR skewer - they're tiny in that direction!
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Mick F
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Mick F »

Bought the one for Barbarella from Halfords. You don't have to spend much money.
Had a similar one on Mercian and that has QR hubs.
I thought all rear racks went onto the rear dropouts.
William+Barbarella.jpg
Helmsdale.jpg
Mick F. Cornwall
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Mick F
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by Mick F »

mattheus wrote: 10 May 2021, 10:39am ..... But you certainly cant put any vertical load on a QR skewer - they're tiny in that direction!
Never had an issue when I've used them.
That photo of Mercian was when fully loaded doing an unsupported JOGLE.
Mick F. Cornwall
mattheus
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Re: Rear rack that attaches to axle (for carbon bike without eyelets)

Post by mattheus »

mattheus wrote: 10 May 2021, 10:39am
Jamesh wrote: 9 May 2021, 10:17pm Would a longer skewer be put under increased stress if the axle isn't supporting the rack mounts?

Just a thought.
I was puzzled about this. Then I looked at some of the selling sites and it looks like these things put the load on the dropouts, by kinda hooking into the space where the axle end sits.

It's not clear in any picture I've found, so this may be nonsense! But you certainly cant put any vertical load on a QR skewer - they're tiny in that direction!
I should clarify this - in light of MickF's comments. I mean these gizmos seems to slot into the dropout WHERE THE AXLE fits. [In my mind, this IS the "dropout"! But I now realise most folks refer to the whole flattish part of the frame as the "dropout" i.e. the part that joins the two stays together!]
Every rack I've ever used attaches a little way above that, in a load-specific eyelet. Like this:
EYELETCLOSE.gif
EDIT: and now I'm revising my thoughts yet again - I've ridden many miles with a rack resting on P-CLIPS (steel frame) in the past, and they don't seem much more sturdy than a QR-skewer. So I am now spinning on the fence ...
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