Ridable Rack
This will be the last rack posting for a little while, until it is actually complete.
(click for more photos)
I installed the other stay and a backstop last night, cleaned up the flux, and mounted the rack on my bike. I only used it for a short ride this morning but it seems to work very well. I was worried that my stays were too far forward and would cause problems with the front wheel hook on the bus rack, but it wasn’t an issue.
Remaining work:
- Install a light mount. I think I’m going to get a Lumotec Oval and mount it between the stay and the wheel. It looks like there is enough space.
- Wire routing for the light.
- Fender eyelets (so the fender mounts to the rack)
The bike handles nicely with the front bag. This isn’t a surprise since it is a lower trail bike (45mm trail). There is a small amount of shimmy when riding no hands, but this will probably go away if I drop the tire pressure a little. I normally ride these tires (28mm Avocet Duros) at 75psi but they are at 90psi right now.
Congrats on the homegrown rack. It’’s purty! I like how purpose-built it is — compatibility with bus racks, the upgrades/changes you plan to add to it. It really brings home the constructeur ethic, to the extent I understand it. I part ways with that school at integrating racks in most situations (I like that yours can be moved from bike to bike). Maybe it’’s just what I am used to, and maybe it’’s the retailer in me. Anyway, cool deal, Alex!