Reddit reviews Explorer Rack Without Spring, Black

First thought: seems a lot like the Topeak Explorer series of bike racks. The QuickLock system works great; I have a bag that uses it. Hopefully this succeeds, so Topeak releases more QuickLock-compatible stuff and also brings costs down.

Thanks for the reminder. It was such a whirlwind trying to get everything in BikeIndex and Garage529 and talking to the police that I forgot to put the details here.

For the Cannondale Synapse SE 105 Disc 2019 it is unfortunately a 2 month old bike so it doesn't have too much to distinguish it from a stock new bike. The only modifications that I did were reversible accessory additions like

• Shimano SPD PD-ED500 pedals
  
• gopro handlebar mount with the Cycliq Fly12 CE twist mount
  
• 2x black bottle holders
  
• Topeak Explorer Rack Without Spring with a Cycliq Fly6 camera mount attached
  
• cell phone holder on the stem
  
• Upstand bike stand
  
  The bike rack looks a little out of place compared to the rest of it as it is actually a little beat up from wear on a previous bike. It also sports a Cambridge Bicycle store sticker. Serial number MD21685
  
  For the Marin Fairfax SC4 Belt 2018 it is a little easier. It has a bike room sticker for EF Education first. It also has the same Topeak bike rack which is beat up from a car accident. The left rear side of the rack is bent in slightly. It also has one of the water bottle holders and has the normal Cycliq Fly12CE camera mount directly attached. The belt drive is also fairly unusual so I am hoping it stands out more. It also has a sticker for Farina's in Watertown and the serial number appears to be 041716870 MRN-111-01-190.

After consulting with this subreddit I went with a topeak rear rack and a wald wire basket. I secured the basket to the rack with four Nite Ize gear ties and it feels really secure.

I was looking for a cheaper option than buying all of the matching baskets and panniers that go with the topeak rear rack. I have a limited budget to spend on new bike gear each paycheck, so i'm slowly buying new items.

Today was the first ride without my backpack on my back. It was definitely an interesting feeling. I felt super light, but the back of the bike was weighed down.

Any comments or suggestions?

That's definitely a steal. Have heard good things about these Tubus racks.

However, anyone have experience with an Ibera PakRak:

http://www.amazon.com/Ibera-Bicycle-Touring-IB-RA4-Frame-mounted/dp/B002T5H8MW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1458744660&sr=8-4&keywords=tubus+rack

Looks like a good deal. I'm looking for a rear rack that can accept panniers.

Right now, I have this Topeak Explorer rack on my Schwinn Varsity:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIE3WI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01

My bike is a commuter but I am planning on taking it on some short weekend / week-long tours this summer, hopefully going for a month long tour at the tail end of summer.

Thanks for any insight, everyone! Cheers!

Shaving 20 minutes off that time should be no problem, you only need to average 4 more miles and hour. Stick with it. I started commuting to work 6 miles each way about 3 weeks ago and it's awesome. Here's some stuff that'll make your ride more pleasant, if your bike doesn't already have these:

• $28 for a rack.
  
• $25 for panniers to go on the rack.
  
• Fenders to keep you drier
  
  Also, I'll vouch that cycling is possible in any weather, if you dress for it. I've gone mountain biking in December in Denver, and not just once.
  
  
  Also also - don't think of it as taking 20 more minutes, think of it as an hour workout that only takes you 20 minutes :)

Just be careful and dont get a beach cruiser!!!!! id recommend a hybrid bike like a trek 7.1 and put a rack on it for panniers so you can carry your stuff. Also if you are over weight i highly recommend a brooks saddle i have a b17 and its wonderful on my ass. Also bike shorts 4.3 miles aint long, but it will make your life much easier. A cheap walmart bike will break often and be expensive to repair. Refer over to r/bicycling to learn more if you are strapped for cash id go with this bike its a good all rounder and bikesdirect is a good company, or a trek and the seat brooks b17 bike rack panniers shorts
Once again do not buy a bike from walmart it will make you hate bicycling. Oh also rules and sheldon brown a repository of all things cycling
Best of luck to you, safe riding and Dont buy this!!

I use a Topeak rack with bag setup.

Yeah a good rack and panniers will go a long way. I picked one of these up on sale for $20 bucks, and matched it with one of the MTX bags. Super convenient for commuting, since you barely notice the weight when it's over your back wheel.

That's a bike rack, not a seat. Here's the amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346624054&sr=8-3&keywords=bike+rack

Also my favorite upgrade was the rear rack. I stopped having the back sweat patch from backpacks.

Explorer Rack Without Spring, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_16VXCbPYK7JYQ

Most/any rack will likely be fine. I have a Topeak explorer tubular rack, it wasn't very costly and has held up well for the last four years or so I've been using it on my daily commutes.

I recently bought a Giant Escape 2 for commuting from Arlington to Downtown DC and it works great, I got the bike and lock for less than $500. If you want to look at bikes, Papillion Bicycles is the local Giant dealer and Spokes etc. is one of the local Trek and Specialized dealers. You can go and ride the bikes and see what you like, but at that price point almost all the hybrid bikes are the same.

After that I got a Topeak rear rack with this Trunk Bag and it works great, fits my computer, clothes and even lunch. It has side panniers that fold out. I would recommend that you get some cygolite front and rear lights from amazon as well.

If you're serious about commuting, something along these lines is your best bet.

[Here is my setup] (http://imgur.com/gallery/IBw0q)

Edit: Word

I did backpack for a while too, and got this rack and a cheap pannier and have never looked back.

I have upgraded my pannier to something really nice, but not in scope for a commuter. 40 litre seems quite big for commuting. Might want to consider leaving the shoes at work, and the ULock, and perhaps bring in closes for several days, to cut down on weight and volume.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Explorer-Rack-Without-Spring-Black/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=asc_df_B000FIE3WI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312070810048&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10069077748661583872&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029706&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-381714914542&psc=1

On my large size Giant Escape 3, I have a Topeak Explorer MTX: http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI
I didn't shop around much, though, that's just what the LBS had in stock.

I did the install myself and it was pretty straightforward. The only tricky part was that you have to bend the front rails of the rack down to meet up with the seatstay mounting bolts, and make sure the rails give clearance for the "noodle" part of the rear brake.

I used to have this problem but then I put one of these on my bike.

I got this rack off of amazon, and used some old panniers that my dad had.

As for fenders, just go to your LBS and they will set you up. I honestly don't know what kind of fenders that I have, but hey, they work.

My commute is pretty short, a little over 2 miles each way, and I have never had any issues with it.

Depending on what you're travelling with, you could look into a bike rack and detachable bag.

I use this rack and this bag.

Rack is Topeak Explorer and the bike has eyelets for the rack to mount on

I commute daily with a Topeak Rack + Trunk Bag. I fit my clothes, lunch, and 15" Macbook. Trunk bag slides off and has shoulder strap to carry it around.

$120 for both is well worth it. Skip the beers for a couple weekends and get one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIE3WI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FIE3WI&linkCode=as2&tag=dealstoponlin-20&linkId=2JAH4AZ7ZJYSADXV

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZKES0S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000ZKES0S&linkCode=as2&tag=dealstoponlin-20&linkId=E5J7UOMYPKLW7FO6

I have this Topeak rack on my commuter bike: http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI

I particularly like this Topeak trunk bag that you can easily slide on and off the rack:
http://www.amazon.com/MTX-Trunk-rigid-molded-panels/dp/B000ZKHN50

Explorer Rack Without Spring, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIE3WI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

That’s the rack that you have to order separately

Are these seat post racks sturdy? http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Mega-Post-Haste-Bicycle/dp/B000ACAMF6/ref=pd_sbs_sg_6 or am I better off going with something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-63107030-Explorer-Bike-Rack/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=pd_sbs_sg_4

what should you know about saddle bags? Buy a topeak MTX quicktrack rack and the expandable EXP bag This system is too amazing to describe. Small bag for short trips, unfolds into full pannier setup. Securely fastening it to your bike in under 10 seconds is a dream compared to conventional veclro/bungee systems. Both of these together will be over your $80 budget for your helmet/lock/bag but it's well worth it. I'll never use another bag/rack again. The rack is also lighter than the cheaper rack I was using before.

There's a couple of options to mount the rear rack clamps that clamp on to the seat stays Portland Design Works Payload and Loading Dock Rack Hardware Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A91JIJE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_M2HjzbYR6HWSQ
Or a seat post adapter Sunlite Bicycle Rack Seat Clamp, 34.9mm, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014GI9RK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_s9HjzbFRCPMTC

As far as which one to buy there's a bunch of decent ones in that range I've used this one on a bike for years with one problem Topeak Explorer Bike Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIE3WI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9-HjzbZFWZTYE

Axiom also makes done good ones in that price range.

I've got the Topeak MTX Explorer - Note if you have disc brakes get this one instead

and Topeak MTX EXP with zip down panniers

The bag slides into the track on top of the rack and snaps in place. Panniers fold up into the sides of the bag when not in use. Total cost for both, about $130.

On my old steel touring bike that came with racks I use Swiss army bread bags as panniers. They look nice, and are cheap!

They're super common, and shouldn't be a big deal to find. If you do have trouble, there's always amazon.

Yeah sorry I forgot about your no brazon / p-clamp requirement.

They have a lot of options. I chose the Explorer rack which was much lighter than my other two rear racks.

I am considering buying one of their Beamracks for my road bike without the side frame add-on so I can use my bag for weekend rides as well.

Some other things I considered were not as functional, were more expensive, but looked much better. They don't exactly match your requirements, but maybe they'll give you some ideas.

• Carradice Camper with the Bagman Expedition Support which meets your requirements, except for price.
  
• Sackville Saddlesacks
  
• Minnehaha Saddle Bag
  
  The one I had before the Topeak one was a Racktime Wall-it with a Snapit rack. I really like it, but I just needed to carry more stuff. The Snapit system is nice and works with the Ortlieb trunk bag as well. I got it really cheap on Sierra Trading post. You can even buy the Snapit adapter by itself to make the system work with any bag you like.
  
  Hope you find something that works well for you.