Rack Me!

Velo Orange Constructeur Rack

Today's post is going to be all about "mini-racks", or maybe I should term these as "minimalist racks"? Well, take a look at the image on the left and you'll begin to understand where I am going here.

By the way, all images of racks here today are courtesy of their respective companies. I hyperlinked each caption, so you can check any of these out that you might want to. I encourage you to do so. These are all fine racks.

Okay, with that out of the way, I wanted to let you all know that this post was spurred on by my desire to bolt something like this onto one of my bicycles. I've been scheming a trip up, and over-nighter, and  I need to carry some things like a sleep system, clothes, food, and utensils that I normally do not pack. I have an Oveja Negre seat pack, and a couple Banjo Brothers packs that would be more than capable. However; I haven't really quite ever felt 100% comfortable using those types of bags. They can sway, they never really feel 100% secure to me, and they get in the way when I mount my bikes. 

So, a rack system of some sort was my idea to solve all of that. These newer "minimalist racks" seemed to be something that might work out for me. I've seen a few, and today I am going to talk about them and discuss why I haven't pulled the trigger on most, and why I will be checking out one of these that became a review opportunity. Actually, it is probably the one I'd choose anyway, but with that, let's dive in.

Velo Orange Constructeur Rack $105.00: (Image above) This is a classic, old-school minimalist rack and I really like the looks of this rack. Velo Orange is not the only purveyor of a rack like this, but theirs is probably the one I'd get. Perfect for mini-panniers or a small trunk bag. I like the silver, classic form, and simplicity here. I am still seriously considering one for my "Orange Crush", Black Mountain Cycles bike. But this isn't quite what I was looking for in terms of this trip.

Tailfin Cycling's "Carbon Rack"

Tailfin Racks Carbon and Alloy: $150.00- $350.00

 This is an unusual rack. I first saw it on Jay Petervary's Rodeo Labs bike. It was kind of funky looking, but the concept of the design is what is important. it's light, and it is strong. Good looking? Ah...... Not its strong suit, in my opinion. 

It has some nifty tricks up its sleeve like a quick release trunk bag mount and axle attachment. It comes in a few varieties, and the alloy one is more my budget. But there is no attachment system for "Anything" type cages and the proprietary bags are kind of a bummer. I have my own stuff already, I don't need to buy more. 

So, the Tailfin, while being pretty trick and lightweight, doesn't quite do it for me. I wanted something a bit more versatile and with the allowance for me to use whatever stuff I already had in terms of bags and whatnot.

The Tumbleweed "T" rack

 Tumbleweed "T" Rack: $130.00 

Okay, so here's a very well thought out rack that is super popular with bikepackers. The Tumbleweed "T" Rack is very versatile, has a great price, but is darn hard to get as it is in and out of stock, due to its popularity, mostly. 

The "T" Rack user can utilize an "Anything Cage" type cage with this rack's three bosses on its stays. It has a rear light mount, a very simple and strong design, and is front or rear mount compatible. I like that. 

However; this rack uses eyelets. Not a 'bad' thing, but it does limit the rack, say, if you have a fork with no eyelets on it. 

But otherwise this one tics all the boxes and it comes in two lengths to suit most bikes. It is made of ChroMo steel, so if it would break, you could have it brazed back together again, which you cannot really do with the other racks I am talking about today. So, if you are World Touring, this would be my choice right here.
 

Old Man Mountain Elkhorn Rack

Old Man Mountain "Elkhorn Rack" $148.00

Now we come to a rack that has everything but steel construction that the Tumbleweed rack has, and it is through-axle compatible. Plus it has more lashing slots, which may make it a bit more appealing. 

As with the Tumbleweed rack, this one has three bosses per side on the stays. It also is front or rear compatible, and it comes in Short or Long lengths for fitment to most bikes. 

OMM has fit kits for this so if your bike has not been equipped with eyelets for racks, their kits will make this rack work. It even can be mounted to suspension forks and full suspension bikes. 

The company has a great reputation for durable and reliable racks, so despite its beefy alloy construction, which wouldn't lend itself to field repairs, the expectation is that you wouldn't really have to worry about that. 

Yes, I am supposed to be getting one of these in for review, as previously mentioned, but had I not received that opportunity, I probably was going to buy one anyway. This seems to my mind to be a rack I could use in several ways, which appeals to me, and I could use it on many of my bikes, which appeals to me further. 

There you go! Four excellent 'minimalist racks' that might appeal to you. Got any others I don't have listed? Let me know about them in the comments!