Tubus Racks. A Review.

I think it is easy enough to search around for bike racks if you know their names, so we’re just going to introduce a large variety of models, their prices, quality, and load capacity. We’re also only going to look at the strongest and best designed (for touring) models each manufacturer offers. If you have reason to differ in opinion, feel free to let me know via comment. Choose your racks by yourself based on your own research or by our mini bike rating.

Tubus

Logo Rear Rack:

Width ? / Length ? (We’re working on this)

Weight: 25.7 ounces

Capacity: 40kgs or 88 pounds

Strength: Cro-Moly Steel

Est. Price: $120.00

Tubus Logo Rear Rack

10 year warranty.

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Tubus Tara Front Rack:

Weight: 470 grams or 17 ounces

Capacity: 15kg or 35 pounds

Strength: Cro-Moly Steel

Est. Price: $90.00

Tubus Tara Front Rack

Tubus racks are very well-known and respected in the bike touring community.  The two racks in this post are the most popular models made my Tubus.  The Tubus models are a little more expensive than the Jandd models we reviewed last week, but as you can see in the stat sheets, the weight of the Tubus racks in much less than the Jandd racks, and the carrying capacity is much higher.  You get what you pay for.  You will not be disappointed by these racks.  The front rack is famous for its ability to get the load low and help you maintain balance on your bike.

Eurasian Cycling Trek for World Hunger 09′

Bicycle Touring Racks. Jandd Racks.

I think it is easy enough to search around for bike racks if you know their names, so we’re just going to introduce a large variety of models, their prices, quality, and load capacity.  We’re also only going to look at the strongest and best designed (for touring) models each manufacturer offers.  If you have reason to differ in opinion, feel free to let me know via comment.  Choose your racks by yourself based on your own research or by our mini bike rating.

Cycling at REI

(In alphabetical order)

Jandd

Extreme Front Rack:

Width 15cm / Length 34cm

Weight: 37 ounces

Capacity:  25 pounds

Strength: 3/8 inch aluminum

Est. Price: $70.00

Jandd Extreme Front Rack

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Expedition Rear Rack:

Width 15cm / Length 41cm

Weight: 36 ounces

Capacity:  50 pounds

Strength: 3/8 inch aluminum

Est. Price: $75.00

Jandd Expedition Rack

As far as ratings and issues with the Jandd racks, I have not experienced or come across much in the form of problems with these racks.  I would say overall, this rack gets highly favorable ratings around the cycling community.  I think there have been a very normal amount of problems with mounting the front rack, and issue solved by an email I saw posted on the bulletin board from Jandd themselves:

“Our racks fit a majority of bikes, however there is not a standardized
distance for fork eyelets so we do run into this problem occasionally.
Since our racks are constructed of solid rod and not tubing, you can
manipulate it if necessary. The lower arms that attach to the lower eyelets
can be bent up to shorten the distance between the rack eyelets and the
above slots. Before you bend the arms, we recommend heating up the rack a
bit. Simply leaving it in the sunlight will do the trick. Next secure the
lower part of the rack as to not put too much stress on the weld when you go
to bend the arm. Finally, bend it up to achieve the desired distance. If
you have any other questions, let me know.”

My Surly long haul trucker, post 2.

Day Two:  10KM.  I got my Surly equipped with some clipless Shimano pedals today and picked up my shoes.  I got cleats put in them and also had my shop put an odometer (speed computer).  Had a bit of rain yesterday to put the fenders to test, but other than that I got about 10km in.  Had a ride down the cheongyecheon and was averaging about 35km/h with a head wind.  Not too bad, but I had nothing loading on my racks.  I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at the clipless pedals, this is my first time riding on something other than platforms, and my pedal power has increased immensely.  Pedaling un-attached I averaged about 28km/h, clipped in I was at 35.

Have a look at the Surly Long Haul Trucker’s numerous brazeons for connecting my racks and fenders.  Four used and 2 more leftover!

The front fork of my LHT

My Surly Long Haul Trucker

I’m happy to announce that my Surly Long Haul Trucker has finally arrived from home.  If you don’t know already, I have been living in Seoul, South Korea for the last three years.  It is quite difficult to get touring bikes here as the population is generally obsessed with mountain biking.   Nonetheless, I got my Surly LHT here and am going to put up some posts here to keep you all up to date.

My model is a 58cm olive frame.  I got the bike completely packaged by Surly with a couple of upgrades (the crankset) and some accessories.  If you don’t yet know about Surly, click here to head over to their website, and then go check out the review here on this blog.  Here is a look at the stock bike…

Blue Surly long haul trucker

And now here’s the first look at my 58cm olive Surly Long Haul Trucker…not gonna see the whole bike until I cover all the parts first.

My Surly Long Haul Trucker

Day One:  5KM.  Used the Surly today to/from work to get a feel for it.  Though I don’t have clipless shoes yet, I had to get a ride in.  First impressions are great.  Super smooth ride, took bumps and holes with ease.  Saddle is comfortable thus far and the 58cm seems to fit me perfectly.  I am almost 6 feet tall and am happy with the adjustable seat post.  Also was surprised by the weight of the bike.  I was under the impression that this was gonna be a load of a bike, but it is actually lighter than my last mountain bike I had.  No problem carrying it up 5 flights of stairs.  More to come tomorrow…