Help me prevent "super high rack" syndrome

[bicycletricycle]

A lot of bikes have moved their rack mount points higher. This has pushed racks really high up in the air which is less than ideal. My friend has a specialized sequoia and I am trying to find a rear rack that will fit well on it. I have been looking around but it is hard, racks don't have a lot of specs. You guys have any ideas?

thanks for the help

this is his bike-
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50210854598_d04d297f30_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2juXKKC)Screen Shot 2020-08-10 at 3.02.01 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2juXKKC) by bicycletricycle666 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24583601@N08/), on Flickr

this is what i am trying to avoid-
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50211650492_095725a23f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jv2QkW)Screen Shot 2020-08-10 at 12.56.15 PM (https://flic.kr/p/2jv2QkW) by bicycletricycle666 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/24583601@N08/), on Flickr

[AngryScientist]

if i remember right, you're pretty well equipped in the machine shop situation right?

i have definitely modified stock cheapish racks with the mig cannon to get the strut length right. that might be the best idea if you have the capabilities.

[bicycletricycle]

limited access right now.

if i remember right, you're pretty well equipped in the machine shop situation right?

i have definitely modified stock cheapish racks with the mig cannon to get the strut length right. that might be the best idea if you have the capabilities.

[Ken Robb]

My Nitto racks came with struts of various lengths to facilitate mounting on different bikes. I also have two racks that clamp to the seat post. One came with an integral (but removable) semi-rigid bag and the other one can support a variety of bags and boxes. I suppose 15 pound might be as much weight as would be prudent.

[donevwil]

My one data point is that Tubus racks fail in this new-fangled TA dropout scenario, I have not yet found a quality solution.

[Peter P.]

Lower racks definitely handle better due to a lower center of gravity. I speak from experience.

But racks are built for one-size-fits-all wheel diameters.

Somebody used to sell a rack with threaded dropout struts to adjust the rack height, but I can't recall who made it.

I think you've either gotta fab it yourself or have a custom rack made.

[Toddtwenty2]

Agreed that those really high racks are obnoxious looking and will undoubtedly ride poorly.

Fitz makes a really nice rack at a fair price point. I couldn't be happier with the one he made for me:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=226140&page=2

[RudAwkning]

Tumbleweed's mini pannier rack is 355mm from eyelet to platform. I just bought one of these. It's a tad on the heavy side for the size. Weighs nearly as much as my Tubus Logo.

The Tubus Fly and Airy are also 355mm.

[charliedid]

You only need 320mm for an Alternator from Salsa. Works...

https://www.rei.com/product/153271/salsa-alternator-plus-rack?CAWELAID=120217890006564786&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15877513840&CATCI=pla-894666749664&cm_mmc=PLA_Google&product_id=1532710001&ad_type=pla&channel=online&partition_id=894666749664&target_id=pla-894666749664&brand_flag=&adgroup_id=15877513840&campaign_id=183267160&location_physical=9021565&cid=53280763000&network=g&network_type=search&device_type=c&merchant_id=1209243&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_6fQvoqS6wIVC77ACh2DxgLCEAQYAiAB EgKu5_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[charliedid]

Or these have seemed interesting and adjustable

https://www.backcountry.com/blackburn-outpost-rear-world-touring-rack?CMP_SKU=BLB001J&MER=0406&skid=BLB001J-PEW-ONESIZ&mr:trackingCode=7CE4A862-2D58-E611-80F6-005056944E17&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&iv_=__iv_p_1_g_42227304452_c_161003831971_w_pla-659327415317_n_g_d_c_v__l__t__r__x_pla_y_7811_f_on line_o_BLB001J-PEW-ONESIZ_z_US_i_en_j_659327415317_s__e__h_9021565_ii __vi__&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=_k_EAIaIQobChMIsM7IvIuS6wIVE5JbCh0Yxwp2E AQYAiABEgI-FPD_BwE_k_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsM7IvIuS6wIVE5JbCh0Yxwp2EAQYAiAB EgI-FPD_BwE

[BobbyJones]

The old Blackburn MTN racks came in different sizes based on frame size. This may or may not help you out if you don’t need expedition level durability.

[Black Dog]

https://www.filzer.com/products/pr-4-pannier-rack/#details

This works. Adjustable Hight.

[CMiller]

I like the Nitto Racks with adjustable struts - easy to replace if you switch bikes too.

[cabriggs]

Are you sure it's not that specific rack? It's hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that even if the rack mount point was just above the axle, the rack would still seem a little high. Also, given that the rack is rear of center by 2-3" (guessing) it contributes to the poor appearance (maybe only a little, but it increases the space you see between the tire and rack, making it look worse).

I have a Spesh Diverge with 700x35c tires and a Topeak Explorer rack. The rack mount point is 25mm above the axle and I just measured and found ~30mm from the tire to the underside of the rack. Visually, it looks fine. I'm really curious to know the length of the stays on that rack, and also the height (from the axle) of the mount point on the Sequoia.

[C40_guy]

Sheesh.

I thought this thread was going to be about sports bras. :)

[bicycletricycle]

thanks for all the suggestions. A local shop had a tubus evo in the 26" size which I am going to try out. the measurement on the sequoia from mount to top of tire is 320 millimeters. The rack is 360 millimeters. We will see how it goes.