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Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Eugene, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | It works! I got it on closeout with the bag that slides into it for $50 2 years ago. Does exactly what it's supposed to. | | Weaknesses: | I use it on a cross bike. Read: short exposed seat post. So, it rides a little high on this bike. Not a problem on my compact frame mtn. bike. That high on the bike, and your center of gravity is a little wacky for a while, and the big-ass clamp rubs your legs until you get used to it... Lose the quick release. | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn frame-mounted | | Bike Setup: | Redline Cross bike with big tires (38's) fenders, lights, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Replace the quick release right away with a bolt and a washer, and crank it down.
1. It's going to slow someone down from taking it. Commuters can't use quick release anything unless you want to carry it everywhere.
2. My rack does not move a fraction of an inch under daily use, 8 miles a day, five days a week, packed to at least 20 pounds.
No more sweaty back from a backpack when I get to work! (If only my laptop fit in the thing!) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KEITH SPANGLER
a
from MECHANICSBURG
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | BRANDE.COM | | Strengths: | LOOKS GOOD / MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR TRUNK BAG IS SMARTLY DESIGNED FOR EASY ON AND OFF / LOOK STURDY | | Weaknesses: | RACK DRIFTS OFF CENTER DURING RIDING / QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM DOESN'T ALLOW FOR SECURE MOUNTING OF THE RACK TO THE SEAT POST WITH SHIMS. | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | MOSER M76 | | Bottom Line: | WOULD RECOMMEND IF I CAN GET THE DRIFTING TO STOP WITH RUBBER SHIMS - WE'LL SEE. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noel
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Strengths: | Quick to install/remove. Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Can sway when under load. | | Bike Setup: | Mtb with road slicks | | Bottom Line: | The rack intially swayed under load despite using the supplied shims (crap0, Eventually cut up an old tyre tube and used that. I have since had no movement despite the load I place on it (to it's maximum) and the maniacal riding I do through the city streets. Obviously this is not a rack for off road; buy one which attaches to more than just the seat post for that purpose. Otherwise, it's a good rack for when you want a rack for small things or for commuting with a light load and it's convenient in that it can be removed easily enough. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | $50 Can ebay | | Strengths: | Ease of use; light but surprisingly strong. | | Bottom Line: | Just completed a ten day crossing of France's "Massif Central" with this rack on the back of my hardtail.
Initially the quick release would allow the rack to sway one way or the other (especially on fast,rocky/technical sections). The easy fix was adding a rubber shim (inner tube), between the seatpost and QR clamp.
Gave it a good beating and was very impressed with the overall sturdiness and strength of the set-up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a
from Cambridge
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Simple, clean lines, except for jagged edge where it sheared in two. Makes interesting conversation piece (or more specifically, conversation PIECES.) | | Weaknesses: | Weakness is right! It broke in normal usage. Customer service was non-existent. | | Bottom Line: | This rack failed from metal fatigue, breaking close to the clamp which holds the rack to the seatpost. I guess it couldn't take the cantilever loading of 5 pounds on my occasional commute along two miles of smooth roads. I would anticipate I put less than 300 miles on that rack.
I emailed Topeak twice to see if they would address this failure. They did not respond, which has caused me to stop buying their products.
I can not recommend this product, but if you insist on buying it, you should only plan to carry a load occasionally, not daily. This is not a rack for commuters.
Also: if you must buy this product, don't mail-order it. It'll be a lot easier to get a refund/credit from your local bike shop than from a mail order house when it breaks. (Don't even bother contacting Topeak for a refund.)
To be fair, all seatpost-mounted racks will probably suffer from this type of fatigue. However, they could have designed it with more beef where it counts. Maybe I got an earlier version and the new ones are better. I wouldn't know because Topeak never responded (or did I mention that already?) >=| | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Earth
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | No eyelets? No problem! | | Weaknesses: | Rotates | | Bike Setup: | Yeti A.R.C. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this thing four years ago and gave up on using it. Like so many previous reviews, this sucker sways back and forth no matter how hard you tighten it. For that reason alone, I can't recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Catalog | | Strengths: | Sturdy and dependable (see below) | | Weaknesses: | Shim problem (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race | | Bottom Line: | This rack works great for daily bike commuting, which is grueling duty cuz the miles really add up. When I first got this thing, it broke in half within a couple of months. Topeak replaced it with no problem, and sent a redesigned model that was obviously much stronger. The replacement has lasted a year and a half. I cut up a rubber jar opener (you know, the rubber disk you buy at the supermarket) for shim material, and that works fine. I don't have any accessories, I put my clothes, towel, keys, tube/pump/multi-tool, cell phone, lunch, books sometimes and whatever else in a small duffel and strap it on with two bungies. That gives you an idea of the weight, maybe 10-12 lbs. It's great, if you need it, get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ohio
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$43.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Easy to take on and off, fairly large, sturdy build, matching bag system | | Weaknesses: | easy to steal if it is not locked to the bike | | Similar Products Used: | bell seat post rack | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback Topanga | | Bottom Line: | This rack is very nice. I have the new MTX version. This one is the biggest QR rack they make. I think I figured out how to solve the shim/rotation problem. I cut the shim a little off center and Krazy glued the pieces onto the inside of the clamp. It works great.
I was dissapointed that Topeak is not making the baskets for the new racks. My intention was to get the basket to carry my briefcase in around campus because I thought tossing it into a basket and throwing the bungee net (that Delta makes) over it would be a lot faster than securing the bag directly to the rack. However, I went to the container store and found a basket that will fit my briefcase better anyway. I am hoping that topeak would be willing to send the piece that slides into the rack (though they probably won't), but for now the basket is easily secured to the QR rack with some velcro straps.
Overall, a very nice rack, and not too awful of an expense. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Middleburg, VA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycles | | Strengths: | Easy on, easy off. Lightweight. I don't have the Topeak bag to fit onto it, but it seems like it's a good feature if I did. Can be used on a dual-suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Can't hold as much weight as conventional bike racks. rubber bungee that is provided is virtually useless. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant Warp DS 3, yellow. Stock. | | Bottom Line: | It is a decent rack. I like the ability to quickly install and remove it with the quick release lever. Like I stated above, I don't have the correct bag to go with it, but it hold other bags well enough--just provide your own bungee cord or strap, because the one provided is useless (unless I'm just too dumb to figure out how it works). I haven't had any trouble with keeping the rack in place as others have according to their reviews. I don't understand their complaint about a pump holder either, as there are two bolts underneath to attach a water bottle cage or pump holder that comes with your pump. Anyway, a good rack, and not too expensive if I remember. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary White
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Springs Trail, Marin, Ca | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Surgery, London | | Strengths: | Very well made, good vfm, light, looks good, bungees and platform area just right, can use on my hardtail or full suspension bike. easy to fit | | Weaknesses: | Not designed for Kona seat posts, which are 27.0mm. Using the shims supplied, it was impossible to get the mounting tight enough without over-stressing the bolts, hence to rack swings away from its centre position. I had to experiment with improvised shims (e.g. cut-offs from old inner tubes!) | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kilauea, Marzocchi X-Fly 100 forks, Easton EA 50 stem, bars and seat post, Specialiazed BG saddle, XT shifters and mechs, XTR rim brakes and levers, XTR hubs with Mavic rims, Race Face Prodigy XC crankset, Sachs PC69 chain, XT cassette, old LX SPD pedals, Specialiazed Mt.Baldy tires | | Bottom Line: | (I have the non-QR version - two allen key bolts on a locking collar). A good idea but they need to sort out the locking collar and shim business - it's a struggle to set up on narrow seat posts. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | nice looking design, light-weight, able to remove with little hassle, rubber bungee works great to hold down u-lock | | Weaknesses: | swayed on seatpost, even with rubber shims supplied. a little bouncy over the curbs when weighted out. | | Similar Products Used: | blackburn mtn rack | | Bike Setup: | Marin Hawk Hill with cable disc brakes, used primarily for commute to work, then weekend warrior action. | | Bottom Line: | My problem is that a conventional rack won't attach to my bike due to the cable disc brakes are in the way.
The best shim I've used is a sheet of rubber gasket material from the auto parts store. I'm anxious to get the quick release bag with the fold-out panniers (really nice!), but need to make sure the rack stays put so the pannier frames stay out of the spokes. I'll might consider getting the Topeak QR Basket.
Topeak would do well making a bolt-on version with a smaller post hole. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Goodger
a
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | New Zealand | | Strengths: | Combines with Topeak back for easy attachment | | Weaknesses: | Does not hold onto seatpost securely. Limits wedge bag that can be attached | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak fixed rack | | Bottom Line: | I liked the easy locking of the Topeak bag and rack as I use it for commuting every day, however the rack would not stay straight on the seatpost. It annoyed me so much, I gave up and bought a fixed rack instead. It also was very close to the seat and limited what wedge bag I could have under the seat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Knut
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike store | | Strengths: | kind of lightweight for such a thing, stiff(but only in itself) | | Weaknesses: | rotates on the seatpost, allows only 12kg(though enough for short trips), ruins the suspension bearings | | Similar Products Used: | 30 NZ$ dollar taiwan rack...but on a hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | RockyMountain Element, Kalloy(it says Ritchey on it)
seatpost: heavy but durable. | | Bottom Line: | I used the thing for two 2-3day trips. First time I had only my sleeping bag on it, 2kg weight are ok with the thing, slight roations though. Second trip: 12kg(sb, tent,sidebags). Held the weight quite well, but it got loose every hour( plastic distance plates around the seatpost were shrinking)and it rotates while riding corners, standing up, leaning the bike on a wall... .
the trip also included root tracks and that was the end for my bearings, kind of. 12kg roating on your seatpost have a real bad effect on your riding and your frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Manhattan and surrounds | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar or performance (cant remember which) | | Strengths: | Works fine for light loads. Doubles as a fender. Gets the job done (well my job anyway) | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Included bungees don't work. I wouldn't use it off-road and I wouldn't depend on it to carry heavy (10 lbs plus) loads. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Klein hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I bike commute and bought the rack to get some weight out of my backpack and onto the bike. Since I bike through the Bronx and lock up outside, I use a U-lock plus a heavy cable. Now I put my locks, pump and tools in a small duffel bag and strap it to the rack with a couple of heavy bungees.(sold separately, the included ones were not up to the job). The rack stays put and this arrangement works fine. It makes some noise on curbs and potholes. If you have a fat seatpost and a specific problem to solve, maybe this rack can help you. I wouldn't take it off road, or trust it with more than ten pounds or so, or use it with a thin post. As a bonus, I think it looks much cooler than the normal rack with the little legs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVE
a Cross Country Rider
from LAS VEGAS
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | BIKE WORLD | | Strengths: | LOOKS NICE | | Weaknesses: | THIS RACK WILL NOT HOLD TO SEAT POST. KEEPS ROTATING | | Similar Products Used: | BOUGHT A TREK RACK AND IT WORKS GREAT. | | Bike Setup: | CANNONDALE SUPER V100 | | Bottom Line: | THIS RACK IS A NICE LOOKING PIECE OF JUNK. SAVE YOUR MONEY | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yas Katagiri
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN 55414
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop - Freewheel | | Strengths: | Very convenient if you use it with the Topeak Trunk Bag. Easy to remove and attach. | | Weaknesses: | If you want to use paniers with the trunk bag...forget it! Even with the optional side support, the clips for the paniers that attaches to the side of the rack get in the way of the Clip-On Topeak Trunk Bag. You can't use both at the same time which makes it pretty much useless!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn, | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Aquila | | Bottom Line: | I commute to work so I got the rack because of the convenient Trunk Bag feature. Never had a problem with it sliding around.
However, I did not realize until later that the paniers got in the way of the Clip on trunk bag. VERY frustrating. Then I discovered a stationary rack made by Topeak w/the same slide-on feature of the Quick Release. I figured that had to work w/paniers and trunk bag...WRONG!!! Same problem. This is a MAJOR design flaw since the clip-on trunk is a strong selling point for this product. I ended up having to use the stationary rack for the paniers and have the Quick Release rack set up so that it is above the stationary rack for the Clip on Trunk! Very annoying and extra weight. Topeak really needs to redesign it ASAP! I'm only giving it one flaming cat turd because of this design flaw and because I had to buy two racks to use my $150+ paniers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere there's dirt and trees | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Nasbar | | Strengths: | Easy to take off and put on with QR. Lightweight. Good rack for commuting to work. | | Weaknesses: | Could be another 3-4 inches longer | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6700 converted during the week for commuting | | Bottom Line: | I commute back and forth from work and the rack has worked well with the Topeak bag designed for it. The rack did tend to slide back and forth but I cut a couple of pieces of an old tube and put it between the seatpost and the rack and that seemed to do the trick. The rack could extend a little further out and would be nice if it incorporated a pump holder but used some velcro straps for the pump and all is well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
elefino
a Weekend Warrior
from Alpharetta
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | A snap to put on and take off - looks great - well thought out - seems pretty strong - relatively lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Clamp requires rubber shims for 27.2mm seatpost - rubber tie-down included isn't as good as regular bungees | | Similar Products Used: | Standard-mount racks | | Bike Setup: | IBEX Trophy 850 & IBEX Corrida | | Bottom Line: | I love this rack! I've loaded it pretty heavily and have not had the problems mentioned by a couple of other reviewers - maybe Topeak got it straightened out.
At first I was a little put-off that I had to use 2 layers of rubber shims for 27.2mm seatpost. As one other reviewer mentioned, the shims (just a flat piece of rubber that you wrap around the S/P before installing the rack) can fall away and are hard to keep in place while you get the rack mounted. I tried taping the shims on the seatpost, but I wanted to switch the rack between 2 bikes and it looked terrible when the rack wasn't on the bike. So, I figured out the trick. I cut the shims in half and glued one half into each half of the clamp (in my case double layered). Now I can switch the rack between bikes at will, I don't have to worry with loosing the rubber pads and I can yank the rack off when I park the bike much more quickly.
I have not had problems with the thing swinging around, but you have to crank the QR down really tight. The weight of the rack extending back tends to make the QR feel like it's tight when it's not - so supporting the rack a little while clamping helps a lot.
I'm giving it 5 flamin' chilis because, even with a few shortcomings, it's the best rack I've ever used.
They have a version (not mine) out with a trap-door on the back so you can pack the main support tube with small stuff like tire levers and such. This is a great idea, but I'd like to see Topeak take it a step further. Since they're big in pumps, why not design a QR Beam rack with a fitted pump that slides inside the tube? Better yet, how about making the tube an air tank that can be filled with compressed air and include a filler hose for your tires.
Anyway, I think it's great rack and I just ordered a Topeak bag that has a slide-on integrated mounting system for this rack - sounds like just the ticket. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl
a
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | High Gear Cyclery | | Strengths: | Easy to take on and off bike.. Seems like a good idea BUT... It broke.. TWICE! | | Weaknesses: | Beam rack cracks and breaks under load much less than the supposed 20lb. capacity | | Similar Products Used: | after 2 failures of the Topeak QR rack.. I am now trying another seatpost rack by Delta | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7200fx | | Bottom Line: | I used this rack mostly commuting (2-3 days a week) for just over a year (2000 miles on bike). After discovering a crack (near weld) I returned the product and got a new one. The second one completely broke off while carrying (under 10lbs) a Jansport backpack loaded with a 1500ml bottle of wine wrapped in a tee shirt (the bottle survived!). I returned the 2nd Topeak rack, and have replaced it with a Delta seatpost rack. Hope that the Delta will be better quality! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere in SE Oregon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Gallery | | Strengths: | Quick release. Weighs less than 1 lb. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't stay secure on smaller seatposts. Too short to hold most rack trunks. Doesn't project out far enough to for rack trunk to clear seat above. | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn frame-mount racks | | Bike Setup: | 1992 Fuji Sundance rigid 21sp MTB, 2001 Bianchi Volpe touring bike | | Bottom Line: | Looking for an alternative to backpacks or panniers for carrying moderate (5-10 lb) loads on commutes and weekend rides. This isn't it. Despite cranking down the QR as tight as possible, this thing sways to the side and won't stay centered. And while this is happening the shim supplied to fit smaller seatposts (both of mine are 26.8mm) works itself loose from between the rack and the seatpost. I had to stop and fix it halfway home from work, and even though I was riding conservatively it almost worked itself completely out in 5 miles. Once that thing falls off you're toast. This rack can't even handle my moderate commute, so I can't imagine how it could handle even light off-road work. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.
Next, the flat section is 1-2" too short to properly hold most rack trunks. It took some real jerry-rigging to get my Trek trunk to fit. I guess they want to limit you to their $65 unit (whose design I don't particularly like) that's designed to slide on.
Finally, the beam doesn't extend out far enough before the flat part begins. I can barely squeeze my smallish rack trunk between the rack and the bottom of my seat, and I have a lot of seatpost extension. If the flat part started 1-2" further back it would clear my seat and this wouldn't be a problem.
The only people who might find this product acceptable MIGHT be those with an aluminum (ick) bike with giant tubes, and therefore a big seatpost so you don't have to use the shims. You'd also better be enamored of Topeak's rack trunk because that's effectively your only usable choice.
1 mild chili for both value and overall. This is a totally unusable product. I haven't tried any other seatpost racks yet, so maybe they all have these problems, but I'll have to at least try the Blackburn. At this point I'll also consider non-QR models. Maybe they're more secure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Burnham
a Racer
from Columbus,Ohio,USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$38.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesource | | Strengths: | The Topeak QR Beam rack offers a great deal of flexiblity to the commuter in terms of the ablity to put the rack on and off. If you are going for a longer ride without the need for ther extra weight, the rack comes off easliy. The rack is fairly light and easy to use. The integrated straps work well. Overall quality is good. | | Weaknesses: | The quick release mechanism tends to not hold the seat post as firmly in the 27.2 size. The use of the provided shims is required and impedes the removal/installation of the rack, almost negating the QR function. The rach also has no place to tie painiers that decend. I fabricated a bracket so I could use painiers. Capicity for weight is also a little low. | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn bolt on rack | | Bike Setup: | Surly Cross-Check set up for road. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good rack for commuting. I wouldn't use it for cross-country bike tours but I don't think that is it's market. The quick release could use improvement but overall, it's a solid performer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Syria
a Cross Country Rider
from hi
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$46.00 | | Purchased At: | MCully cycle | | Strengths: | Q/R is ok & rack bag slides on & off
Thats way I Bought it. | | Weaknesses: | This is The 2nd rack I have used the first one crack at Q/R
on bottom At weld bead. I return the first one And received
a new one And now it has crack in the same spot.
I only pack xtra pants & socks light coat, so i know I am
not packing more 20# | | Similar Products Used: | bell rack Cheap and never cracked | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 800 raod tires | | Bottom Line: | piece of crap I would like to return it but I do not have sale slip. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmeadow, MA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Minuteman | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Family Bicycle, East Longmeadow | | Strengths: | Easy to take on and off bike. I have not had a big problem with the rack shifting. I secured a picnic basket to it with the rubber cord, and had no problems. | | Weaknesses: | I sometimes scrape the mount under the seat as I'm pedaling. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | 1982 Univega Viva Sport. 12 speed, with Topeak handlebar bag. | | Bottom Line: | I like the rack. Most of the time, I don't want a rack on my bike. But when I'm out with my family and we're biking to picnic, it's perfect. Also, there are not, humid days when I don't want to commute with my back pack on, so it fits nicely on the rack. If you are a commuter who carries a lot of material, you should probably get a permanent rack with side bags. But for occasional use, this is great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr Dove
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | topeak.com | | Strengths: | Looks good sitting in a box in my living room. | | Weaknesses: | I don't know. It would not fit on my bike. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 2001 GT Avalanche | | Bottom Line: | I had high hopes for this product when I purchased it. Their web page assures that it will fit ANY bike. When I got the rack, i found that it would fit any bike EXCEPT mine.
I have tried repeatedly to get some kind of response from topeaks customer service department, hoping that they can suggest installation options or give me an exchange. They have not returned a single one of my messages. I have sent at least 5 e-mails begging for help or a return. Not a word from them.
When I e-mailed them w/ a question about a product, they replied quickly. Now that there is a problem, they don't want anything to do with me. Is that anyway to run a company?
Bottom Line: don't purchase from topeak. They are only fair weather friends.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Chabot Park, Rockville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Hank & Frank, Lafayette, CA | | Strengths: | Very attractive design; quick-release clamp. | | Weaknesses: | Quick-release clamp. This thing will NOT stay put. It will shift to one side or another, especially when a pack is attached. Also, only the Topeak pack seems to be the only one that'll fit well. I have a Schwinn one and it fits, but the bent-up portion of the rack gets in the way. Also, it's expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | None; this was the only one that would fit my bike, which has disc brakes. It was also the highest quality one the two the shop had. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Rainier SE (stock plus this rack) | | Bottom Line: | A nice rack, but if you can use a rack with side supports, I strongly suggest it over this one. If not, you're stuck, like me. I suppose it's better than no rack at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Murfreesboro, TN
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI.Com | | Strengths: | Easily installed and removed. Works great with the matching bag. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Expensive compared to convential racks. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Hybrid | | Bottom Line: | I've been using the bag/rack combo to commute with and it's been great. The quick release feature of the bag makes it a snap to remove the bag. The rack did swing around a bit on me no matter how much it was tightned. The plastic spacers included to adjust for different seat post diameters are a very hard and smooth plastic that offer no friction to keep the rack from moving. I cut a piece of inner tube to go around the spacer between the clamp and seat post and this has completely stopped the rack from swinging. Great Product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | The products strengths are, uh, strength, versatility, bag mount is great, QR from seatpost a plus | | Weaknesses: | I wish it came with the optional pannier frames, since almost nobody carries them. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Performance racks, K-mart junk | | Bike Setup: | Rincon SE | | Bottom Line: | This rack really shines only if you also get the bag that slides on. I bought the setup only for that reason, because I use my bike as alternate transportation, and I hated strapping and unstrapping a bag onto a rack.
I also like the QR feature, so that I can take it off in a snap if I'm going for a quick ride down the trail. I just saw at REI a fixed Topeak rack, with the same bag mounting slots, but I'd rather keep the beam rack.
Unless you really crank down on the clamp, though, the rack will eventually work its way to one side. The little rubber bungee cord it came with is useless. The reflector mounting hole seems like it can strip *very* easily. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco
a
from Stony Brook, NY
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Campus Cycles (my LBS) | | Strengths: | Easy to mount and pseudo-quick release. Works great with Topeaks Deluxe trunk bag which slides right on. | | Weaknesses: | The included bungee is so-so, at best (but you don't need it with the Topeak trunk bag).
Tends to shift sideways even though it's clamped down good. This is not an issue for me since I use it to commute with on roads; however, it may be an issue to anyone doing serious mountain biking... though you probably wouldn't have a rack anyway. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: |
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$ 36.00
