check out that rack!

grrr · check out that rack!

Anyone using/used a topeak beam rack?
http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/racks/rxbeamrack.php

I'm thinking it will work for my commute to take laptop and spare clothes in a couple of panniers, but allow me to have a sleeker looking bike at weekends as it should be easy to remove.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of one.

sheeponabike

Looks good, but what are the 2 bits of bent wire welded to the bottom of the framework? Looks as if they're supposed to rest on something - but what? Shocked

grrr

I think they are just to enable attachment to panniers rather than to the bike, but am going to take my bike to the shop and have a try.

Panniers are expensive, mind. Thinking of only getting one, but might end up riding in circles!

CapeRoadie

Generally do not like Topeak products engineering. Pretty mindless if you ask me, with lots of plastic clips that break and oversized wasted space. I'd keep looking.

berck

I've used something like this, but I don't think it was a Topeak product. It worked well, but it had a lot more flex than I expected. I was able to attach panniers without issues, but my version didn't have the nice hooks at the bottom to keep the pannier hooks from sliding up. I had to create stops.

So, its not quite as stable as a regular rack, but it will work.

sheeponabike

chasm

Coincidentally, one of the guys at work came in with one of these this morning. It's a clever bit of kit but it won't take much weight. They claim it is safe up to 7kg, but I'd be inclined to treat that figure with caution.

I commute on a tourer with panniers, carrying a laptop with peripherals as well as clothes etc etc. One of these would definitely not be robust enough. If you too are a laptop carrier I think you need a regular rack.

mayofan

ah thats false advertisement right there

berck

Mine was a Blackburn model. Doesn't look like the make it anymore.

grrr

Thanks all. On the whole it looks like I need a 'real' rack after all!

chasm