The rack itself = 1.54kg including shipping box
Approx 1.3kg +- nett weight
Weight of bicycle after installing rack = 13.26kg.
Main purpose of getting a rack is so that I can mount a basket and cycle to my sister place nearby with some stuff (about 6km away).
the is the basket i wanted to mount on my rear rack
It takes about 1.5 hours to install. You need the correct tool for installation. My spanner is one size off, so I have some problem installing, but still managed to get it done. Will need to visit my friend's place to tighten the bolts.
One picture speaks thousand words.
- If your stem 1 is more 'vertical' (like right), the whole system could take more load.
- If stem 2 is more slanted (like left), the weight (whatever the rack carries) will transfer mainly to stem 2 and 3 only.
- This is due to weight acting vertically (gravity)
- But left picture is a full frame bicycle while right hand side (mine) is a foldable bicycle with smaller frame
- I would say a bigger frame is stronger than a smaller frame
- So the weight the rack can take is also relevant to the capacity the frame can provide to the rack
- Damaging the rack (bending the stem) is definitely better than damaging the whole frame.
A special 'bulge' out area for disc brake user. The purchase package includes two piece of 'bulge' stem and one 'normal flat' stem. You can change both to 'bulge' stem if your right hand side needs this extra space too.
Rear view
The two side hoop is to act as a barrier for side panniers if you go on touring.
You also need to note the length and position of stem 1 because it might protrude above the rack which causes various other problems. However, protrusion is definitely better than 'inadequate length' because you can cut the extra length off with the correct tools. The protrusion length is a function of the geometry of the whole rack system and your frame. I manage to put it just nice and have clearance to lift up the spring holder.
This is a fail example.
This rack works with frames with both A or B options. A has two holes on the side while B is one hole at the center. Mine is A so I can install directly.
If yours is B, the U plate is also included.
On another technical part, this rack is good because it has 6 degrees of freedom on one side. So, it is very flexible. (a consideration when you make purchases online because you cannot try).
- the red ones are one direction (up-down) adjustment
- the magenta ones are angle adjustment
- the green one is horizontal adjustment (into the screen)
More regarding the capacity:
Outer side
Stem to frame
Inner side
Still can fold after installing the track. And the folded is about the same as before. So I can still fit it below my desk.
I bought 3 things only. So the forwarder combined shipping for me.
They did not open up the boxes and repackage them though. Some forwarder offer to repackage (open box, fit a few items into one bigger box, and then ship one box only) - for a fee. The bigger box is the box for this rack.
The rack is well protected with foam packaging.
After opening up. The bolts and nuts given are more than what is required. can keep for spare.
I ride at night mostly, and I am a very kiasu and kiasi person. I installed reflective spoke (8 per wheel), one reasonably bright rear red light, and one 3M yellow reflective strip (with red blinking light also).
Taobao link for rack: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z09.5.0.0.c6EUJR&id=15276398541
Price: ~150RMB including shipping
Made payment to shipper on 14 Feb morning, item shipped out from seller to warehouse on 14 feb noon, item arrived warehouse on 16 feb noon. (another item arrived on 17 feb morning). made payment to shipper on 17 feb noon. item arrived sg to door on 20 feb afternoon.
I believe this price beats any other branded racks from Europe (at least 2 times the price). I am OK with this because it fits my requirements adequately.
