1.3.08

 

Que es un Porta Cargas

Rack Design Considerations

Materials
As with bicycle frames, the best material for racks is chromium-molybdenum steel tubing (aka "Cro-Mo"). Unfortunately, as with bicycle frames, the trend is to use much less expensive aluminum. There are still some high end racks made out of 4130 Cro-Mo, including ones from Tubus and Robert Beckman, but you'll pay a high price for these racks. For the ultimate in long term durability without paint damage, a couple of manufacturers offer stainless steel racks. For heavily loaded touring the Cro-Mo racks represent a worthwhile expenditure.

Mounting System to Seat Stays
The better racks have a seat stay mounting system that doesn't require bending of flat brackets to match the seat stays. The brackets should be adjustable in width (to match different widths of seat stays) as well as pivoting up and down (to match different heights of seat stays) and rotating (to match different angles of seat stays).

Seat Stay Bracket Length
The brackets that come with many (or most) racks are too short for a lot of hybrid bicycles. See
Extended Seat Stay Brackets for information on how to solve this problem.

Platform Length
The longer the platform length, the further back panniers can be positioned, increasing heel clearance. However some racks with 33 cm platforms, such as the REI rack, are positioned further back from the seat stays, so the shorter platform is sufficient.

Reflector/Light Bracket
Most racks have a mount for a reflector or tail light, though a few lack this feature.

Triangulation
Long struts on a rack increase the side-to-side sway when fully loaded. On a rack with triangulation, one or more of the pairs of struts angle inward. This makes the rack more stable in terms of side to side sway. Struts that cross each other and are welded together also provide triangulation of sorts to reduce sway.

Strut Design
For use with panniers, the "dog leg" rear strut is essential as it prevents the pannier from knocking into the rear wheel when the pannier is mounted toward the rear of the rack. I have not included any racks that do not have the dogleg strut.

Side Rail Design
The side rails should never be stacked where the support struts are welded (or bolted) to the top platform. Double rails make it difficult or impossible to mount certain types of panniers. It's especially important that there be no double rails near the rear of the rack.

Capacity
The amount of weight that the rack is designed to carry. A fully loaded tourist could easily be carrying 50 pounds (22kg) of gear. Some of these racks can carry considerably more than this.

Weight
The sturdier racks have extra struts which can increase the weight by a couple of hundred grams. The racks that use Cro-Mo are lighter because they are able to use smaller diameter tubing which more than makes up for the difference between the weight of steel and aluminum.


 

¿Dijo Portacarga Delantero?

Eso de viajar en bicicleta es lo máximo, ... llevar uno lo básico es la clave de la autonomía, la libertad y la aventura. Solo hay que resolver un par de cosas ... y entre ellas, aparte del tiempo libre, la salud, el estado físico, el equipo especial y el (proporcionalmente poco) dinero hay una pregunta FUNDAMENTAL: ...
¿Cómo fijar la Carga ?
Aqui les presento una serie de criterios y ejemplos tomados de ARKEL uno de los pocos fabricantes de alforjas de expedición de alta calidad. (aparte de Ortlieb y unos pocos más)
Choosing a Rack

Bicycle racks: an overlook!

Arkel makes incredible panniers, so it is only natural that you would want a rack that is up to par. After all, even the best panniers (Arkel!) can't stop a poorly made rack from making your bike sway like a wet noodle.

Here is a quick look at some of the racks available. This short list is by no means complete nor does it cover the best or the worst. These are all good quality racks and are a good example of what is on the market today (until Arkel comes with its own racks!). If you are using a rack that you believe is worth mentioning, feel free to send us an e-mail and tell us why you think it's a good choice. Ojo a las especificaciones para rack delantero o trasero



 

Odisee Suspension Lowrider

Los hay mas resistentes y funcionales pero estos serán mi primer porta carga delantero para viajes largos en bicicleta. Llevar el peso de las alforjas repartido atrás y adelante es obviamente lo ideal para el equilibrio, la resistencia, la comodidad y la maniobra. Pero una cosa es instalar rack delantero en un tenedor rígido y otra muy diferente hacerlo sobre uno con suspensión. No es facil conseguirlo desde el platanal neither. En fin fue la mejor opción que logramos conseguir en Nueva York en donde (sorprendentemente) parece que no hay mucha demanda de artículos de cicloturismo serio.
Alvaro


Odisee Suspension Lowrider

The only front suspension rack - that mounts on new generation suspension forks without brake studs - Mounts securely to suspension - forks up to 42mm in diameter - Compatible with Suspension or - Rigid forks - X-long QR skewer included - Weight = 620g - aprox: $32.00 US


 

Old Man Mountain Front Rack

Portacargas delanteros
para tenedores fijos o con suspensión. Elemento imprescindible para viajar en bicicleta de manera más estable y segura, los rack delanteros son practicamente inexistentes en Colombia a menos que uno los mande a hacer. Los Old Man Mountain, mientras compiten bien en su precio, prometen ser resistentes, versatiles y confiables. Viajeros serios en el hemisferio centro-sur, denle una mirada a estos bichos.

LET'S BE UP FRONT ABOUT THIS...

From the beginning Old Man Mountain has offered front racks that are perfect for both suspension and rigid forks. If you're going off-road, check out the Cold Springs or Sherpa. If you want to carry your bags lower to the ground and you don't need the convenience of a top plate, then the Ultimate LowRider or AC LowRider is for you.


The Cold Springs Front
is simply the baddest front rack on the market today. Boasting a 50 lb. dynamic load capacity and a wide top shelf, it gets the job done, and then some. "I just went cycle touring in Madagascar with one of your rear bike racks. It was SO GOOD!!! The best bike rack I have ever had (and I have tried out a few). The design is perfect. It didn’t wobble, didn’t loosen, didn’t break anything. WELL DONE!
Jane

"Their rack is certainly artistry and they have a number of advantages...giving a very rigid, strong attachment. The rack detaches fairly quickly if I need to remove it to pack the bike, and the high rack will carry a gallon container of water if we want to free-camp away from water sources, which will likely happen in Baja and is possible in Alaska and the Yukon too...and the bike rides like a train when loaded."

—from Steve's website

Old Man Mountain Front Racks