Mountain bike question; XC attitude?

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
The mountain bike I bought last year is still a big hit with me, but recently I've been wanting to add some bags for carrying extra water and photography equipment. But because of the disc brakes and lack of rack mounting braze-ons, standard mtn bike racks are not compatible.

So I e-mailed the store that built and sold my bike, asking how to attach a rack. Their reply was brief and I detected just a hint of attitude, something like, "That bike is an XC hard tail and was not designed to carry a rack." As if, why would anyone want to attach a rack to that kind of bike?

So does anyone know what specific function an "XC hardtail" is designed for? And what would preclude the owner of an "XC hardtail" from wishing to install a mountain bike rack?

There is probably an explanation, and I could ask on a mountain bike forum. But if the shop's email is any indication, it's probably a stupid question that I should already know the answer to.

Anyway, I did find a solution. Old Man Mountain has two racks specifically designed for installing on bicycles with disc brakes and without mounting braze-ons. Their racks mount to the brake bosses and axle skewer. I installed their Sherpa rack last night and it looks great, feels sturdy, and works with the pannier and trunk bags I've recently purchased. It did cost three times more than a standard rack though. :(

-Bob
 
If you hunt around enough, there's usually a solution somewhere; glad you found one.
There is a bit of "attitude" about certain aspects of bicycling. Heaven forbid one should wish to attach a kickstand to one's high-end roadster. "My God, man, that thing must weigh 3 ounces!"
This from the fellow who's just spent 300.00 to replace all the steel nuts and bolts on his bike with titanium, and who also happens to be 20 pounds overwieght. You get the idea...

Don't worry about the geeks, have fun with your bike.
 
an xc hardtail is for the lightweight minimalist who pushes everything to the limits and rides hard/fast...

needs to compete...

bags are for a touring bike...street bike
 
an xc hardtail is for the lightweight minimalist who pushes everything to the limits and rides hard/fast...
Click to expand...
I suppose that applies to me, only my limit is reached very, very quickly. :)
Maybe I'm an ultra-casual XC rider?

bags are for a touring bike...street bike
Click to expand...
Never thought of it like that. I'd say you could be correct, except Blackburn sells boatloads of mountain bike racks, and most people I've known with mountain bikes have had racks.

I did shoot off an e-mail to the bike shop and suggested that they become dealers for these Old Man Mountain racks, since they work so well with the bikes they sell. The manager replied and said it probably wasn't going to happen, since I'm the only person ever to want a rack for this bike model.

Hmmm... you're theory is sounding more correct each minute.

Anyway, I'm pretty bummed out about having two simultaneous catastrophic flats today. It seems these expensive, tubeless, "bead hook rim" tires can't handle a few goatheads...

-Bob
 
Ignore the snobbery and enjoy your bike, with the rack.

I'm pretty bummed out about having two simultaneous catastrophic flats today. It seems these expensive, tubeless, "bead hook rim" tires can't handle a few goatheads...
Click to expand...

Here's a gadget you might consider:
http://schwalbetires.com/node/1212/ok

I've got a set of Schwalbe puncture resistant tires on one of my road bikes, and while they're heavier and feel a little weird on turns, they haven't gotten flattened by road debris.
 
if your bike is a specialized xc hardtail i bought one earlier this spring. i've been very happy for the $300 i spent on it:thumbup:
 
I have a rack for my full suspension mountain bike. It attaches to the seatpost and should work for any bike. I think I paid $50 for it and it is reasonably light for that price. Check REI or performance bikes. I'm sure I got it at one of those 2 places.
 
depending on the size of the camera gear, you might consider an back pack with integrated camelback water system. I carry my little point and shoot digi camera in with my camelback system, as it's not too big, and it carries better on my back than on the bike.
 
the problems i saw with the post-mounted racks:
- high center of gravity
- low weight limit
- not enough clearance between rack and bike seat for my bag
- reports of the racks loiostening and swinging around the post

So the Old Man Mountain Sherpa rack is just the thing. their racks even work with full suspention bikes.
http://www.oldmanmountain.com/


i've ridden with bakpacks before, and may still. but i woulnt want to ride with one that's big enough for my camera bag, or one big enough for overnight camping gear.

if your bike is a specialized xc hardtail i bought one earlier this spring. i've been very happy for the $300 i spent on it
Click to expand...
mine is a Buckhorn from Monument cycles. I'm still getting used to the non-Shimano shifters and deraillers, but i freakin' love the Avocet Juicy Seven hydraulic disk brakes.

As far as flats, my tires aren't tubeless after all. but the guys over at a bike forum are really recommending that i upgrade to a "stans tubeless kit." but i'm still open to other suggestions and investigating alternatives. it's obvious my current system is fatally flawed.

-bob
 
What sort of flats are you getting? The most common while plugging around off-road are "snakebite" or "pinch" flats caused by underinflated tires. Easy to tell, you'll have two little paralell holes on the inside edge of the tube.

Other common vexations:

A "high" spoke end inside the rim.

Thorns and other nasties on the trail; some areas are full of them. Run "slime" or similar products and a kevlar liner.

Fixing a flat but failing to remove the thorn, piece of glass, or whatever that's still stuck in the tire.

Pinching the tube with the tire tool while re-installing. (Don't use the tool to re-mount the tire.)
 
all of the holes were caused by "goathead" stickers.

goathead.jpg
 
Mountain Bike magazine has run a number of articles on the dreaded goat's foot stickers; they are a huge problem in many areas.

A lot of folks run slime, and there are other products that work similarly.

Fortunately, we don't seem to have 'em here in Missouri!
 
slime is terrible. i would just recommend new tires. check out the specialized armadillos. they're perfect

you all have been kindly educating me on knives, so i am here to educate you on bikes

XC meand cross country. it is designed for fast mountain biking, typically on singletrack
hardtail means its only got a suspension fork

if i remember correctly, topeak makes a rack for disc brakes. its the explorer rack. check with your local bike shop about it. if they dont have it, ask if they use QBP. if so, they can order it. its $45

in terms of bags, jandd and axiom make some of the best. take a look at their stuff to see if something suits you

and for the record, if you're looking for a trail-ready mountain bike, think $500 or more
 
slime is terrible. i would just recommend new tires. check out the specialized armadillos. they're perfect
Click to expand...
the tires i have (mtb exi-wolf) are supposed to be pretty good, but i'll look into those others.

have you heard of that Stans tubeless system? its highly recommended at one of the major bicycling forums.

if i remember correctly, topeak makes a rack for disc brakes. its the explorer rack. check with your local bike shop about it. if they dont have it, ask if they use QBP. if so, they can order it. its $45
Click to expand...
If I understand correctly, the Topeak racks still connect to frame braze-ons, which my bike doesnt have. Any way, these Old Man Mountain racks work great.

in terms of bags, jandd and axiom make some of the best. take a look at their stuff to see if something suits you
Click to expand...
my camera bag that straps to top of the rack is a Lowepro. the panniers and trunk bag are Nashbar-brand. if i need something better in the future, i'll look into those others.

and for the record, if you're looking for a trail-ready mountain bike, think $500 or more
Click to expand...
thats about what my frame cost. my bike was built at the shop - comparing prices and components, that was cheaper than buying a name-brand bike, plus, my frame is Made in the USA.

-bob
 
stans are amazing. thats what im running on my mountain bike. i just dont know how well they'll fight against goatheads

you are right, the topeak does use the braze-ons, so you're outta luck there
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top