Thanks for all that info Northof49cold. I'm a chronic rack overloader. I figured that if I broke a rack, I'd get a new one. I hadn't considered how dangerous the failure might be. I'm off to add a strap to the Nitto Mini/basket combo on my Quickbeam. My other bike has a Haulin Colin rack with Swift bag and Berthoud decaleur. It didn't occur to me that the decaleur also serves as a safety device in case of rack failure, but I guess that's an added bonus.
Brad P. Queens On Monday, June 20, 2016 at 1:22:53 AM UTC-4, Northof49ncold wrote: > > > > On Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 3:56:14 PM UTC-6, dstein wrote: >> >> Very unfortunate to hear and glad you're ok. That definitely makes me >> nervous. When you say fork crown strut/tang, are you referring to the 2 >> struts that connect to the top of the fork crown like here >> <http://oceanaircycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/10.28-Marks-Rack-WP-1140800.jpg> >> or >> the single (flimsier) tange that connects to the centerpull brake bolt like >> this <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/21814379422044040/>. >> >> Are using fork crown bolts any more stable than the single centerpull >> bolt? >> >> I'm referring to the single flat tang -- the flimsy one with the channel > in it http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/rh1-20219.htm -- that runs from > the rack to the fork crown hole. The VO Porteur rack uses the same lame > 3-point connection (a similar tang with holes in it as well as the two > dropout eyelet connectors). Ocean Air has their act together and mentioned > the problem in this post: > http://oceanaircycles.com/2013/10/18/upper-porteur-mounting/ . That's the > best way to handle the problem but the other way is to rig p-clamps to each > side of the fork instead (a little lower down) somewhat like the "updated" > factory set-up on the Soma Deluxe Porteur Rack: > http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-3773699254952/soma-porteur-rack-stainless-steel-8.gif > > . Click on that photo for detail and you'll see the same tang design as the > M18 or VO Porteur. If that sucker breaks due to flex, guess where that rack > would be going without the side fork "interface" to hold onto it? Yup, > straight foward! According to a source at VO, he's only seen two breakages > in 5 years -- almost certainly due to the bending involved in aligning the > tang to connect with the fork crown hole. Two incidents are two too many > but I'm sure there are others that haven't been reported. Have at look at > the illustrative photo in this blog post to see the contortions sometime > necessary to get things aligned: > http://velo-orange.blogspot.ca/2014/02/porteur-rack-versatility.html > (sixth photo down, click on it for detail). Once bent like that -- and my > M18 tang also needed to be bent some -- the tang/strut section right behind > the two rack bolts is where the flexing and stress occurs. *That's where > my tang broke.* With only a little prodding on my part, VO updated their > Porteur Rack page to include links to both the Surly rack kit and the > p-clamps: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/vo-porteur-rack.html . > Apparently this fix was mentioned earlier this year in a blog post: > http://velo-orange.blogspot.ca/2016/04/buy-cheap-stuff-go-camping-mount-racks.html > > . Now get this -- the VO Porteur Rack is rated as holding a maximum payload > of 50lbs!! I wouldn't trust it with a 15lb dry bag if a single (heavily > bent) tang was holding things together as per normal. Keep in mind that the > generous/obscene rating is for the standard rack with no extra beef-up > using the Surly kit and the p-clamps or direct fork eyelet connections. I > think the main problem here is that most riders simply don't use their > bikes enough to have things go tits up. Here's a classic example: > http://velo-orange.blogspot.ca/2016/05/raw-camargue-shredeur-mtb-history.html > . Note that the hotdog riding/"having fun" on that bike has got an empty > front rack. Try doing the same thing with a loaded (50lbs?!) Porteur rack > and carry on for 1000 miles over bumpy trails (or bumpy pavement for that > matter). Oh, *be sure to check your life insurance coverage before doing > so*. Cass Gilbert of Whileoutriding -- who actually rides his bikes a > great deal -- had a Porteur rack installed and pointed out the shaky nature > of the 3-pointed beast: > http://www.whileoutriding.com/gear-reviews/gear/review-velo-orange-porteur-rack > > . Nice looks but no brawn. > > *No pics, Lungimsam.* I have the rack still mounted with straps wrapped > around my dry bag and handlebars and will be using the broken rig for > relatively-safe nearby steep hill climbs with little speed involved. I've > been training for a trip down the GDMBR and have to use what I have until > a replacement VO Porteur rack shows up with the Surly rack kit and some > p-clamps. I have a Revelate Designs harness but the 15lbs is near its limit > and I find the harness crowds the bars too much since I have a couple of > feedbags there as well. I actually like the feel of the front load a little > lower and a rack does that. > > Keep safe out there! I'm still a little shaken up after realizing what > could have happened at a greater speed.... > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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