PlatRack and Tubus?

[Leslie]

I know the PlatRack was designed specifically to go with Mark's Rack;  

but I'd be curious to know if anyone has seen if it would happen to mate up to a rack like the Cosmo...

Anyone tried such?

[Manuel Acosta]

Dont think so. The rack is mounted with the side mounts that usually come with nitto front racks. you could fudge it and tie it down with some twine or rope. Good luck

[Leslie]

Hmmm..... Will go look for more pics; haven't seen a Platrack or a Marks rack in person...

I've put a Cosmo on the front of the Bomba, but think I'd like to be able to put a larger Wald on the front as needed, and be easily removable... Thought it might be most stable yet easily switchable if I mounted the basket to the Platrack, and could put the Platrack on and off... Just starting research on the idea, before I spend the money to find out its a no-go... If the Platrack really won't work, will find another way to make it 'hot swappable'...

[Leslie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_bright/7729133174/in/set-72157623199721925/lightbox/

It'll work!

No, the Tubus doesn't have the eyes that a Marks Rack has, but the rear eyes line up w/ the Tubus' struts (actually wants to land on top of them, but they have enough play to let them slide down alongside). I can get another pair of capture/pinch bolts to grab those struts. At the front, the Platrack's vertical plate will line up directly above the Tubus' vertical plate; I can make a linking plate to tie 'em together easy enough.

:)

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

Do the platrack struts interfere with panniers? 

On Monday, July 9, 2012 11:59:07 AM UTC-7, Leslie wrote:

[Leslie]

On Monday, August 6, 2012 11:47:17 PM UTC-4, Andy Smitty Schmidt wrote:

Do the platrack struts interfere with panniers?

They could;  it would depend on the panniers.    I don't have any (yet!), but the reason why I went w/ a double-Cosmo setup was to be able to run rear panniers on both ends.  (Don't *know* that I'll run rears on the front, but wanted the option... I think I'm going to deal w/ lights first, then panniers... so, panniers are going to be coming, just spreading this gameplan out over time...)

I was envisioning the Platrack to be paired w/ a basket ziptied to it, then removed for pannier use;  but, it's possible that the 'right' pannier might be able to go on there even w/ the strut there; I'd imagine the strut would be in the way in easily accessing the pannier, but, maybe not too bad.  

At whatever point down the road in the future, that I do have panniers, I'll be sure to post back....

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

I've run both a high and low load on the front of my Hilsen at different times. The high load (basket or slicker sack) makes the steering a little wobbly. It's not a deal breaker and it's not bad. It does require a little extra attention though. Panniers on a lowrider makes the steering really stable. I can no-hand it. That was with smaller front specific panniers. Interested to hear how a bigger load not quite as low handles. 

Regarding panniers... we've had Ortliebs for a couple years and they've served us (my wife and I) well but we needed a couple more panniers for family bike camping so I bought a set of Arkels this spring. Have only used them a few times but I really like the zipper closures and external pockets. 

Beautiful Bombadil BTW. 

--Andy

On Monday, July 9, 2012 11:59:07 AM UTC-7, Leslie wrote:

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

Alkel Clad Betty Foy coming home from the recent Kidical Mass PDX family bike camping trip. 

The astute observer will spot me wearing a Bosco Rubee Junior College t-shirt while riding my Bosco Rubee bar-ed Big Dummy... look for the bike with the American flag. 

--Andy

On Monday, July 9, 2012 11:59:07 AM UTC-7, Leslie wrote: