Mark’s Rack in Rear of 50 cm Cheviot

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Hi All,
My Mom (who lives across the country while I’m living in exile over here) is having the longest wait for her new bike in the history of New Bike Waiting. This is not Rivendell’s fault, but rather our fault as we are worthless mechanics, which necessitated a trip to a bike shop for assembly. Staff said the bike would be done Thursday and several days later (today) it finally is. I’ve been dying to see Mom’s new bike.

The reason I’m writing is because when Mom picked up her bike the LBS said they couldn’t affix her Marks’ Rack onto her Cheviot, saying “it’s 6-8 inches too short.” I’m assuming they think the struts are too short. But Rivendell would have never sold Mom a rack that didn’t work with a Rivendell bike, right? When Vince was working with Mom, he suggested a Mark’s Rack on the rear as a saddlebag support. Someone on here knows how it can be done, and that’s where you come in.

If you have thoughts on how to make it work, report back here, please! Otherwise, she’ll call Rivendell Monday and ask what do to, I suppose. If it weren’t Sunday, calling Rivendell is exactly what we’d do, but it is and we’re not known for our vast quantities of patience.

Thanks! You’re the best!
Leah

[sameness]

Looks like the Cheviot only has one set of hourglass braze-ons on the chainstays, which means the second strut on a Mark's Rack would need to attach to the fender mounts on the dropouts. I can't imagine the strut supplied with the M1 would be long enough, likely by...6-8 inches.

You could likely use a P-clamp to make that second strut attach to the seat stay, but on a new bike that's a bodge.

So yes, she probably has a pair of longer struts in her immediate future.

Jeff Hagedorn
Los Angeles, CA USA

[sameness]

*SEATSTAYS, not chainstays

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

You could use short enough screws to attach to both sides of the hourglass, triangulating well enough to support a saddlebag no sweat, with a diving board of course. Would be good for side to side structure/zero sway as well.
-Kai

[Joe Bernard]

You could use a Nitto Top Rack and not be futzing about with a front rack on the rear. I think the proper solution here is to return the Mark's and order a Top Rack from whomever has it in stock.

[Drw]

I’m with joe on this. The marks rack tombstone, more often than not, has impeded natural saddlebag placement when I’ve tried it...especially on riv bags that go under the saddle a ways.There are so many good options for saddlebag supports these days that i wouldn’t use a front rack on the rear unless it was a really good deal, or lying around the garage.

[John Phillips]

  I would recommend the NITTO Big Back Rack, either the 32R or the 33R, whichever fits your mom's bike. I know it's more expensive, but it safely holds more weight, has a wider platform, supports big & little saddlebags alike, super stable, and is damn useful. We have two, one on a Betty Foy, one on a Hunqapillar. Hard to beat.

John

[Will]

And if you're willing to look at a big Nitto, look into Tubus as well. We've had great experience with 4 racks (for the family) and associated roll top rear Ortlieb panniers. The beauty of the Tubus + Ortlieb setup is this: it takes about 5 seconds to attach or detach. You can carry lots-o-stuff without futzing with cargo nets, baskets, and 1950s era seat bags. It''s so simple you will actually use it.   

[Joe Bernard]

Well sure, she could trade the bike in for a Trek and forget all that "1950s era" stuff, too.

She needs a rack on the bike she bought to support the bag she likes. There's no point in suggesting her bag is bad technology.

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

I think she needs a different Nitto rack. She loves her Happisack (it’s BLUE! 😂) and I don’t see her parting with it. Hopefully Vince calls her back today and they can get it straightened out. Thanks for your help, All!

[Thomas Gillespie]

What bag and for what use? I agree about the tobstone possible problem. Hold the rack in place (w bag on) and measure distance to eyelets/braze-ons. New struts are the cheapest path forward but if the bag /rack relationship is rocky from the start don't buy the ring.

Tom "Searching for Mrs Right Bike" Gillespie

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[Joe Bernard]

HappiSack, light loads, is what I've deduced from convos here and elsewhere about the rack/bag situation. I think the Mark's Rack was a bad idea from the beginning, that tombstone thingy will interfere with the saddlebag. Leah's mom needs a Nitto Top Rack or similar.