Where to buy Pletscher Rack Easy-Fix adapter and/or basket? [In the USA]

[LeRoy]

I have the Clem Smith Jr.

I have installed the Pletscher "Clem Rack."

I'm entirely pleased with both.

But I pine for a Pletscher basket that uses the Easy-Fix attachment system. I'd even be satisfied with the Easy-Fix adapter plate. But I have yet to find a US seller of this kind of Pletscher accessory.

I have found the baskets and rack adapter on eBay and results do show up on Google searches. Unfortunately the path always seems to lead back to sellers in Switzerland, Germany or the UK. These sources make shipping ridiculously costly.

So, here's the question: Is anyone aware of a US seller of this range of Pletscher accessories? Or, does anyone have superior search skills and the patience to point me in the right direction?

Here, for those who are not familiar with the system, is a video of the Pletscher Easy-Fix system and compatible baskets, carriers and the like. This seems to answer the frequently spoken desire for a basket system that can be easily mounted and removed without tools; no muss, no fuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kPQdQPUdLk

[Patrick Moore]

FWIW, I rigged up a home-brew (and considerably larger) easy-on/easy-off basket for my Dahon Hon Solo; simple, rather crude, but very effective.

I used a basket from Target or Office Depot designed as part of a home or office storage system; it's large enough to hold 2 full paper grocery sackes side by side.

I cut and shaped a piece of wood from a 2X10 plank to snugly fit into the middle space of the rack platform, and bolted it to the underside of the basket so as to position the basket as close as possible to the rack "tombstone". The forward lip of the basket, which is slightly flared at the top, sits up against a Carradice SQR block (I also use a Junior and Camper when these are more convenient) so that the basket can't tilt forward, and a toe strap at the front of the basket prevents it from lifting up backward. But a second toe strap at the rear would suffice to keep the basket in place even if the forward lip didn't press against the SQR.

The virtue of this system is that the block keeps the basket from sliding to either side or fore or aft, and the straps just have to keep the basket from lifting -- far better than trying to lash the unmodified basket to the rack with 4 toe straps.

Someone in the randonneur business makes and sells little QR clips that clamp to rack tubes; these are meant for rando bags and front racks. I had thought of using 4 of those, but they're not strong enough to be the sole means of securing the loads this basket sees. But with the block holding the basket in place, the clips would simply keep the basket from lifting and, I think, be easier to click on and off than strapping the front of the basket with the toe strap.

I can't remember who this person is, or where his website is; does anyone know? IIRC, they cost $35 each.

Thanks

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[Robert Sharp]

Thanks for the detour.

<spoken without snark or malice>

However, I asked a different question.

Leroy

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[Patrick Moore]

I know; this wasn't addressed solely to you. I thought others might be interested in a cheap and relatively easy alternative. My post is tangential but hardly unrelated, no?

[Drw]

Not super sure what part you are looking for but bike24.com seems to carry the pletscher line. They aren’t US based but I’ll vouch for their very good prices on European parts.

[John Phillips]

Hi Leroy,

    I don't know which Pletscher basket you're looking for, but the Pletscher Shopping Basket Deluxe XXL with Easy Fix Adapter is available through Bike24 for 41.93 euros. If you create an account with Bike24 and login, you usually see a lower price than someone sees without logging in. Shipping is about $20.00 for orders to the U.S. and usually take about 10 business days to California, but I always save enough to warrant the cost. Schwalbe tires are a particularly good deal through Bike24.

Hope this helps,

John

[LeRoy]

Thanks, especially, for the on-topic replies and the pointer to Bike 24 in Germany. They do indeed carry the full assortment of Pletscher accessories, including the Easy-Fix baskets, bags and rack mounts. Their prices are fair, especially when you delete the German value added tax (Mehrwertsteuer). However, shipping is still on the high side for a bulky but low-priced item like a basket.

But wait, there's a bit of good news. I happened across the ThrorUSA site, a bike supplier specializing in folding bikes and related parts and accessories. See http://www.thorusa.com/

Among the accessories they stock is the Easy-Fix adapter plate for the Pletscher rack. Those of you with a Clem Rack may want to take note. With this adapter plate you can add your own basket, bag or case and have a strong, tidy, tool-free quick-release system. The adapter plate located in the three holes cast into the Pletscher rack, latching securely in place. It releases by pulling the spring latch and everything comes off in one smooth move. Scroll down to the bottom of the page linked below and check it out. For full details on the versatility the Easy-Fix system brings to the Clem Rack, check out the link in my original post.

http://www.thorusa.com/accessories/pletscher.htm

I've ordered the adapter plate and will post pictures with a basket installed. I have no financial interest in the products or sites mentioned here, apart from my purchase of the adapter plate at retail.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

Leroy

[Drw]

Hey Leroy,
I have a Clem rack that I’ve removed the spring part from. Is that in any way necessary for this adapter to work? Having a hard time picturing the mechanics of it.

[sameness]

I think but am not sure it just straight up jams into those three cast holes (two fore, one aft) in the top of the rack. Doesn't look like it cares about the mousetrap.

Jeff Hagedorn

Los Angeles, CA USA

[LeRoy]

Drw, if you've removed the rat trap spring portion, then you should still be good to use one of the Easy-Fix adapter plates. Unless, unfortunately, you also removed the small spring latch under one of the platform mounting holes.

The image attached is an annotated screen shot from the video linked in my original post. It's taken at 1:50 and the preceding few seconds make it clear how the mounting goes together.

The three pins of the adapter plate engage in the three holes in the Clem Rack. Note that the pins have a circumferential groove near the end. When fully inserted, the groove on the forward left side pin engages with a spring wire to lock the pin in position and resist removal. To remove the adapter plate you need to "trigger" the little wire/spring latch to disengage the latch from the groove. Then the adapter simply lifts off the rack.

What I find quite useful about the whole apparatus is that it allows quick and tool-free removal of a bag, rack or basket, yet the carrier is very secure when installed. And, when a basket or bag isn't in use, the Clem Rack still has its rat trap mechanism for carrying other loads. When I think of all the homemade basket-mounting solutions employing Zip-ties, bungees, Irish straps and other improvisations, I have to look at this as the simplest and best solution. Not the cheapest, mind you, but it addresses all my concerns about easy installation and removal, secure mounting and a substantial load capacity. Factoid: The Pletscher race we call the Clem Rack is rated for loads up to 25 kg (55 lbs!) when properly installed.

Leroy

[Drw]

Excellent! Thanks

[johnboy]

Thorusa seems to have a lot of Pletscher parts....J