A Better Mousetrap: Riv Pletscher rack review

[Mark in Beacon]

I bought the Riv Pletscher when I bought my Clementine, but that bike was designated for hauling the Burley Piccolo, so it got the Moose rack, and the Pletscher got lost in the parts closet for a couple of years. As part of the recent (late) winterization of the Trekendell, I finally got around to installing it. I like its elegantly industrial looks, and the fact that it is an improved version of the most ubiquitous rack of all time.

I only installed it yesterday, so this is not a full, over time review, more like first impressions and installation notes. The rack has a more substantial feel in the hand when compared to the standard Pletscher. The finish is like a silvery galvanized with subtle sparkley flakes. Once attached to the bicycle and battened down, it feels as secure as the finest Nitto racks. And holy cow, that spring clamp is serious business, with a powerful action. You probably could rig this thing in such a way as to dispatch unwanted rodents with it.

Installation notes: It has a few more parts than your average mouse trap, I mean rack, even without the extras like taillight mount and pannier rails, but the directions are okay, and Rivendell Bicycle Works also has a video. My first attempt appeared okay initially, but during the test ride I realized it was too close to the seat stays, and the brake straddle cable was hitting the back of the rack. The reason I did not notice this right away was because I left the house without tightening down the clamps that hold the seat stay struts to the rack. I rode down the block to the bike shop to do this, because the allen head bolts were facing inward, requiring one of those allen wrenches with the ball end to handle the angle. I assume during the short ride, the rack shifted just enough to foul the brake.

When I returned home, I did two things: I lowered the rack struts going to the rear hub and I replaced the struts going to the seat stays. I'm not sure if the ones I used came with the rack as a second pair or I had them in my rack parts, but by using them I was able to turn the clamp block thing so that the allen heads were facing outward, much more convenient, and, I would think, the way it should be/was designed to work. If none of this makes sense, watch the Riv video and you'll see what I mean, but you can also see what I mean by looking at the pics of the rack before (with pink lock) and after (without pink lock) at the link below.

Finally, the tail light mount should be installed before you mount the rack if possible. The little screw that holds it in is tough to get started, and if the rack is mounted low and you have fenders, there is very little room to work with.

Photo notes:

I was itching to go for a ride longer than the grocery store and back, so I took the winterized Trekendelltm (Rat Traps switched for Thunder Burts, fenders installed, racks installed; to come: hook up lights, and make mud flaps!) for a jaunt along the Beacon Loop Trail, which combines Main Street with trails down at the Hudson River. It just so happened that there was "flash fogs" while I was down there, so I got a few fairly dramatic shots. Felt great to jump on the pedals a bit. More photos here: Pletscher Rack and Fog

[John Hawrylak]

Mark

Thanks for the review, very informative.  You mentioned you lowered the rack.  I looked at the expanded pictures and saw how you did it.  Just 1 question:

 What is the vertical distance from the rack top to the dropout you attached it to??

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

[Mark in Beacon]

14" or about 35.5cm. This is with 2.something 26" Thunder Burts on what was a 700c frame, and the rack sitting about an inch or less off the fender, which itself has loads of clearance over the tire. Don't forget that, in addition to the two holes on the strut tab, there are three other height adjustment holes on the fore strut itself. Lots of adjustability with this rack; you'd have to try hard to make it not fit. Unfortunately, I see Riv is currently out of stock.

[DadDadDaddio]

I agree with OP's observations ... very solid rack, very flexible mounting options. Here's a pic of the rack with Pletscher's EasyFix basket; solid, snap-in/out mounting system.

[Bruce d]

The rack is back in stock at Riv!

[Mark in Beacon]

I saw this bike in the Clem thread. Very nice. I noticed that you can even get a kid seat that works with these racks. I had to pick up my son from his cartooning class last night, grabbed the bike in this thread, planning to walk with him the few blocks home. But then I had him hop on the rack facing backward and we pedaled home that way, very common transport in China, India. I would not do it with regularity or for any real distance, but worked great in a pinch. He's 8 and maybe 50 or 60 pounds. (Not endorsed by RBW! Please don't try this with your own 8yr old 60-pounder!)