Nitto R-14 vs Velo Orange Constructeur

[Jim Bronson]

I looked at both of these racks to satisfy my desire for a lightweight rear rack to carry no more than 5-7 lbs.  Basically, to support what's in my Carradice Barley.  Contents to support brevets of 400K and longer where a change of clothes for cooler evening riding may be required.  Perhaps a light jacket, tights, and all the other normal stuff I carry like 4x tubes, spare tire, multitool, patch kit, tire lever, tire boots and whatever food I want to take - 5ish clif bars or so.

I need to order the saddle loops from VO because I use a Terry Liberator saddle without loops.  I am going to pay for 2nd day shipping because I want to have the setup for this weekend's 400K I am doing.  I was planning on ordering the R-14 but when I saw the Constructor it appealed to me.  It also costs less than the R-14 and I would not have to pay 2nd day shipping for two vendors on opposite coasts.  

On the downside, the VO rack struts to connect to the mounting bosses that the Rivendell has near the brakes are not pretty.  The Nitto struts are very pretty.  Actually the entire Nitto rack is very pretty, and more visually appealing than the VO.

Any opinions out there?  

--
Keep the metal side up and the rubber side down!

[Tim Gavin]

The VO Constructeur rear rack doesn't connect to mounting bosses.  It's designed to mount directly to metal fenders, or to the brake bridge (with an accessory mount).  The brake bridge mounting doesn't look too bad to my eye.  But not as nice or sturdy as the R-14.  BTW, I have an unused R-14 you could buy; I'm going with a Campee rear rack.

I installed a VO Constructeur front rack on my girlfriend's Soma San Marcos.  

My ratings:

Looks: 5/5

Ease of install: 2/5

Function: 4/5

The rack has that classic French style.  Polished stainless steel looks great and is durable.

Installation was a pain.  It doesn't fit the fork very well; it seems too long and the sidepull brakes interfere with the daruma mounting, forcing the platform too far forward.  The daruma tang is too stout to bend by hand.  That's a good thing for durability, but makes it hard to fit up.

Tim

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Ron Mc]

My buddy who went with VO Constructeur front and rear hung them u and is replacing with Nitto because he decided he would rather attach a rack to his mounting lugs

[Bill Lindsay]

I put constructeur front and rear racks on my Windsor.  I think they are great, but I did attach the rear to the metal fenders.  It was a very time consuming install, but I love the result.  It's never going to come off, now that it's on.  The R14 is wildly more adjustable and is a far more versatile product.  I have the R-14 on my Bombadil, but have run that rack on 3 different bikes.  

[LBleriot]

I have the VO on my Bleriot, and it looks the part. It is mounted to Berthoud fenders and carries a small Sackville. It is not an easy install and is a permanent fixture.

I mount the R14 on my Soma San Marcos whenever I carry bag or package. Once set up, with struts cut to the right length, it pops on and off as needed. Horses for courses.

[Minh]

I may be a little late to comment.  I have both of these racks, for the VO if you have metal fenders and are able to mount directly to the fenders and not have to use the bracket behind the brake-bridge, that makes for the cleaner solution.

The R14 is almost made for a rivendell with the seat-stay mounts, install is a little easier then the VO (though you may have to bend the rods going to the seat-stays which makes install difficulty similiar).  

I think both would support a saddle bag, the R14 is a little easier to get higher if you are showing a lot of seatpost. 

[Eric Norris]

I also have the VO on a Bleriot:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/campyonlyguy/sets/72157640231227834/

Installation wasn't that difficult--what difficulty there was came from my own mistakes. I do like the way it looks.

Regarding using the VO rack to support a saddlebag ... It would need to be a very large bag. I mocked up a Carradice Nelson on the bike, and it hangs several inches above the rack. Not really a problem for me, since I plan to lash a small duffle on the rack to carry spare clothes, etc., on longer rides.

--Eric N

On Feb 19, 2014, at 11:37 AM, LBleriot <gary....@att.net> wrote:

> I have the VO on my Bleriot, and it looks the part. It is mounted to Berthoud fenders and carries a small Sackville. It is not an easy install and is a permanent fixture.
>
> I mount the R14 on my Soma San Marcos whenever I carry bag or package. Once set up, with struts cut to the right length, it pops on and off as needed. Horses for courses.
>