Rack hack on my Custom All Rounder

Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA

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Mar 21, 2025, 11:06:14 AM3/21/25

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I had this heavy duty Blackburn rack and wanted to try it on the all rounder. To get it level meant that the front of the rack is kind'a close to the frame. The twisted stainless strap-type fittings did not leave enough space for the cantilever straddle cable, so I thought about it a bit and came up with this. Using a couple short Nitto struts and a pair of strut holders, everything lined up and is strong as hell - a match made in heaven!

The build is progressing. Tempted to paint the rack to match the frame. Those are Bruce Gordon Rock & Road 48mm tires by the way.

Marty

Brian Forsee

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Mar 21, 2025, 11:28:19 AM3/21/25

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Cool retrofit Marty! I vote paint the rack!

Brian

John Robert Williams

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Mar 21, 2025, 12:31:35 PM3/21/25

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Wow Marty! BRAVO!!

Most Excellent execution! I love great fits like this...most inspiring! I too used an old blackburn rear rack. If you start out with a few different grades of scotch brite pads, moving to finer grades, then start with Mothers Mag polish, those rack struts will shine almost like chrome. It's faster than painting....but, everyone gets to build it their way....that's the magic shared here!

JohnRobertWilliams

Traverse City, MI

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John Robert Williams

David Hays

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Mar 21, 2025, 12:35:18 PM3/21/25

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I actually like the silver rack with patina/beausage look myself.

A very nice build.

David Hays

Buffalo, New York

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Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA

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Mar 21, 2025, 12:39:08 PM3/21/25

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Thanks John (Brian too),

I've done the spit and polish method with other blackburn racks, and it does look good. I've stripped the black paint off several racks. This one is actually powdercoated from the factory so it would take a bit more effort to remove that first. I do like a shiny rack, so it might be worth a test before I commit to that. Then again, it's not horrible as it is now...

Marty

Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA

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Mar 21, 2025, 12:47:17 PM3/21/25

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David - a big part of me agrees with you. It's likely to stay this way for a while, now that it's on the bike and all.

George Schick

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Mar 21, 2025, 1:27:29 PM3/21/25

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Marty - great job on that rack mod and install. Do you know what the specific Blackburn rack model that is? I'm working with a lady whose junked bike she was given for free by some older couple and I rebuilt into serviceable condition last year so she could use it to commute to her school job and ride in a fund raising event. Now she's saying that her husband may get a full time job (again) and she's concerned that she may need the bike more frequently for commuting. So she wants fenders and a rack installed. I've got an eye on the where to get the fenders, but racks and rack prices are all over the place. If I could find a used heavy duty Blackburn like yours maybe on eBay and fix it like you have it might be the best bargain (she doesn't have a lot of money).

Thanks, George

On Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:06:14 AM UTC-5 Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA wrote:

Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA

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Mar 21, 2025, 2:37:00 PM3/21/25

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It's an EX-2. Thicker struts (and one more in back) than most of their racks.

Designed to take some serious weight. Good luck finding one - they are a rare breed. I got mine at a local swap meet. The only one I saw on Ebay was priced over $200! The EX-1 is more common, but the issue I have with that version is the width of the rear struts is not wide enough for fat tires or fenders in some cases. If you have a local co-op or used bike shop, check there first. Sometimes they have old racks that you can pick up cheap. And those strut bolt thingies are pricey too - I just happened to have a couple laying around. What kind of bike does she have? Might help to see what you're dealing with. Feel free to PM me with pics if you like.