I just purchased and fitted a new TorTec Ultralight rack to replace my old rack (which is now bent & broken). It looks smart but I have now discovered that it's a good 2" taller than the previous one - there's loads of 'wasted' space above the mudguard (700C wheels). The result is that I can no longer fit my tent on top of the rack, and still use a small saddle pack for tools etc - there simply isn't room under the saddle.
I have tried to look at specs for other racks but height doesn't seem to be mentioned. This new one is 390mm from top of rack to centre of the lower mounting holes. Looks like I'll have to return it for a different type. But does anyone know why they make it so high? Was it designed for really big 29er tyres?
Pannier rack height
Re: Pannier rack height
Tubus publish dimensioned diagrams of all their racks. More expensive than Tortec, though.
Re: Pannier rack height
Yes Tortec tend to be a tall rack,we had one on one of the tandems but I swapped it for a Blackburn Expedition which is much lower.
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"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
Re: Pannier rack height
If your tyres are narrowish, the mudguards will be relatively low compared to a large clearance spec bike. In which case you should be able to fit a 26" wheel rack. I run a 26" Tubus Cargo on my 700 tourer which has 35mm wide tyres and 45mm wide guards. There's still a 10mm gap.
Alternatively, find a rack you like then look up pic's of on other people's bikes on Google Images, which will give you an idea of the height.
I don't know why Tortec make these racks so tall - it looks most odd to me and not ideal for rigidity either.
Alternatively, find a rack you like then look up pic's of on other people's bikes on Google Images, which will give you an idea of the height.
I don't know why Tortec make these racks so tall - it looks most odd to me and not ideal for rigidity either.