got my terracycle underseat rack today

one word.....sweet

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 16:45:05 -0300, johnson.. wrote:

one word.....sweet
But the question is, what type of 'bent did you get it for, and what type
of paniers are you using on it ?

I actually made a trip to portland and tried to lookup the Terracycle
offices only to find them to not be a "walk-in" type of business, their
doors were locked and it looked like no-one was home, I was hoping to get
a look at one before I bought it, since its cost is kinda high for a rack,
so I am curious what you think of the overall quality and how solid does
it mount to your bike?

I have recently purchased some Arkel RT60 paniers for my rear rack, and
they are wonderful, but my purchase would not have happened if it weren't
for the fact that I was able to go into my LBS and actually look at
them and also the fact that Cletus had a wonderful website and told me
about his...

Anway, hope you enjoy your new racks

Douglas Cole
Burley Taiko
Spokane, WA

I can think of some more words, like "work of art", bulletproof, worth
the money...

Douglas - Try e-mailing Pat Franz and see if he can tell you where you
can see a Burley rack locally.

I have a TerraCycle Easy Reacher rack on a Burley Canto. I have come to
prefer smallish bags on under seat racks, so I use Ortlieb Front Rollers
or original Tailwinds most of the time (or one of each when I'm really
indecisive). Arkle RT-60s will "fit", their ~12" height means they
don't effect your ground clearance or maximum lean angle too badly, but
the top pocket becomes less useful as the Burlley seat frame cross tube
limits how far it can expand upward and the tube pockets can also be a
challenge if they're both stuffed.

John


--
jmm

"Douglas Cole" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 16:45:05 -0300, johnson.. wrote:

one word.....sweet
But the question is, what type of 'bent did you get it for, and what type
of paniers are you using on it ?

Rans tailwind 2001 model, bought as old stock from LBS, it has the inverted
"U" channel as a seat mount.
No panniers as of yet. Been out of cycling for about 3 years so I have been
using a camelbak on the seat back. I was thinking of buying some large
panniers and repositioning the mounting system so the bags hang sideways.
This will allow for easier access to the interior and allow for
overstuffing.

I actually made a trip to portland and tried to lookup the Terracycle
offices only to find them to not be a "walk-in" type of business, their
doors were locked and it looked like no-one was home, I was hoping to get
a look at one before I bought it, since its cost is kinda high for a rack,
so I am curious what you think of the overall quality and how solid does
it mount to your bike?

The quality is 9.5 out of 10. Absolutely fantastic, fits like a glove, a
surgical glove not a leather glove. Went on so easy, had i mounted in 5
minutes. They even have little cutouts on the underside of the main brackets
for the pop rivets heads that hold on the "U" channel. Attention to detail.

I do think the bags will ride a little close to the underside of my seat but
it will be managable.

Rock solid. Claimed weight handeling is 30 pounds a side, I think they are
being conservative.

I have recently purchased some Arkel RT60 paniers for my rear rack, and
they are wonderful, but my purchase would not have happened if it weren't
for the fact that I was able to go into my LBS and actually look at
them and also the fact that Cletus had a wonderful website and told me
about his...

Ya buying something sight unseen is always scary.

Anway, hope you enjoy your new racks

Thanks

Douglas Cole
Burley Taiko
Spokane, WA

"jmm" wrote

I can think of some more words, like "work of art", bulletproof, worth
the money...


The Terracycle rack is indeed nice, but I managed to lose the lower
part of the bottom clamp on my recent bike camping/tour. The bolts
holding the clamp together (obviously) came loose and it fell off.
I didn't notice until the next morning when I was remounting the
panniers. I made temporary repair with zip ties to finish the trip.

I'd like to fashion something with curves to fit the Tour Easy frame
tubes to replace the missing part. Need to find a source for
Delrin(tm) or some other similar material for the interface layer...

Jon Meinecke (another jmm)

I managed to lose the lower part of the bottom clamp...

Jon - Good point! The first time I put mine on I didn't use
threadlocker on any of the screws. When I was taking the rack off at
the end of that trip, I noticed things were a little loosey goosey, so
I have used Loctite Blue #242 when remounting things ever since. If
it's any consolation, at least someone contributed a piece of fine art
to the roadside scrap heap...

Don't know exactly what gauge or shape you need as my Burley mounts are
different, but I've found that SOME cheap, flat auto/truck mudflaps at
various auto supply stores are made from a ~.062" to .125" thick black
polymer that seems to be HDPE.

John


--
jmm

"jmm" wrote

I have used Loctite Blue #242 when remounting things ever since.

Good point, in retrospect... I was reluctant to over-tighten the lower
clamp and risk crushing the frame tubes. The top part of lower clamp
for the Terracycle rack on the Tour Easy rests on the frame tubes
to bear weight. I used zip ties to stabilize it from moving laterally.
That proved sufficient to hold for the last two days of riding.

at least someone contributed a piece of fine art
to the roadside scrap heap...

I suspect it's about half way up US Hill on Highway 518 going
east out of Taos, NM. A simple .5" x .5" x 3" block of aluminum
with three holes and two bolts...

flat auto/truck mudflaps at various auto supply stores are made
from a ~.062" to .125" thick black polymer that seems to
be HDPE.

I've used rubber hose from the auto parts store to protect frame
tubes previously.

I'd like to make high-density nylon/plastic pieces that form-fit
the lower frame tubes and back that with a metal plate. Should
be simple to fashion,-- drill two appropriately sized and positioned
holes in a block of Delrin or similar material, then cut it in half.

Jon Meinecke