The Blackburn Central Seatpost Rear Rack allows nearly any bike, no matter measurement or kind, to hold a load, supplied there’s sufficient seat publish displaying. Its versatile design boasts two totally different top settings plus fore and aft adjustment, so your load should not intervene along with your using place or different package. The power to change the peak additionally means it could actually match a big selection of bikes.
It weighs in at 763g and has a 10kg/22lb carrying capability, which ought to be lots for most individuals.
It prices $65.00, £59.99 or €69.99, and is obtainable in a single measurement and one color (black).
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The development
The rack is sturdily constructed utilizing plane grade 6061 aluminum tubing, and it attaches to any seat publish diameter from 22mm to 32mm through a four-bolt clamp. The clamp is 50mm tall, so you may want a minimum of that quantity of seatpost out there to make use of the rack. This neat method does allow frames with out standard braze-on rack attachment factors to nonetheless carry a load. There’s a fixing plate on the rear to which a light-weight will be hooked up – invaluable if the load will obscure your common mounting level.
It measures 517mm/20.375″ lengthy, 120mm/4.75″ vast and 120mm/4.75″ deep and is completed in matt black.
(Picture credit score: Paul Grele)
I discovered becoming the rack to be simple, though making an attempt to carry the rack, faceplate and shim in place whereas bolting the elements collectively required one hand greater than the 2 I already possess. It wasn’t too troublesome, it simply required some endurance. In the long run, I loosely bolted the non-shim facet, slid the shim in and screwed the opposite two bolts finger tight. I then made positive that the rack was straight earlier than torquing the bolts up (6.5-9Nm really useful).
To accommodate a dry bag secured with a bungee wire, I mounted the rack within the downward place, with the load part slid again so far as it might go. It wanted to be stored properly again in order that the bag would not catch the again of my legs. I additionally needed to maintain the load as little as potential in order that the middle of gravity wasn’t too excessive.
Earlier than becoming, I made a decision to drill a few 5mm holes in order that I might match my Cateye rear mild rack bracket. Two vertical holes are already pre-drilled, however I wanted two horizontal ones for my bracket. Being aluminium it was simple to drill, and I used to be happy with the end result. My mild might sit beneath the dry bag load and nonetheless stay seen.
(Picture credit score: Paul Grele)
The journey
As soon as out using with a load the rack felt steady and safe and my bike remained properly balanced. There have been no noises, flex or different detectable actions. My internal leg rubbed sometimes on the four-bolt faceplate, however an extended seat publish and smaller body would have enabled the rack to be bolted additional down, curing this interference. It was extra a quirk of my setup than a design challenge.
There was a small quantity of vertical motion on the be a part of between the seat publish clamp stub and the primary beam. Right here there’s a single bolt that allows you to set the beam in an upward or downward place. It did not make a noise or rattle, and it was encumbered by my bag, which stored it steady. I tightened the bolt to an inexpensive torque of 5Nm however could not eradicate the small motion. Nonetheless, it by no means grew to become an issue.
Within the downward configuration I favoured there was 35mm of fore and aft adjustment. When used the opposite method up there was circa 45mm of adjustment out there.
Blackburn suggests utilizing a rack-top bag, which appears to be a wise thought. I used to be unable to check the rack on this configuration as I not personal a prime bag, however my dry bag and bungee wire setup labored properly sufficient and felt completely safe.
NB authors personal mild fitted
(Picture credit score: Paul Grele)
Verdict
I discovered the Blackburn Central Seatpost Rack to be properly made, versatile in setup and safe in use. I appreciated that it had a rear mild plate, which as soon as modified to go well with my Cateye bracket meant that I used to be extra seen. It felt safe on the bike and it carried my load simply. Though it should match most bikes with ease, it actually comes into its personal with bikes that do not have body eyelets for racks/fenders. It is fairly simple to suit and take away, however not really easy that I might need to do it usually.
General it is a good choice if it’s worthwhile to carry a bag however cannot match a traditional rack. It is even value contemplating even for those who can!
