No eyelets? one solution is to use a beam rack to carry your cargo. The RX is one in a range of Topeak models, and with a light build and 7kg loading capacity, is tailored to road bikes. It's well made, with Topeak's usual attention to detail - including integrated adjustable bungees, optional side-arms, and a cute little mudguard accessory, which works very well. The rack itself clamps securely on the seatpost, shims are provided to cover posts from 28.6 to 31.8. If you need to go narrower, use some hard rubber inserts from a lighting kit. The platform is small and best suited to their own range of luggage, which slots securely on runners and is very stable.
Light, well built and secure road bike option
Great value for money at under £30, this high grade aluminium rack is rated to 35kg and will happily handle a weekly shop or a full-on tour. The Tortec design is a double platform, pushing the panniers away from your heels and offering extra clearance for bikes with shorter chainstays, like many modern mounatin bikes The top platform is ideal for a rolltop bag, which won't get in the way when you want to reach your panniers. The only proviso is that being aluminium it's best for smoother roads. The rack's mounting arms are very adjustable and it comes with a range of high quality stainless steel bolts – we've yet to find a frame we can't fit it to.There's an integrated universal light mount at the back too, and it's available in black or silver.
Best budget rear rack we've tested - a bargain
Like the popular Tubus Logo, the Tortec Expedition uses a dual level design - panniers are mounted below, with plenty of easily accessible space on the top for strapping on extras. As well as offering a lower centre of gravity, this also shunts the pannier back back by 5cm, ideal for use on mountain bikes with typically short stays. The rack comes complete with a wide range of bolts and adapters for smaller frames, making fitting easy. Construction is tubular alloy and overall quality is good. There's a light bracket at the back with various holes drilled through, and bags of clearance. Although the rack is rated to 35kg, we'd recommend a max of about 25kg, because it's not as stiff as some expedition racks.
Well price, versatile rack that should fit most bikes
The DX is basewd on the Super-Tourist rack. with adjustable struts that can be bent into place - so it should fit most frames. made from tubular aluminium, there's also a solid deck for muck protection, offering compatibility with Topeak's click and slide baggage system. But the main feature is the wide shape and accompanying extra long bolts to enable the legs of the rack to clear mechanical disc brakes, which are increasingly popular on commuting bikes and adventure tourers. Stiffness is a little compromised but it's still a solid set-up at a good price.
A good option for disc brake users, with mud protection too.
The whole Tubus range of racks is pretty much as good as it gets, including the two-tiered, heavy duty Cargo and the midweight Vega.We particularly like the Tara front rack for its elegance and simplicity. It's easy to fit, very adjustable and relatively light, given that it's made from tough, repairable chromoly tubing.Best of all, though, it packs down almost flat, so will slot easily into a bike box or bag for transporting your trusty wheels around the globe to your starting destination. Positioning the load low on your bike will help provide stable, predictable steering, though at the cost of some ground clearance.The Tara is rated to 15kg, there are eyelets for fitting a mudguard, and it's compatible with 26in and 700c wheels.
The best front rack: rigid, light, repairable and folds away flat for transport