Repair guides › Accessories
Install a rear rack
A carrier over the rear wheel for panniers, a trunk bag or groceries, so the weight sits on the bike instead of your back. Two struts bolt to the dropout eyelets and two arms bolt to the seat-stay mounts. A disc-brake rack sets its left strut wider so it clears the caliper.
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Tools
- Ball-end hex key set (1.5–10 mm): Park Tool HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Set ($$)
- 1/4" click torque wrench (about 2–17 Nm) + bits: Pro Bike Tool 1/4 inch drive click torque wrench set (2.2–16.9 Nm) ($$)
- Blue threadlocker + anti-seize: Loctite 242 Blue and Park Tool ASC-1 anti-seize ($)
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Steps
- On a disc-brake bike, use a disc-compatible rack. Check the rack's weight rating against what you plan to carry.
- Loosely bolt both struts to the dropout eyelets, with spacers on the brake side if the strut touches the caliper.
- Attach the top arms to the seat-stay mounts. Bend or slide the arms so the platform sits level.
- Tighten all bolts with blue threadlocker.
- Load it, wiggle it hard and spin the wheel: no rubbing, no sway.
Torque
| Fastener | Torque |
|---|---|
| Rack eyelet bolts | 4–5 Nm with blue threadlocker; use the lower of the rack and frame load limits, and make sure no bolt pokes into the cassette or spokes |
Diagram
Side view, chain side toward youRear rack
Signs it needs doing
- Sways under load (loose bolts)
- Strut hits the brake caliper
- Bag straps rubbing spokes