Seatpost rack mount for non-EQ SL

[rochrunner]

To mount a conventional rack on a non-EQ SL, the adapter of choice would be the Salsa Post-Lock adapter in the 27.2mm size. The problem is that this continues to be out of stock everywhere I've looked with no timetable for restocking. Has anyone found a decent alternative that's available in the U.S.?

 

[JeffC57]

If you are OK with the Vado SL EQ's rack, you could just buy it from a Specialized dealer. It is listed on the spare parts list. It looks like the non-EQ frames have the necessary mounting provisions. The rack bolts to the rear fender so I think you'll need that too and is listed as a spare part.

 

[ActionJackson]

To mount a conventional rack on a non-EQ SL, the adapter of choice would be the Salsa Post-Lock adapter in the 27.2mm size. The problem is that this continues to be out of stock everywhere I've looked with no timetable for restocking. Has anyone found a decent alternative that's available in the U.S.?

There might be a small threaded screw hole at the junction of the seat stays in the cross brace pointing aft. That’s where one of the fender screws attaches if I recall correctly on the Turbo Vado SL. Wouldn’t take a lot work to use a steel strap to connect as a brace for a rack perhaps.

This is equivalent functionality I think (if you add a spacer!) :

Amazon.com

 

[Rás Cnoic]

To mount a conventional rack on a non-EQ SL, the adapter of choice would be the Salsa Post-Lock adapter in the 27.2mm size. The problem is that this continues to be out of stock everywhere I've looked with no timetable for restocking. Has anyone found a decent alternative that's available in the U.S.?

I scoured the net 6 months ago and found one in a Canadian bike shop online & they kindly sent it to UK - just checked that bike shop for you, but says sold out now.

 

[john peck]

There are post racks to be found on ebay & amazon, but my experience in general with this type
of rack is not good. they can´t carry much weight & tend to shift from side to side. The clamps
need a bit of sand paper to really grip the post, & even then they tend to wander, & can make
mounting a chore.

 

[rochrunner]

There are post racks to be found on ebay & amazon, but my experience in general with this type
of rack is not good. they can´t carry much weight & tend to shift from side to side. The clamps
need a bit of sand paper to really grip the post, & even then they tend to wander, & can make
mounting a chore.

Not looking for a post rack. Take a look at the link in my original post -- it allows you to mount a conventional rack on a bike that doesn't have braze-ons on the frame.

 

[kahn]

I presume you checked the Salsa site but it shows IN STOCK but probably erroneous for 98103 zip

POST-LOCK | Salsa Cycles

The Post-Lock fits around a seatpost and is an alternative mounting position for the front struts of a bicycle rack on frames without braze-ons.

salsacycles.com

 

[rochrunner]

I presume you checked the Salsa site but it shows IN STOCK but probably erroneous for 98103 zip

POST-LOCK | Salsa Cycles

The Post-Lock fits around a seatpost and is an alternative mounting position for the front struts of a bicycle rack on frames without braze-ons.

salsacycles.com

Yeah, nothing for my zip code. Plus, I think Salsa might be like Trek where the dealers aren't allowed to "compete with each other" by selling things online.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Take a look at the link in my original post -- it allows you to mount a conventional rack on a bike that doesn't have braze-ons on the frame.

It's hard to give you any good advice Doug. There are MTB racks that are attached to the rear triangle of the bike by strong tape:

• Topeak Tetrarack M2
• Old Man Mountain

I'm not sure how suitable those would be, and they are rather heavy. I'm thinking... Do you exclude any possibility of riding with a backpack? I've noticed my use of the Vado SL rack has been rather minimal so far.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Even though I have the Surly seat mount and a rack, I took the rack off after a couple months use as wasn't using it. I have a couple of velcroed handlebar bags for snacks and things like gloves & keys and an extra (and tiny) power bank for phone and then a saddle bag for spare tubes etc. This mostly does me. I hate wearing a back pack personally, can feel it weighing me down! The tricky time was Spring when I would need to take a rain jacket & something warm but not always wear it - too hot but then it would lash down or get cold etc etc. Got a cheap frame bag (waterproof) and used that to stuff the coat & unwanted layers into. The Frame bag fits ok, the Vado SL Medium is not exactly a standard tube size, it made the water bottles a bit tricky to get in and out, but it worked and is great for bike handling on a lot of the bridleways and muddy lanes I find myself exploring! Also my trips have settled into regular 20 to 30 miles so I don't need much anything else. The rack and a pannier bag is useful to have for longer trips. Currently on my ordinary bike for carrying picnics when cycling with the kids or nipping up the road to buy groceries.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Could you recommend a frame bag for Vado SL size M Ras?

 

[Rás Cnoic]

My one is a Podsac frame bag from Planet X - a UK online bike shop. It's their own brand and like a lot of their stuff is kind of no frills, well made but cheap. Here's the link but a quick look and they seem to be sold out right now! Like rest of world I guess dammit. Key is sizing, I took a gamble as there was a sale on. The velcro straps for the down tube didn't fit as it's so fat(!) but I used a second strap and worked just fine, though as I said it's a bit squashed with the bottle cages. If you can source frame bags in Warsaw that you could cycle over to the seller and try fitting on your bike, I think that would be best.

Frame Bags | Planet X

www.planetx.co.uk

Worth checking back to Planet X occasionally as they will probably re stock & constantly have sales too.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you. I would buy a frame bag on the spot if I knew dimensions for sure.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

P.S. Forget it. No space because of the Range Extender and the water-bottle, and the TCU cannot be covered either.

 

[jodi2]

There is a 27,2mm seatpost clamp for rack mount also from Specialized, article number 28216-9052.
I bought one for my Creo two months ago, but now it's also sold-out here in Germany.

 

[rochrunner]

Actually, I downloaded the SL manual and found that they recommend mounting a rack by using the threaded hole in the seat stay bridge (used as a fender mount on EQ bikes). It might work with the rack that I have in mind.

 

[kahn]

That "hidden" one on the seat stay bridge is also on my aluminum Creo and was used by the bike shop to mount my rear rack.

 

[rochrunner]

That "hidden" one on the seat stay bridge is also on my aluminum Creo and was used by the bike shop to mount my rear rack.

How did they do that? Most racks that I've installed have two adjustable support brackets -- one on each side of the rack. Did they just install one of them and bend it to use that center hole?

 

[kahn]

How did they do that? Most racks that I've installed have two adjustable support brackets -- one on each side of the rack. Did they just install one of them and bend it to use that center hole?

Just the one support that is a pretty rigid piece of metal. I just pushed down on it and it does NOT flex. As you can see, the rack has centered mounting holes so was designed for one support.

 

[rochrunner]

Just the one support that is a pretty rigid piece of metal. I just pushed down on it and it does NOT flex. As you can see, the rack has centered mounting holes so was designed for one support.

That should work. I just checked and the rack I'm thinking of has 3 sets of holes: 2 sets near the edges when two support straps are possible, and another set in the middle that would work for the SL.