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(More customer reviews)I spent a ridiculous amount of time checking out reviews and reading up on rear bike racks before making a purchase, and the Topeak Super Tourist DX (non-disc version) is what i picked. Let me share why so that my time spent can possibly save that of others.
Why the this rack was my pick for the touring bike:
* Light weight aluminum tubing -- because if you need to carry more than an aluminum rack can hold, you're doing it wrong.
* Extra side bars -- lower center of gravity and keep top open to simplify strapping things on top while also using panniers; the struts don't get in the way of clips.
* Dog-leg -- one of the few inexpensive racks commonly available that has the dog-legged rear strut. This is a really nice feature to keep panniers out of your spokes...
* Inexpensive -- seriously, this wasn't even available in the states when I bought it and it was still a better deal from a place in jolly olde England than competing products stateside. I'd say the next step up is probably one of the Tubus racks for 3+ times the price.
* The DX bit -- you can buy a Topeak trunk bag with fold down panniers and it just slides/clips on in 2 seconds for use about town. Insanely handy for grocery runs or commuting.
* Basic fender -- the DX extruded track acts as a fender if you don't want to add one to keep the stripe of mud off your back.
* Eyelet attachment -- this is only a pro if you have a bike with eyelets at the rear wheel for attaching a rack. If you do, all those extra work-around hacks many racks have are going to just be extra weight and not do as good of a job, anyway. Note that this version doesn't clear disc brakes, which was a plus for my purposes but obviously not useful for bikes with said brakes. There's a disc-compatible version, which is much more available. Again, if you don't need the hokey clearance struts for discs, this one is both lighter and probably also stronger than that model.
* Black -- no point in not looking cool, right?
* Name brand -- i ended up getting Topeak rack, pump, and multitool after carefully looking around. The company apparently really has its act together. So, even though the rack is cheap, it's not from some dodgy unknown company.
Now that i have that out of the way, let me comment a bit on my experience since getting the rack.
Installation
Okay, this isn't as easy as falling off a log, but if you have any experience with a wrench and the right tools, it will come together in a reasonable amount of time. You adjust the two silver-colored brackets to the right length (so that the rack is level when they reach the eyelets on the seat stays) by bolting them to the underside of the rack platform (nylock nuts were provided for these bolts, a nice touch), and then bolt the rack to the eyelets by the rear axle. Next, you bend the silver brackets as needed to position them at the eyelets on the seat stays. Finally, you bolt the silver brackets to the seat stays. Hardware is included, but if your setup is at all unconventional you may need to hit a hardware store for some metric bolts. For example, i was using the same eyelets by the axles for fenders and had to get a longer pair of m5 bolts; i also wanted to use stainless steel bolts to resist corrosion.
Rear Light
There are a couple "adapters" included to facilitate mounting a rear blinky on the rack. Unfortunately, neither of them is useful if you use the ubiquitous and excellent Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light or the many clones around, which have a little quick-release resin bracket they need to snap into. I have just clipped the blinky to the back of the tent stuff sack on the rack so far. If you get a trunk bag for use around town, it has a loop which will hold the light mostly secure (don't ask).
Effectiveness
I've taken a few short fully loaded tours now using this rack. For two of them, i stowed my gear in Ortlieb Back Roller Plus Bag - Pair panniers (Ed: Do not pay $200 for these!), which clip on and off the side rails of the rack very quickly. The third tour i lightened up by bringing just strapping the tent to the top of the rack and putting the rest in small front panniers. The rack has held up fine. The black finish is scuffed off where the pannier clips on (expected) but there are no other signs of wear. I did have trouble with one of the bolts falling out, but that was due to my own negligence in not doing routine inspections and is not at all the fault of the rack. I keep a spare pair of appropriate m5 bolts in my tool bag for such a possibility.
Summary
If you have the necessary eyelets on your would-be tourer (one pair near the rear axle, another on either side of the seat stays near the top), this is the best deal in a top-notch rear rack you can find. Make sure you get the version for disc brakes if your bike has rear discs.
Final Notes
* As mentioned before, when i bought this rack it wasn't offered on Amazon, so i can't vouch for this vendor. This review is purely about the Topeak Super Tourist DX rack.
* Seriously, there's no support for any markup *at all* in Amazon reviews? That i finished this and published it is a real tribute to how much i like this rack given how much that fact annoys me.
* Happy trails!
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Topeak Super Tourist Tubular Bicycle Trunk Rack DX with Side Bar
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