Attaching things to the rack

[JohnInStockie]

Hi All

I want to move my rear lights to the rear of the rack rather than have them on the seatpost but the clamp is the wrong size. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for attaching things to the rack (any useful connectors they use for this)?

Thanks

John

 

[frank9755]

I'm glad its not only me!
I've cycled around for most of my life with loose back lights attached to my carrier with an oversized fixing. I can't offer a solution, only moral support, but would love to hear if you find one!
Frank

 

[Ian]

That has been my dillema on a number of occasions John, my problem is I need the seat low which rules out seat post lights, hence my conversion of the rack mounted reflector to a powerful rearlamp. In the past I've attached lights (and a pump) to the rack with cable ties. I've even clipped lights to my belt.

 

[flecc]

Automotive pipe clips include a 3/8" size which suits many carriers, the eZee one for example. Here's an illustration of some copper ones:

These are at frost.co.uk, but they're no good to you as it's a £12 selection of all sizes. (If you're interested though, go to the frost site and enter T591 in the search box).

However, it's a clue that you could check in Halfords or a local motor spares shop, or even ask at a local friendly garage if you're lucky enough to have such a thing.
.

 

[FatMog]

Depending on how much too big it is, you could try shimming it out with aquarium tubing. You can either get a large diameter, cut it open and wrap it like a swiss roll, or it somes in a large variety of diameters so you could nest it. Also useful for sliding onto the frame to protect it before bolting things on! Comes by the foot, cheap n cheerful!

 

[BigBob]

Hi All

I want to move my rear lights to the rear of the rack rather than have them on the seatpost but the clamp is the wrong size. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for attaching things to the rack (any useful connectors they use for this)?

Thanks

John

Go to your local electrical wholesaler and ask about the clips that they sell to fasten Pyro (the copper clad cable).

They are available in a variety of sizes and come in eithe plain copper or plastic covered copper.




BB

 

[Sector]

Copper clips

You can get a problem with electrochemical corrosion between copper and aluminium in wet conditions, so copper clips on an aluminium rack don't sound too good. There is about 2.2 volts between them on the electrochemical series and normally you would want to avoid any combination of metals that produce over 0.25v.

The varnish on the alumnium will help a little to keep the metals apart, but wrapping the tube with a piece of old rubber inner tube would be better.

Alternativley have a look at the cheap lollypop reflectors designed to stick out sideways from your bike to fend off the traffic. The one I bought a while ago (Halfords?) but never used has a plastic clamp designed to fit on the small tubes on a rack. It fits the rack of my Quando.

 

[allotmenteer]

You can get a problem with electrochemical corrosion between copper and aluminium in wet conditions, so copper clips on an aluminium rack don't sound too good.

This happened with my wife's steel Marin which had an aluminium seatpost. It wasn't moved regularly and has welded itself to the seat tube. I doubt it'll ever come off, just as well it's set at the right height.

 

[Ian]

This happened with my wife's steel Marin which had an aluminium seatpost. It wasn't moved regularly and has welded itself to the seat tube. I doubt it'll ever come off, just as well it's set at the right height.

Many e-bikes have a sprung seatpost made from steel ... in an aluminium frame and are likely to suffer the same fate if not disturbed.

 

[BigBob]

How about these

Maplin > Cable ‘P’ Clips

Made of nylon and available in a variety of sizes.



BB