I feel ridiculous - can't get my rack on

[spotlightmama]

Okay, I feel like an idiot posting this, but I cannot figure out how to get my rear rack on. I have the Topeak Explorer rack (here) and I'm trying to put it on my Terry Symmetry.

The problem is that my rear brake completely gets in the way of the bracket arms. I don't understand! Here is a pic for clarification:





Why are the eyelets/braze-ons (sorry, not sure of term) right there if you can't use them? What am I doing wrong??

[DebW]

Can you screw the rack mounts to the inside of the braze-ons? That's how mine fits.

[spotlightmama]

I did try that, but the screws are too long to fit (or the space is too small to get in there).

How did you get the screws in there when it's so narrow?

[DebW]

There is 5 cm between the braze-ons on my bike. The screws are about 2 cm long. I do need an allen wrench with a short end to fit the wrench in. Alternatively, an allen with a bondus bit that can tighten the screw from an angle. I had my frame custom made and ordered the racks with the frame, so the framebuilder set up the braze-ons to fit the rack.

What kind of rack do you have? Tubus makes one (the Fly) that has a single centered strut. Maybe you could run one long screw through both of those eyelets, with spacers to hold the rack strut where you want it.

[DebW]

How about starting the screws from the outside and using screws that are long enough to go all the way through the braze-ons and the rack mounts, and then use a nut to secure the rack.

[spotlightmama]

How about starting the screws from the outside and using screws that are long enough to go all the way through the braze-ons and the rack mounts, and then use a nut to secure the rack.

Doh! Thank you!

I'll hit the hardware store tomorrow.

[DebW]

Doh! Thank you!

I'll hit the hardware store tomorrow.

0.8 mm threading on those screws. (I learned that at UBI)