Rear Rack - don't buy cheap

[surgtech1956]

I did it again, thought I'd save a buck. Bought a universal rear rack from Performance Bike along with a trunk bag, I sweated in the 93 degree(f) temps today for 1 1/2 hours trying to get this thing to fit my Trek 7100. I gave up - sending it back - it was only $9.99 - I should have known bettter. It didn't come with any instructions, there was a bag of screws, washers, nuts, two long black attachment bars with holes and two long silver bars with the inside open. This Saturday I'm heading to my LBS for some spare tubes, going to look at their racks.

[Zen]

I too have learned the hard way that it doesn't pay to be cheap.
Prepare to pay approximately $45 or more for your rack.

[andtckrtoo]

I totally concur. My rack folded under a light load and jammed up my rear wheel on a fast downhill with a lot of traffic. I managed to stop, thankfully. Fortunately, it decided to fold right by a bike shop (seriously - it was less than 1/4 mile away) who managed to unjam it from the wheel as I could not, and I was able to ride home carrying my panniers on my back (I looped a bike wire lock through the place for straps and wore it back pack style). Had my own shop install a much better one later that day.