[CR]In defense of Pletscher racks

(Example: Racing:Wayne Stetina)

From: "David Bean" <beandk@rcn.com>
To: "Classic Rendezvous (E-mail)" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:20:00 -0400
Subject: [CR]In defense of Pletscher racks

Which gets less respect, a kickstand or a Pletscher rack? They're both useful and, when properly mounted, don't damage a bike.

I find the rack indispensable. My two most-frequent riders have them (and several less-frequent riders, too) and I use the wire baskets with a hook that engages the rack and are then held in place by the mousetrap. (I have only seen these for sale in Italy and Switzerland, but it was cheap to stock up when I was in the neighborhood.) The basket is about the same size as a grocery store basket; it holds more than a big bag of groceries and can be carried in and out of the store. The rack itself can carry panniers, your jacket when you warm up, a U-lock, newspaper,...and it mounts a taillight or reflector. The much-vaunted Blackburn rack does only the first of those, as far as I can tell. (Unless you add bungee cords, straps, or other accessories) Attendees at Larz Anderson might have seen my Schwinn, with the basket loaded up with junk. I thought that was at least as American as the loaf of bread and jug of wine aboard one of the beautiful French bikes.

See the standard rack at http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/beandk/racks/

and, if you need one to carry a heavier load, see http://www.pletscher.ch

David Bean
Arlington, MA
beandk at are-see-enn dot com