A few weeks ago I posted asking about high quality steel racks for brake bolt attachment. I wanted a classic looking rack, preferably chromed steel, but Nitto, Tubus, etc., seem only to be made for seatstay attachment - if you don't have brazeons you have to clamp them around the stays, which I just don't like to do.
Well I found a great solution thanks to Doug Fattic. He recommended Wald rear racks from Wald Cycle Company. The LBS guys no doubt know these guys. They manufacture their stuff in Kentucky, and make training wheels, kickstands, and steel wire baskets, including folding ones, as well as racks. They used to do a lot of business with Schwinn and other US manufacturers, mostly in connection with single speed coaster brake bikes. Not sure where they sell most of their stuff these days, but they have somehow survived in a changing market without moving manufacturing to China.
Wald isn't very high profile in classic lightweight circles, but I checked out their website. They only sell direct for logowear, like T-shirts, caps, backpacks, etc. All the hardware is through distributors who serve LBS's. Now the nearest shop on their retailer list is 50 miles away in Midland, TX (hometown of George W. Bush). So I ordered a rack from them about a month ago. Well their usual distributor didn't stock them. Another did, but had a minimum order size. They promise they will get it, but still have not, and maybe never will. One side benefit, last time I visited the shop, I noticed they had some old NOS chainrings. Sorted through them and found an NOS genuine Campy NR 41T ring for $25. Kind of made my day.
So I called Wald, who actually give their phone number on their site. After leaving a couple of messages, a Wald guy called me back. I asked to buy direct, given the difficulty of buying them here in the middle of nowhere. He said they don't do that, but referred me to couple of authorized dealer LBS's who sell them online. Found one called Niagra Cycle Works not far from Niagra Falls, NY, and ordered three racks online.
They arrived today. These are extremely high quality, great chrome job, and a design like the classic chrome steel racks from the 60's or before. They adjust in a manner very similar to Blackburn. These may be solid steel rod rather than tubular. I don't have a Nitto or Tubus, but I compared the weight to a VeloOrange rear rack. The Wald is heavier, but not by a huge margin, and it is larger as I have the smaller VeloOrange model. The VeloOrange is tubular, but a larger diameter.
Now here is the remarkable thing. Nitto racks can go for $150 or more and almost all of the classic steel racks will be at least close to $100. But the Midland bike shop was talking about $20 and - get this - I paid just less than $13 each online. That's right $13. If you want a classic chromed steel rack for brakebolt mounting, this is the only way to go.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA