Good looking rigs. I’m interested to hear how the Thule rear racks work out; they look like a good solution for FS bikes or hardtails without rack eyelets.

Hi Gary, tx for your comment.
I’ve used the Thule rack already on week-long and weekend-long BP trips and it works great!!
Installing it the first time, takes some time and figuring-out but once you get it right… take some pictures of it for future reference 🙂
I’ve used it on offroad downhills and it doesn’t move an inch (or centimeter 🙂 ).
For the Sardinia trip coming up, I’m gonna use it in the front and start out with nothing on it and use it to carry food and water.
My 3 co-bikers also got one, so it will be a good test for this Thule rack.
I’ll keep you posted.
Regards, Berten

Could you provide details of your setups (racks, bags, etc.)?

Hi Jeff.
My bike (top photo) has a seatbag from http://www.bikepack.eu (from Poland).
Frame bag and handlebarbag made in Belgium by my wife.
Rack is from Thule and can take A LOT !!
Other guys also have this Thule rack and all are very pleased with it.
Furthermore 1 Alpkit framebag.
All other stuff are regular drybags.
Tomorrow leaving for Sardinia to ride TransSardinia.
Regards,
Berten

My setup for Sardinia:
rear: Thule Bike rack and 20l dry bag ALpkit + little 3 l drybag
middel: framebag: Alpkit
little saddlebag (camera) and little seatbag (tools)
stem cell: for snacks during the ride
front: 13l steeringbag: ALpkit and tent.
Tyres: continental Mountain kings 2.4 protection. Perfect for riding on rocks.

In this setup my bike steered perfect, never problems. Some guys had also a Thulerack on the frontsuspension but i don’t recommend that > steering not perfect.

A big seatbag moves al the time. With a Thule rack and your drybags good fastened, your Luggage is not moving and gives a solid feeling of your bike during riding.

My backpack was almost empty. I used it to carry up to 5 liters of water

one negative point about the Thule rack is it’s weight; about 1 kg.