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review

Tubus Cargo Classic Rack

8
£92.50

VERDICT:

8
10
Solid rack with a 40kg load capacity ideal for heavy duty touring
Weight: 
820g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Cargo Classic rack from Tubus is the company's original rack and has over the years become a bit of a classic. And for good reason: it's a solid rack that is really easy to fit and is compatible with most frames on the market.

There are loads of racks on the market to suit different requirements. If you want one that can take a heavy load, the Cargo is rated up to a whopping 40kg, plenty for a couple of stuffed panniers and a tent on top. Despite its load capacity, it's impressively light.

The Cargo Classic is handmade in Germany from tubular chromoly steel and is very well finished in a tough epoxy powder coating. Fitting to the frame couldn't be any easier; from box to riding took me all of five minutes. The two adjustable struts are easy to install compared to any other rack I've ever used, and they provide a good range of adjustment so you can get the rack perfectly set up in the right position. All bolts are supplied as well.

Riding with a pair of Ortlieb panniers mounted to the rack showed there to be no clearance issues; the rack is set back far enough that your heels are well clear of interfering with the bags. Even with heavily loaded bags, the rack is impressively sturdy. It doesn't budge over rough roads and cheerfully handles you heading off-road too.

The rear plate has several holes drilled in for easily mounting a reflector or LED light. There are loads of accessories available for the rack including a pump holder, seatstay mounting kits, spacer discs and quick release axle adapters.

For short tours and multi-day continent hopping epics, the Cargo Classic is a rack capable of taking the heavy loads and does so with a reassuringly solid ability. That it is easy to fit to most frames is an advantage, and the adjustable arms make it a cinch to fit as well.

Tubus offer a 30 year warranty and a worldwide free of charge replacement service during the first three years for registered customers, which isn't something to be sniffed at, and makes this expensive rack good value for money. Without doubt, this is the sort of rack that will last a lifetime.

As well as the 700c version, it's also available for 26in bicycles.

Verdict

Solid rack with a 40kg load capacity ideal for heavy duty touring

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Tubus Cargo Classic Rack

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Material - 25CrMo4 steel

Weight - 640g

Max Load - 40 kg

Wheel Size - 700c (622)

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Our classic - your favourite since 1988.

This model is the basis for all of our carrier

models. The CARGO is our all around carrier.

Everyone is pleased with the performance

of this carrier. On the road all over the

world, the CARGO endures tough daily

routine check-ups tested by its owners.

Improved over time in every single detail,

the CARGO is good for your daily ride or

even the next world tour. It fits most bikes

and carries most panniers.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Really solidly constructed, it feels bombproof.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Easy to fit and securely holds loaded panniers in place.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

It's a solid construction, and the 30 year warranty, with a free replacement offer in the first three years, is appealing and a nice backup.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

There are lighter, but considering the 40kg maximum load capacity, it's light for the load it can carry.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

It's pricey compared to some other racks, but comes with a 30 year warranty which adds value.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It's really easy to fit and very adjustable.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A really nicely made rack ideal for everything from popping to the supermarket to riding across Europe.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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1 comments

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mikroos | 9 years ago
0 likes

Definitely the stiffest rack I've ever owned. Perfectly rigid and stable, even at high speeds.

On the other hand there is a problem with corrosion, like with any steel rack. I sold my own Cargo because of that - I simply didn't have time for maintenance, the paint was wearing off even though I was using protective stickers. They just didn't last long enough which was quite a pain for me.

After some time, while using another rack (XLC RP-R11 - amazing value!) I found a solution to that problem: I simply wrap the tubes of a rack with an old bicycle tube. An added advantage is that the panniers make much less noise on rough roads now. Who knows, maybe if I found this solution sooner, they would make my life with Tubus much easier?

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