Axiom Flip-Flop DLX post rack

The Axiom Flip Flop DLX is the flagship model in a range of quick release, seatpost mounted racks aimed at commuters and others seeking to lug light to moderate loads without using traditional three/four point racks.

First and foremost, the fifteen kilo load capacity is quite a bit, creeping close to half the capacity of my mono-wheel Yak clone trailer. When it comes to racks, I'm firmly of the opinion that they should be welded together, so I was quite surprised that the Flip Flop DLX is a two piece, detachable design.

This enables the beam to rotate, theoretically accommodating most types of bike, though getting it to sit low proved difficult. The main body is welded from tubular T6 6061 aluminium to Axiom's usual, very high standard, and the satin black powder coat finish is also very good. It comes with a lifetime warrantee against manufacturing defects.

A generous top platform doubles as a reasonably competent splash guard, while offering a solid mount for bigger trunk bags. The pannier frames at the sides comfortably accommodate 16 litre Rixen Kaul bags, though a layer or so of electrical tape where they make contact helps prevent premature wear. However, a two tier rack is more convenient if you combine panniers and trunk bag.

The clamps on racks like this tend to be agricultural and the DLX is no exception, though its quick release cam closure is a reasonably secure fit around most seatpost diameters. Despite the decent rubberised shim supplied, I'm not overly happy heavily loading a carbon fibre seatpost or the prospect of some long suffering A&E nurse extracting shards from my derriere. I've therefore limited my use of the Axiom Flip Flop DLX to sturdy aluminium alloy and titanium posts.

Overall performance has been middling. The Axiom Flip Flop DLX works best on smaller mountain/semi compact geometry framesets with healthy amounts of exposed post. The luggage is still placed relatively high, which can do interesting things to your bike's handling, especially during long, steady canters through exposed areas with strong crosswinds.

While I'm confident the rack's structure will hold the full 15kg claimed load capacity, a four-bolt stem-type clamp would make this more of a practical proposition. In practice, following my usual tentative bedding-in outings with a couple of evenly balanced kilos, I still found myself stopping eight times to realign the rack and nip the clamo tight during a forty mile run with half the maximum payload.

Here's a video from Axiom explaining the DLX and the rest of the Flip Flop range.

Verdict

Imaginative design that works well enough with lighter loads but needs a more substantial clamp