14 CommentsRacks have the power to transform your bicycle. They dramatically extend your range and allow you to bring what you need for longer trips, whether an overnighter, or multi-day journey. Racks are a passport to adventure.
Today, we are pleased to introduce two new Salsa rear rack solutions: the Alternator Rack Standard and Alternator Rack Wide.
Alternator Rack Standard
Designed for use with all Salsa frames that feature our Alternator dropouts in 135mm spacing. Currently, this includes the El Mariachi and Vaya Travel models.
The details:
· Tubular 6061-T6 aluminum construction
· 135 x 325mm cupped deck
· Extra long struts for improved range of fit. Straight and shaped (kinked) struts included
· Large pannier hook stops
· Black powdercoat finish
· 15kg maximum recommended load
· Mounting kit included
· 765 grams
Please note: a Salsa Rack-Lock seat collar is needed for frames without upper seatstay mounts, such as the El Mariachi.
See the Alternator Rack Standard product page and setup instructions
Alternator Rack Wide
Designed for use with ALL Salsa Mukluk fatbike frames, including both Alternator-equipped and non Alternator-equipped frames. This rack is THE Mukluk rear rack solution!
The details:
· Tubular 6061-T6 aluminum construction
· 135 x 325mm cupped deck
· Extra long struts for improved range of fit. Straight and shaped (kinked) struts included
· Large pannier hook stops
· Black powder coat finish
· 15kg maximum recommended load
· Mounting kit included
· 765 grams
Folks with non-Salsa fatbikes who are wondering if the Alternator Wide Rack will fit their bikes, we suggest you consider these two important details:
1) Deck requires a minimum of 320mm clearance from seatstay mounting points
2) Salsa Rack-Lock needed for frames without upper seatstay mounts
See the Alternator Rack Wide product page and setup instructions
We hope you are excited about the opportunity these racks bring you El Mariachi, Mukluk, and (soon to be) Vaya Travel owners. We encourage you to create some new and memorable experiences with them.
Salsa art director Kelly MacWilliams touring the Noto Peninsula of Japan using an Alternator Rack Standard prototype...
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TweetThis post filed under topics: adventuring bikepacking El Mariachi Fatbike Kid Mukluk new product overnighter touring Travel Vaya Travel
Comments
GM | November 12th, 2012
Very nice. I wish future Salsa rack designs would feature “interchange” compatibility. It is a pretty convenient system. The Bontrager/Trek bags and racks offer a lot options for commuters and the non bike packer. Of I know I could just buy the other guys stuff but I’d rather give the business to Salsa.
(Unless it’s a licensing thing…)
Great job Salsa - you are my number one slush fund benefactor.
Steve | November 12th, 2012
Hi Kid
I am fortunate enough to own a El mariachi and a Vaya and was wondering if these racks could fit both bikes? It would be really cool to swap them between bikes for different touring options.
Cheers
Phat Phil | November 13th, 2012
Good stuff now there is a fat bike rack. When can I get one in Canada. There’s a foot of the white stuff on the ground and it time to use the Mukluk as the commuter !!
Kid Riemer | November 14th, 2012
GM - Currently our racks are mainly designed to provide a solution for Salsa frame owners. In the future, we may be adding some racks designed to fit a wider range of bikes on the market.
Steve - Sorry, but the Alternator Rack Standard is designed specifically for the 135mm-spaced Alternator equipped frames. You would want to look at the Wanderlust Rack for your Vaya.
Phat Phil - Both Alternator Racks are in stock now at our distributor, Quality Bicycle Products. Your shop just needs to order it for you.
Thanks for the interest folks.
GM | November 14th, 2012
Hi Kid,
Thanks for your reply; “GM - Currently our racks are mainly designed to provide a solution for Salsa frame owners. In the future, we may be adding some racks designed to fit a wider range of bikes on the market.”
In all fairness I fit your description perfectly except my “Adventure by Bike” takes place in NY (Long Island). We don’t bike pack but we sure do commute, trail ride, tour and have fun with the necessity of racks and bags. If the Interchange clip system is not licensed it sure makes a lot of sense and doesn’t take much engineering resources.
I own an original Salsa 2010 Vaya (Upside Brown custom and built like stock), just purchased an end of stock new Salsa 2012 Vaya 2 (Super Orange) for myself and a Salsa 2012 Vaya 3 frame set (Charcoal) to be built up as a Vaya 2 gift for a close relative.
A Mukluk or brethren Pugsley is also in my future.
BTW, my Vaya is absolutely my most favorite bike ever and I’ve had a lot of cool bikes….
I look forward to your future racks and new Salsa products.
Thanks,
GM
Kid Riemer | November 14th, 2012
GM - Thanks for supporting the Salsa brand, and I’m glad to hear your are enjoying your bikes.
My suspicion is that Interchange system is trademarked and licensed and such. I’m sure there are other systems out there as well that develop those click-on, click-off capabilities.
Just to be sure, I hope you are aware of the Wanderlust Rack which would work well with your Vaya’s, albeit without the ability to use those Interchange system products.
All the best.
Duncan | November 23rd, 2012
Hi Kid,
Just wondering if you guys have tested how the Alternator rack may or may not fit on a Pugsley? Pictures anywhere?
Cheers,
Duncan
Kid Riemer | November 26th, 2012
Duncan - The Alternator Wide rack will not fit a Surly Pugsley frame. The Mukluk 170mm spacing doesn’t jive with Surly’s 135mm offset spacing.
jdmitch | November 28th, 2012
GM / Kid - If you want an adaptable QR top bag system, check out R&K’s Kickflix… they’re website ( http://www.klickfix.de/index.php?mod=14&lang=en ) sucks as I can’t link directly to products, but Velofred.com carries about anything they have… in specific check out the 0208 Carrier Adapter which is a plate OR 000BK (or anything that already has that adapater on it)
jdmitch | November 28th, 2012
PS there’s another mating adapter to set any bag up for use with the 0208…
PPS I’ve yet to have any personal experience with either adapter, just things I’ve seen and thought would be useful. There’s at least one other competing adapter, but I can’t remember who it’s from…
Brian Hanson | December 3rd, 2012
Hello guys I’m looking for suggestions on a new chain for my 2013 Mukluk 2 yesterday Me and several guys from Tonka cycle and ski went out on our Global Fatbike ride it was a great time Jason from Tonka has the same bike as me and had a chain break two times on the ride it’s the stock KMC that comes on them I just don’t want to have to mess around with my chain on my bike in the middle of nowhere especially when it’s cold. Any suggestions or opinions on a replacement ?
Kid Riemer | December 17th, 2012
Brian - The stock KMC chain should not be an issue, but product manager Tim says if you really want to go big, check out the Wipperman chains.
Mark S | February 12th, 2013
Hi Kid, Above it mentions that to use this rack on the El Mariachi:
“Please note: a Salsa Rack-Lock seat collar is needed for frames without upper seatstay mounts, such as the El Mariachi.”.
I assume this applies to the El Mariachi Ti too, right? Is that easy to set up? Just switch out the seat collar? Thanks, Mark S
Kid Riemer | February 12th, 2013
Mark S - You are correct. And yes, it is as easy as switching out your seat collar and then mounting the struts to the Rack-Lock seat collar extension. Instructions are included with the rack, and as always, measure twice, cut once!