The Velo Orange Utility Bar and Rack is a novel entrance rack system that works on any bike and supplies an adjustable L-shaped platform that may haul as much as 15 kilos. The Utility Bar has a pair “alien-eye mounts” and a corresponding set of rider-facing mounts for much more utility. Neil has been testing the system for the previous few months. Discover his assessment right here…
Have you ever ever wished to mount a entrance rack to your bike, however you’ll be able to’t resulting from an incompatible bike or a conflicting rack design? It occurs, and it’s irritating. To unravel this, Velo Orange got here up with an built-in rack and handlebar system that may simply be mounted to any bike. We’ve been testing the Velo Orange Utility Bar and Utility Rack for a number of months to see how they work collectively. Watch the video assessment beneath, and scroll down for a written model, images, and specs.
Velo Orange Utility Bar
The Utility Bar is the guts of Velo Orange’s new Utility System. The bar options built-in threaded mounts so you’ll be able to connect a Utility Rack (offered individually) to the entrance, and it additionally has rider-facing mounts so as to add bottle cages within the cockpit place. You’ll be able to even set up 4 bottle cages should you’d like.
The warmth-treated cromoly metal Utility Bar is available in two variations: Flat Bar and Riser Bar. Each are 780mm large, have a 15° backsweep and a pair of° rise angle, and can be found in black or silver finishes. I examined the black riser possibility, which is has 69 millimeters of rise, placing the rider in a way more upright place. Each bars are examined and rated for mountain biking.
The distinctive function on the Utility Riser Bar are the mounts that protrude up at an angle from the bar, which Velo Orange calls alien-eye mounts. These are aligned with the 2 mounts on the bar itself to match the spacing of a standard pair of bottle mounts. The 2 pairs let you connect their Utility Rack (offered individually), a novel L-shaped rack that mounts to the Utility bars utilizing 4 M5 bolts.
- Mannequin Examined: Velo Orange Utility Riser Bar
- Precise Weight (Bars): 669 grams (23.6 oz)
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Worth (Bars): $130
- Producer’s Particulars: Velo Orange
Velo Orange Utility Rack
The Utility Rack is designed to combine seamlessly with the Riser and Flat Utility Bars and is the right dimension and form for all kinds of baggage and cargo. You’ll be able to lash on a backpack, 12-pack, basket, or nearly something to the platform, making it answer for commuting, bikepacking, grocery-getting, or every other bike-hauling duties.
The Utility Rack is constructed from chromoly metal tubing and supplies a number of mounting orientations: tall and shallow or lengthy and low. Every place additionally affords a little bit wiggle-room by way of the sliding connections, offering a little bit of vertical micro-adjustment. 4 further eyelets double as bottle cage mounts on the rider facet of the bar, offering a handy place for a bottle cage or to easily add cargo cages for extra storage. When bolted to the 4 mounts within the entrance, the rack has a weight capability of 15 kilos (or simply in regards to the weight of a 12-pack).
- Mannequin Examined: Velo Orange Utility Rack
- Precise Weight (Rack): 546 grams (19.3 oz)
- Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
- Worth (Rack): $90
- Producer’s Particulars: Velo Orange
Set up
I made a decision to check this technique on my Surly Grappler commuter/kid-hauler, a motorcycle I exploit for a little bit little bit of every thing. The set up of the bar and rack is about as easy because it will get: mount the bar to the stem after which the rack to the bar. I messed round with the rack in a number of positions, however I loved utilizing it within the lengthy and low place, as this locations the burden decrease and nearer to the bars.
The Utility Rack and Bar definitely took some getting used to. The rack mounts fairly excessive up on the bar, making your load really feel a bit top-heavy. I briefly put in the rack utilizing simply the decrease mounting factors on the bar as a substitute of all 4, and it was considerably much less steady, so I moved it again to the 4 positions because it was designed.
Experience Really feel
Like most masses on a motorcycle, I received used to the added weight and place after a number of days of using. The bars are noticeably heavier than what I had on there beforehand, which I might really feel. Nonetheless, I observed the rise greater than something after changing some older flat bars. The Utility bar put me in a really upright and cozy place with the rise and backsweep.
As for the rack, I used it to hold a number of issues: bread, beer, beans, and containers. And it could deal with different issues that don’t begin with “B” as properly, for the document. The cool factor about this technique is it already has a supportive platform to strap your cargo; all you want is a few Voilé Straps or bungees, whereas a flat-top rack is a bit more restricted proper off the bat. I finally added a Wald basket with some zip-ties, which labored properly going to and from the farmers market or submit workplace.
If I had been to vary something on this technique, I’d make a barely wider 800mm model of the bar. I’d additionally attempt to decrease the load, however this might both imply a redesign of the rack or placing the alien-eye mounts beneath the bar, which is likely to be difficult.
Worth and Weight
The Velo Orange Utility Riser Bar ideas the scales at 669 grams and sells for $130, and the Utility Rack is 546 grams for $90. The total equipment is $220 with a weight of 1,215 grams, or 2 kilos and 11 ounces. The worth is correct according to many top-loader baggage accessible in the marketplace, and the burden isn’t far off contemplating the handlebars are a part of the system.
Execs
- Rack answer that works on practically any bike
- Rack may be mounted in a number of orientations
- Slick design with rack mounts doubling as bottle mounts on the rider facet
- The massive platform is prepared for hauling, simply wants straps
- Bar itself places riders in a really upright and cozy place
Cons
- Heavy
- Locations weight comparatively excessive
- Slim; wish to see a wider ~800mm bar
- Pretty costly
Wrap Up
Total, the Velo Orange Utility Bar and Rack system felt stable with or with out a load. The bolts remained tight and the rack is in nice form after a number of gradual tumbles within the storage. And whereas I didn’t get round to utilizing it for bikepacking, I will surely really feel comfy taking this setup out on an prolonged journey. With the redundancies in mounting choices and bolts, you can configure it in a approach to get out of a foul state of affairs if one thing had been to interrupt. That mentioned, it’s a bit heavy in comparison with different handlebar methods.
I totally loved utilizing the Utility Bar and Rack this summer season. It affords a great deal of versatility, works on nearly any bike, and is an absolute cinch to put in, which isn’t one thing you’ll be able to all the time say in relation to entrance racks.
Additional Studying
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