Topeak Uni Super Tourist Rack (Disc) review
Easy to fit, top quality rack
A super rack that really does come close to fulfilling the description, 'one-size-fits-all'. The Uni Super Tourist is a durable, aluminium tubular rack equipped with adjustable legs to fit most 24” to 29” wheel MTB and 700C touring bikes with disc brakes. It's just as good for commuting and running errands, as it is for long-distance touring. While the top plate is designed to be compatible with Topeak's own luggage system, it can also accommodate a wide range of racks and panniers. The initial setup isn't difficult and, once on, it looks slick and resists wear better than some cheaper options.
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Very adaptable
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Well-made
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Intuitive and easy to mount
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Nothing to note
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In the not too distant past, you could be quite certain that any bike pannier rack would fit pretty much all bikes. But with standards having evolved at such a pace in recent years, producing a 'one size fits all' design has become an increasingly difficult task.
Yet it's one which Topeak has tackled head on, with the Uni Super Tourist coming out on top for compatibility, against the racks I've been testing such as the Ortlieb Quick Rack. This makes it a wise choice for anyone wishing to obviate the chance of any frustrating surprises when setting up – and for those wanting to keep their options open for swapping between bikes.
The construction: Topeak Uni Super Tourist Rack (Disc)
The Uni Super Tourist is made from 6061 T-6 hollow aluminium, with the welding and finishing maintaining a high quality throughout. In comparison to some others I’ve been testing, the the Uni Super Tourist is much more robust in its construction, resisting scratches and abrasions that others haven’t.
The rack is equipped with adjustable legs to ‘fit most 24” to 29” wheel MTB and 700C touring bikes with disc brakes’. The chrome plated stainless steel arms, on the other hand, flex accordingly to meet the bike frame’s mounting points.
On top, the TX QuickTrack® plate is compatible with any Topeak MTX TrunkBag (Topeak has a huge range), or MTX rear basket (of which there are two). I’ve had no issues fitting any of my own panniers, or those I’ve been testing.
At the rear, there is a plate for mounting a light, with the racking being compatible with a Topeak Redlite, unsurprisingly.
The ride
Mounting the rack is intuitive and doesn’t take long. I’ve had the Uni Super Tourist on and off several bikes without issue, you can see in the photos above mounted on a Triban RC520 and a Whyte Clifton ER7.
The rack is set at its lowest height on the Triban, fitted with 700 x 32c tubeless tyres. On the ER7, it’s still on the lowest height setting, with 700 x 40c tubeless tyres, plus a substantial mudguard.
Considering there are two more height settings that I haven't used – and plenty of arm length to play with – there's a lot of scope for larger tyres and smaller frame sizes, making clearance issues of little concern. At the other end, with 26" touring wheels, you may end up with a sizable gap between the rack and the rear wheel – but at worst that would only be an aesthetic issue.
I’ve not tested any of the Topeak's compatible luggage system, but I've had no issues attaching a whole range of panniers to the rack – including items from Ortlieb, Cube, Altura, Chrome Industries, Brooks and Topeak's standard pannier bags.
Many panniers come with adapters for attachment points, offering a more secure fit and reducing the chance of abrasion. Otherwise, a bit of insulating tape can prolong the aesthetic life, if you are keen to do that. The rack looks slick, and feels sturdy and durable. Although I've not used any tape through the test period, there has been no abrasion to note, which is quite impressive.
The 26kg capacity adds to the versatility of the rack; it’s not confined to commuting purposes, and can be easily swapped onto a touring bike. I felt confident loading it up during urban errands, with heavy shopping causing no concern.
If you happen to ride without mudguards, the plate offers some degree of protection from road spray. While it’s not huge, it’s certainly better than an 'open-top-rack' design.
Value and conclusion
At £44.99 / $73.49, the Topeak Uni Super Tourist fairs well against other brands with similar reputations for quality. Blackburn’s Ex 1 is £54.99 / $54.95 and Tubus’ Disco has an RRP of £135.99 / $135.99, though perhaps it’s not a perfect comparison; it’s made of steel, so it’s likely to last longer and is repairable too.
The ease of mounting, coupled with the deserving 'one-size-fits-all' tag, make it easy to recommend the Uni Super Tourist. It's a competitively priced option for anyone wanting a versatile, well-made rack.
Specs
- Attachment: Frame rack bosses
- Material: 6061 T-6 hollow aluminum
- Compatibility: MTX TrunkBags / MTX rear baskets
- Max Weight Capacity: 26 kg / 57 lb, Meets EN 14872 / ISO 11243
- Added Features:
- Includes mounting bracket (26.5 cm)
- Adjustable length, Solid fender top
- RedLite® Mount, Tail Light Mount
- Size: 41 x 34 x 25 cm /1 6.1” x 13.4” x 9.8”
- Weight: 820 g / 1.81 lb
- Adjustable height:
- Shorten: 339 mm (±3 mm)
- Middle: 359 mm (±3 mm)
- Longer: 379 mm (±3 mm)
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Emma’s first encounters with a bike were in between swimming and running. Soon after competing for GB in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Edmonton in 2001 she saw the light and decided to focus on cycling.
With a couple of half decent UK road seasons under her belt, she went out to Belgium to sample the racing there, spending two years with Lotto-Belisol Ladies team, racing alongside the likes of Sara Carrigan, Grace Verbeke, Rochelle Gilmore and Lizzie Deignan. Emma moved from Lotto-Belisol to Dutch team Redsun, working primarily as a domestique for Emma Johansson. When Redsun folded, Emma was offered the opportunity to ride with a newly formed Belgian team and home to the first year senior and budding rider Anna Van Der Breggen.
After retiring, Emma returned to teaching, setting up her own tutoring business. When not coercing kids to do maths, she is invariably out on two wheels. While the road bike remains her true passion, she has also developed an addiction to touring, with destinations including Iceland, Georgia and Albania, to mention just a few. There have also been sightings of Emma off-road, on mountain and gravel bikes… As if all of this isn't enough, she's been working as a freelancer since 2005, testing and reviewing the latest kit and sharing her insight into the sport.
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