more rack love: PAUL's Flatbed

image via PAUL

I recently spotted one of these flatbed racks by PAUL locked up in front of my gym - and the owner was raving about it to me. What a functional beauty!  

California-based bike component company PAUL makes these tubular anodized aluminum racks -- which I can't help compare it to the GAMOH front rack by Minoura of Japan. While similar in, here is how the two racks compare:

Disclaimer: I have never tested a Paul rack though have owned a GAMOH for a couple years and wrote this review in 2010

 PAUL Flatbed rack  

• 18" x 14.5" x 2.75" platform
• 6061 Aluminum Frame w/ anodized black or silver
• Poplar hardwood slats
• Max load 25 lbs.
• rack weighs 3 lbs.
• mounts on fork eyelets and stem
• Fits 700c wheels
• $199 (here)

)

GAMOH front rack

• 18" x 12.5" x 4.25" platform
• steel tubing with black powdercoat finish
• wood slats
• Max load 40 lbs. (Ben's Cycles recommends no more then 25 lbs.)
• rack weighs 5 lbs. 10 oz (2550 grams)
• mounts on fork eyelets and front breaks 
• Fits 700c wheels
• $114 (here)    

In this case I feel you get what you pay for. Yes, Paul's rack is nearly twice the cost but weighs 2 lbs. less due to the aluminum frame. Another important difference with the two is the way they mount onto your bike, though each with a three point connection. PAUL's Flatbed mounts to the stem and fork eyelets. The stem clamp is adjustable for different frame sizes and works with threaded or threadless tubes. With the GAMOH the rack mounts to the front brakes with a steel mounting bracket -- which makes for a cleaner look BUT I had an issue with the bracket snapping in half.

Either rack you go with -- they offer a nice large surface to lug around stuff. Just don't forget to protect those nice wood slats. I opt for regular applications of tung oil!  

my GAMOH rack with bungee around stem to help keep some weight off the bracket

happy bike to work day

A snap shot taken on a recent evening commute along the Hudson/West Side Greenway -- where the sail boats have started to appear. Oh, how I adore bike commuting.

New Yorkers... don't forget, today until 10am, Transportation Alternatives is serving up free iced coffee, Clif Bars and fresh fruit to cyclists at the following spots:

• On the Brooklyn Bridge
• Manhattan Bridge (Manhattan side bike path exit)
• Bronx - Joyce Kilmer Park (161st & Grand Concourse)
• Williamsburg Bridge (Brooklyn side, entrance to bike path)
• Queensboro/59th St. Bridge (Queens side, entrance to bike path)
• Staten Island Ferry (St. George Terminal)
• Upper West Side - Hudson Greenway (Upper West Side Streets Renaissance)

Enjoy this most perfect cycling weather today!

Hello Kitty bicycle mania in SoHo

Last Friday SoHo experienced cuteness overload. In honor of Sephora's Big Pink Bow fragrance launch, Broadway was lined with models in pink tulle skits, Hello Kitty herself, and a row of Hello Kitty bicycles which they were raffling off that afternoon!

This was happening around the corner from my office, and lo and behold, but not one BUT TWO of my colleagues each won one of these Hello Kitty beach cruiser style bike (which came with a helmet, front brake and bell)! I still couldn't help but wish they had been giving away a bike better suited for city riding...

lilacs and panniers

Now that the Cherry Blossoms have all dropped their pedals, the lilacs are in full bloom this week along the West Side Greenway's Cherry Walk (100th to 125th Street)!!! They are so fragrant I've been finding myself slowing down as I bike past to make the experience last longer.

The warmer weather has also got me switching up my routine -- I'm giving my backpack (and my back) a break and testing out some saddlebag panniers for Commute By Bike. The review will be up in couple weeks!