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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: JANUARY 18th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Non-Disc Rack
879g £54.99
The Topeak Uni Super Tourist 2.0 Black Non-Disc Rack is a more traditional four-point design capable of hauling 26kilos of kit and compatible with Topeak’s MTX top mounted luggage. Its solid, well-engineered and finished. However, its Uni Super Tourist DX Disc stablemate might be a better bet if you were looking to run their rack bag and large panniers or have disc mounts added to your touring lorry in the future.
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Pros: Sturdy, highly adjustable, intuitive to fit, impressive carrying capacity.
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Cons: Single Tier rail less convenient when mounting top bag and bigger panniers, aluminium alloys trickier to repair than steel.
Specification
10.2mm hollow 6061 T6 aluminium alloy tubes are what I’d expect from this end of the market, reducing weight without sacrificing strength. TIG welding is similarly neat and uniform throughout. Same goes for the satin black powder coated finish, which is good looking and promises to keep the elements out. Designed to accommodate bikes with 24–29-inch wheels, it features adjustable legs and similarly adaptable mounting hardware.
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I’ve had no issues with 26 and 700c (non-disc) builds, including those with wide arm cantilevers, which can foul luggage. The stainless-steel arms are suitably springy, which continues this accommodating narrative but without being blancmange-like when you’re hauling the proverbial kitchen sink.
The TX Quick Track plate is fully compatible with the brand’s dedicated range of top mounting luggage which slide into the channels and lock into the front loop. I am particularly fond of the MTX Trunk Dry Bag. There’s a pad printed reminder about maximum payloads and warning not bolting child seats atop. The track plate also doubles as a mudguard, well, splashguard is a fairer description.
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Round the back, there’s a flat light mounting plate and composite mounts for their Redlite lights.
Fitting Kit 3.25/5
There are two lighting mounts and matching hardware, along with the arms, electroplated Allen screws and nuts which feature vibration foiling nylon inserts. I would’ve liked a couple of spares, given they’re quite easily lost-or at least, two made a bid for freedom beneath the drier (thankfully I had two identical nuts in my fasteners stash). Obviously, for frames without braze-on bosses, you can take the P-clip route (not supplied), although personally, I wouldn’t skimp here, especially if you’re lugging more than 10 kilos or so. Tubus make some nicely engineered examples.
Be mindful not to overload the frame either, especially a thin wall tubing such as Reynolds 531c. Check with a trusted bike shop, or better still, frame builder if you’ve any doubt. Otherwise, all you’ll need is a 5mm Allen key (I’ve found the longer ball ended type helpful when getting everything aligned) and an 8mm open ended/ring spanner. Though not essential, a spirit level ensures you’ve got alignment bang on.
Test Bike & Contexts
My fixed gear winter/trainer wasn’t the host many of you probably envisaged. I’ll be the first to admit I wouldn’t want to be hauling 25 kilos up a long climb turning a 76inch gear. Nonetheless, it’s a very stable, though engaging machine and one I do a lot of winter and indeed, general riding on. Four-point racks have come and gone over the last 19 years and yes, there’s even been a Yak homage trailer trundling behind from time to time
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While conventional at face value, save perhaps for the lofty bottom bracket and semi compact geometry, the frame has a few interesting quirks. The most obvious being the wish bone rear triangle, which can make rack fitment trickier. Then of course, the excellent Mud Hugger Gravel Hugger guard is more pronounced, making the gap tighter. Fitting, save for the escapee fasteners was very straightforward.
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I added a lick of grease to the electroplated fasteners, although thread lock would be a more obvious choice, especially during the formative rides and if you’ve bought one ahead of a tour. Some of you will be wondering just how adjustable and, therefore, compatible, or swappable between bikes it is. It will adjust between 339 and 379mm. Another consideration when fitting to fixed gear builds are chain tugs. Bigger types such as the Genetic fitted to my fixed gear winter/trainer may cause fouling issues-hence I ultimately switched to a more subtle set halfway through our test period.
Performance 3.5/5
Overall performance has been in line with my expectations. Spoiler alert, I’ve not gone to 26 kilos - 20 was as heavy as I’d dare, given the bike’s gearing, then of course, there’s the single mechanical stopper. That out of the way, lateral stiffness has been impressive, even with this payload, meaning I could concentrate on my cadence, not fighting the bike when belting down swoopy descents, or negotiating congested pre-Christmas town centre traffic and the usual hazards - holes, glass, jaywalking pedestrians and distracted drivers.
The 10.2mm rods ensured good tenure with all my panniers-anything with a Rixen Kaul type attachment has been leach like, but easy to whip off quickly. Almost silent too, just the odd bit of low-level chatter when traversing rumble strips, railway crossings and similar surface imperfections.
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Pairing big panniers, such as this 20 litre Oxford Acqua and Topeak’s MTX Trunk Bag, proved trickier than with a two-tier design, such as their Super Tourist DX disc. Less so with a more conventional soft model trunk pack attaching via Velcro, but two-tier models have an edge in this respect. In fairness, things improved with use and as the powder coating wore along the Quick Track channels.
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On the flip side, the racks’ lower profile means it’s easier to sneak through gaps in traffic, gates, and similar, compared with a disc model. Without wind tunnel facilities how much of an aero advantage this presents is debatable but since panniers are closer to the bike, anecdotally, I’ve felt fresher over comparable distances in blustery conditions. (Yes, I was out in storm Darragh!) No issues with heel strike and 20 litre panniers either.
That said, touring, or kitchen sink commuting aren’t mandatory. Aside from testing and of course, playing Santa’s courier, for day rides I’ve gone with the MTX, or a similarly sized trunk bag. Little surprise that the MTX proved a perfect, silent companion with its dedicated mounting system and insulated base. Nonetheless, models with Velcro attachments were similarly secure and stable. The enclosed top also spared their bases from filthy wintry gloop. As for the light mount. Well, no surprise to learn it played nicely with Topeak’s but other design’s including Ravemen TR series have proven similarly compatible and secure. I’ve also fund it possible to mount lights on the thicker gauge of the rack’s tubing, another option if you’re running a single pannier.
Durability/Care 3.5/5
Apart from not exceeding the maximum weight, not leaning the bike down on its luggage, and similarly accidentally destructive stuff, I’d be inclined to wrap electrical tape where panniers rest to prevent unnecessary wear. That’s not to say Topeak’s powder coated finish isn’t hardy - it is.
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However, in common with other brands, because powder coating is thick they’ve gone straight to paint - there's no primer. Long term use of its DX stablemate reveals some flaking atop the top plate where stones have struck and where wet, gritty stuff has built up around the pannier stabiliser hook. For context, it has served eighteen months in all weathers, so very hardwearing. Outside of a testing context, I’d just bind some electrical tape where panniers sit to avoid this.
I’ve since put a thin coat of high build marine primer to lock the elements out, but most folks probably wouldn’t bother and it’s not something to get excited about. Fasteners have succumbed to some light taint, but not surprising, given the conditions and again, easily kept a bay with periodic oily rag once-overs.
Value 3.5/5
There’s no doubt in my mind you’re getting good value from the Uni Super Tourist. However, there’s also a fair bit of competition. Tortec Expedition Rear Rack is £44.95, has a 35-kilo maximum payload, two tier pannier rails and a 5-year warrantee. The Tortec Epic Alloy Rack is £49.99. Another two-tier design, it will manage a claimed 30kilos and features disc and other adaptor mounts. A five-year warranty adds further confidence.
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M Part Summit Rear Pannier Rack Alloy Black is also £49.99. It has a 25-kilo payload on its two tier rails for pannier and rack bag harmonyl, and a 5 year no quibble warranty.The Blackburn EX-1 (£54.99) has been around since the mid 1970s and is still relevant today. There’s a disc version, too for £69.99. Payload is lower than the others discussed here at 20kilos but at a claimed 535g it's a fair bit lighter, too.
Summary
Bottom line, the Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX is a very solid choice for everyday general riding first, and capable of doing reliable kitchen sink touring as needed. It’s versatile, compatible with a range of frame sizes and designs, and intuitive to fit.
Those seeking a tour first commute second model are arguably better served by those with two-tier rails (it's a design thing, not a snub at Topeak and I’m seriously fond of its disc cousin for precisely these reasons). Similarly, if you’re looking toward swapping between bikes of different genre, or just want to future proof a favourite build, I’d point you toward its Uni Super Tourist DX Disc cousin.
Verdict: 3.5/5 Solid, easy to fit rack for general riding and touring but single tier design less convenient when pairing panniers and trunk bags.
Michael Stenning
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2025
