I removed the Brompton rear rack, and here's why | GOrack

In this video I share why I stopped using the Bromton rear rack, EZ wheels, and wheel extender after I started using the GOrack.
I honestly think it's a great product with some room for improvement, as discussed in the video.

GOrack website:
www.mygorack.com

#brompton #foldingbike #gorack

I removed the Brompton rear rack, and here's why | GOrack

Well, winter is here, and there is no better time to talk about some bike gear. Here we are again, at the Georgia Tech campus, the scenario of many of the videos in this channel. If you’re interested in Bromptons and would like to see more of these videos, welcome to Everyday Cycling! I’m Victor and I hope you find it interesting here.
If you’ve been following this channel, you know that installing a rear rack, EZ-Wheels, and a wheel extender are some of the most useful upgrades I recommend for the Brompton, as they make it more stable when folded and easier to move around. You also know that I always use my Brompton as a shopping cart when I’m doing my groceries, taking it inside of the store with me.
Now, what I’m going to show you today is something you’ve probably never seen before, and it’s the reason why I removed the rear rack, EZ wheels and wheel extender from my bike for the past few months. And for me to give up on those things is a big deal.
And that’s because of something called the GOrack. This thing kinda looks like a rear rack but also not so much. It was sent to me by its designer about six months ago, but I’ve only used it for about three months now. Today I’ll tell you why it has changed the way I do my groceries for the better. But first, let’s take a closer look at what it is.
The GOrack is a structure that’s installed very similarly to the Brompton rear rack. It features a caster wheel, and also a long axle with larger wheels. In my opinion, the finish is beautiful, and this thing looks and feels solid and well-made. Because of the features we’ll talk about in a bit, you no longer need the original Brompton wheels to be installed on the frame, so on one side you can just fit a screw to seal the hole, and on the other you install an included aluminum peg. You’ll see why in a bit.
This is the riding configuration of the GOrack. You can keep the bike in kickstand mode or fold it just like a normal Brompton, in which case the bike will sit on all three wheels plus the aluminum peg. Now, once you get to the supermarket, you can easily remove the axle from the side of the GOrack and put it into its second position, or as I like to call it, the folding configuration. With some practice, I’m now able to switch between positions single-handed.
Now here’s where the GOrack really shines. The reason why this thing won me over is because, with the GOrack, the Brompton can be pushed in any direction. While the original rack only allows you to push the bike straight forward or back, the caster wheel on the GOrack allows you to make turns, just like a carry-on suitcase. The way I use it is by raising the seat post a bit higher and pushing the bike comfortably around the store by the saddle. Seriously, look how easy it is now. Before the GOrack, I had to raise the bike whenever I needed to make a turn. In fact, notice how I keep two of the EZ wheels off the ground at all times to make it easier to steer. A minor annoyance that you end up getting used to, but the GOrack just made me not want to go back.
In the past I’ve recommended wheel extenders for additional stability, and I still do, but nothing comes even close to the stability of the GOrack, simply because the removable axle is considerably longer.
One thing you may have noticed is the fact that the GOrack cannot be used for carrying cargo, like the original rack does. This is a downside to me, as I used to carry out pizza on the rear rack. However, there’s an alternative version of the GOrack coming out soon, and that one will feature a platform to use the GOrack for cargo.
After using the GOrack for three months, I also suggested replacing the caster wheel by a larger one. While the concept of the rack is great, the small caster wheel gets stuck sometimes, and pushing the bike on non-smooth surfaces is not practical. This is probably being improved on the second version as well. On rough surfaces, it’s better to keep the axle on the side of the rack and carry the bike sideways. In this mode, a Velcro strap is used to keep the bike from unfolding.
The current version of the GOrack is handmade in the US in small batches, and that brings its price tag to 250 dollars, which is quite a bit on any standards. Now, if you add up the price of the Brompton rack, EZ wheels, and wheel extender, which are all unnecessary if you have the GOrack, you’ll actually be saving a bit of cash. I understand some people would never let go of the look of the original rack, and I also think it looks better, but I’m all-in for utility and whatever makes my life easier.

Видео I removed the Brompton rear rack, and here's why | GOrack канала Everyday Cycling