If you're into bike-packing or just love gearing up for a big adventure on the bike, You may have heard about the Aeroe Spider Rear Rack. I've been on the hunt for the perfect rear luggage system for a while, and my buddies Rachael and Steve at my local bike shop, I-Cycles (Innerleithen), were kind enough to lend me theirs for the weekend. Thanks, guys!
This nifty little piece of gear has been on my radar for a while, and after a recent internet deep dive, it's easy to recall why and confirm my need to try one.
Here's the scoop on why I think this rack is catching the attention of even the most ardent of bike-packers who usually stick to traditional seat packs and racks. After a weekend of varied terrain and about 50k of riding, here are my first impressions.
Adaptability and Versatility
Exploring the Aeroe Spider rear rack: One of the coolest things about the Aeroe Spider Rear Rack is its adaptability. Unlike many traditional bike racks that require specific mounting points or frame types, this rack can fit almost any bike. My trusty Pipedream Cycles Sirius S5 had no issues at all.
Whether you're rocking a mountain bike, a road bike, or an e-bike, the flexible mounting system uses silicone-coated straps that grip your bike’s frame securely without causing any damage. This makes it perfect for bikes without the usual rack mounts or those who switch between different bikes. This feature is what drew me to it in the first place. The ability to fit it onto full suspension bikes.
At first glance, you might think there's a lot of flex, but it’s surprisingly stable. While there's some movement (which I think is intentional to avoid stressing certain components), it doesn’t affect your ride at all. Super stable and secure.
Hassle-Free Installation
Well, mostly hassle-free... I’d call it fiddly, but definitely not a deal-breaker! Nobody wants to spend ages installing a bike rack, and with the Spider rack, you mostly won't.
The setup is straightforward and user-friendly. With a few bolts and straps, you can have it mounted in no time. The silicone-coated straps are gentle on your bike’s paintwork and provide a secure fit. Aeroe does recommend some protection for your carbon frame, though.
My gear stayed put even on the roughest terrain and once installed, the rack is rock-solid with no annoying swaying or rattling.
Just a quick selection of mounting eyelets depending on your frame circumference and tighten it up. Simple! However, be aware of torque and crushing tolerances of carbon frames. This will only be a problem if you grossly overtighten the bracket.
Customizable for Any Trip
The Aeroe system's modular nature is one of its unique features. The base rack comes with one cradle, but you can easily add more cradles or quick-release gear pods depending on your needs. This level of customization allows you to tailor your setup for short trips or extended tours, making it a versatile addition to your biking gear. Whether you need to pack light for a day trip or load up for a week-long adventure it's a super quick turnaround.
Weight
While the Aeroe Spider Rear Rack isn't excessively heavy on its own, the weight would add up when you start adding extra cradles and gear pods. For those very conscious about the overall weight of their bike, this is something to keep in mind. The rack itself with one cradle is around 1kg, which isn’t much, but if you’re carrying a lot of extra gear, it could start to feel a bit hefty.
What did I think on the ride?
I fitted it, rode with it, it did what it said it would and that’s about it. It was really easy to install, taking about 3-4 minutes and performed flawlessly.
Like most riders with luggage, I checked and rechecked it during the ride, but everything stayed put. It’s worth noting that I didn’t have access to the specific Aeroe dry bags or "pods," so I just strapped a generic dry bag to the rack. It mostly stayed put, but the Aeroe bags have retaining straps that prevent slippage, meaning they don’t have to be as tight and potentially squash your sandwiches!
Since the rack is primarily a tough plastic cradle, I might eventually be tempted to drill holes and bolt things to it. Maybe light brackets, mudguards, or other bag fittings? Speaking of mudguards, an added bonus is that this rack doubles up as one too.
It’s also a handy place to lift your bike from. If you’re using side bags, you can carry your bike like a suitcase, which is quite handy for maneuvering through bogs and water crossings. Just make sure to check the rack's tightness if you do this often, as it's not designed to take the weight of a fully loaded bike in that direction.
Lots of bonus points for the total freedom of using a dropper post, too. For all us MTBers out there, other racks can get in the way, but with the Spider Rack, you’re never going to foul your saddle on a rack bag or similar. A total game-changer!
The Bottom Line
One point of feedback from other users is about the small parts involved in the installation process. The silicone straps and rubber bumpers can sometimes come loose during installation or removal, which can be a bit frustrating. Aeroe has addressed this in newer models by gluing the bumpers in place. My rack wasn’t affected by this issue, but if you get an older model, it’s worth checking that everything is intact. Lets fce it, if you lose the straps, thata human problem, not a product problem right?
The Spider Rear Rack's adaptability, ease of installation, and robust construction make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their bike’s carrying capacity without a complicated setup. It's a pretty damn good comprehensive and cost-effective starter pack. Especially for newbies who aren’t bogged down by potential bike-packing snobbery.
If you’re on the lookout for a reliable, versatile, and durable bike rack that can handle various biking adventures (and different bikes), the Aeroe Spider Rear Rack is definitely worth considering. It eliminates the need for special mounting points, making it highly adaptable. The user-friendly design ensures quick setup, while durable materials like high-grade stainless steel and powder-coated aluminium provide stability and longevity.
Multiple places for mounting stuff, endless clearence options to prevent heel catching and maintain rider comfort as well as the dropper post bonus make this way better than I would have imagined for suce a simple solution.
Despite a few minor inconveniences like the combined weight and small parts, the rack’s overall
benefits make it a strong contender for both hardened bike-packers and weekend warriors.
Visit my friends at I-Cyles Innerleithen here.
Visit the official Aeroe website here.
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