[bikingsoul]

Does adding these to a steel frame and fork stiffen up the ride?
I like the way steel feels and dont want to ruin that feeling. Thanks to all that respond

 

[BrianMc]

Not in my experience on a long wheelbase (touring style) Schwinn circa mid 80's with SKS fenders and the steel Wald rear rack and a DIY aluminum front Porteur rack. It's the load that makes the ride different. So I switched out the old 27" (not quite round) wheels for 700C's and cassette and 35 mm instead of 28 mm tires. Not as sprightly when empty but way more comfortable and better handling loaded.

I suspect that if you went the full touring racks and 70+ pund loads and the frame was not built to take such loads, you'd be in trouble.

YMMV.

 

[Squash]

Does adding these to a steel frame and fork stiffen up the ride?
I like the way steel feels and dont want to ruin that feeling. Thanks to all that respond

Not at all. Racks and fenders are not structural so have little affect on the frame stiffness and ride. They do add some weight and wind resistance, but should have little affect on the ride when unloaded. Loaded, as BrianMC noted, is another story. It doesn't really affect the compliance of the frame, but it does affect handling, acceleration and braking quite a bit. If it is a touring frame the affect on handling will be minimal, but you will still have less acceleration due to higher wind resistance and weight, and heavier braking requirements due to increased wegight. Anway, they shouldn't bother the ride feel of the bike much.

Good Dirt