BIKE RACK INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO INSTALL AN ELKHORN

This rack is eyelet-mount ready out of the box. If your bike does not have upper and lower eyelets, we produce a full-line of Fit Kits for thru axles or QR skewers.

TOOLS NEEDED:

  • 3mm hex
  • 4mm hex
  • Torque wrench
  • 10mm box wrench
  • Anti-seize (preferred) or grease

If installing one of our Fit Kits that uses pucks, you will also need:

  • pliers or third hand tool
  • cable cutters or nail clippers
  • 5mm hex (for rear Fit Kit)
  • 6mm hex (for front Fit Kits)

Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts. This will prevent the bolts from, you guessed it, seizing and making it hard to remove the bolts down the road. Don’t worry, we use Nyloc nuts where needed to prevent bolts from loosening on their own.

STEP 1: ATTACH THE UPRIGHTS TO YOUR BIKE

Now select how you will attach the rack to your bike.

Place the provided 19mm spacer from Hardware Kit 10 (or C) between the uprights’ mounting holes and your frame or fork eyelets. THESE SPACERS ARE REQUIRED FOR EYELET MOUNTING. They protect your frame and strengthen the connection between the bolt and rack.

Elkhorn Bike Rack Installation

19mm Spacer Placement for Eyelet Installation

  • Attach the rack Uprights to your frame or fork eyelets using the bolts in Hardware Kit 10 (or C). The slots on the uprights should face the center of the bike. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

NOTE: If your bike does not have lower eyelets, we offer Fit Kits to mount your rack via thru axle or quick release.

ANOTHER NOTE: The bolts come with Loctite 242 already applied. If installing the bolts for a second time you will need to reapply Loctite 242 or grease.

  • Check that your bike and uprights are level, and snug up the hardware to hold the uprights in place while completing the next steps.

  • Remove your bike’s stock thru axle.
    Setup your thru axle to match your stock thru axle:
  • Compare your stock thru axle to the Robert Axle Project thru axle provided in your Fit Kit to verify they match. The axles’ thread pitch should match (Image J) and the shaft length should be within +/- 2 mm. Use enclosed spacers as needed to match the length and taper of your stock axle. See Image K.

Thru Axle Thread Comparison

Image J

Thru Axle Length Comparison

Image K

FRONT RACKS:

  • Apply grease to the shaft and threads of the Robert Axle and insert into your bike. For front axles use a 6mm hex key and torque to 10nm.
    Front axle tool angle instructions

    FRIENDLY REMINDER: Be sure to always keep your hex tools aligned with the hex broach. Inserting and torquing tools at an angle can damage tools and parts.

  • Attach your uprights to the axle. The side of the axle with the hex will use a 30mm bolt and lock washer from Hardware Kit 10 (or C). The other side will use a 20mm bolt and lock washer from Hardware Kit 4. The slots on the uprights should face the center of the bike. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

NOTE: The bolts come with Loctite 242 already applied. If installing the bolts for a second time you will need to reapply Loctite 242 or grease.

  • Check that your bike and uprights are level, and snug up the hardware to hold the uprights in place while completing the next steps.

REAR RACKS:

  • Apply grease to the shaft and threads of the Robert Axle and insert into your bike. Insert 5mm hex key into the cross hole in the Robert Axle end. Use the hex key as a lever and tighten to the equivalent of 12 Nm. Do NOT over tighten axle into frame.

  • Apply grease to the interior threads of the drive side of the Robert Axle.

  • Thread the remaining Axle End into the drive side of the axle. It should tighten flush against the frame and there should NOT be any gap between the frame and Axle End cap If there is a gap, you will need to install the enclosed washer on the drive-side. You may need to install a second washer to fill that gap on some bikes. Torque to 6 Nm. (Figure 4)

  • Attach your uprights to the axle using Hardware Kit 5. The slots on the uprights should face the center of the bike. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

  • Check that your bike and uprights are level, and snug up the hardware to hold the uprights in place while completing the next steps.

  • Remove your stock skewer from your bike, keeping your wheel in place.
  • Place your OMM rack on your bike and install the OMM QR Skewer through the rack Dropouts and your hub.The slots on the uprights should face the center of the bike. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.
  • Check that your bike and uprights are level, and snug up the QR to hold the uprights in place while completing the next steps.

STEP 2: ATTACH THE DECK

  • Ensure the uprights are aligned vertically and the bike is level to the ground.
  • The deck can be offset to the front or back by rotating it 180 degrees. This is often a personal preference used to give cables space or room for a dropper post to move past a bag mounted on the rack. We trust you to make the right choice for your bike.
Elkhorn Deck Orientation
  • The uprights can be attached to the inside or outside of the mounts on the deck. When mounting to the back of the bike you will likely mount to the outside and when mounting to the front you will likely use the inside.
Elkhorn Rack Upright position
  • Use Hardware Kit 8 to attach the deck to the uprights.

NOTE: The bolts come with Loctite 242 already applied. If installing the bolts for a second time you will need to reapply Loctite 242 or grease.

STEP 3: ATTACH THE EXTENDERS

Now select how you will attach the extenders to your bike.

  • If installing the rack on the front grab the 6-inch extenders. If installing the rack on the rear you will use the 14-inch extenders.
  • Attach the Extenders to the upper eyelets on your bike’s seat stays or fork using Hardware Kit 5. On some bikes, bending the Extenders is necessary to properly line up the extenders with the eyelets and/or the inside of the rack’s crossbars. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

PRO TIP: If bending the Extenders, we like to wrap them in a paper towel to protect the finish, and bend them in a vise to get nice, clean bends. If you don’t have a vice, your hands can also get the job done.

PRO TIP #2: If you are using the first of the two slots on the longer Extenders, you can use a hacksaw to cut off the second slot for a more streamlined look and to drop a few grams.

YET ANOTHER TIP: If you find your bike does not have upper eyelets, we have a seat post clamp mount or our Pucks which provide upper attachment points on any bike.

  • Use Hardware Kit 2 to attach the slotted end of the Extenders to the inside of the crossbars on the uprights. Snug them up, but do not torque them yet. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

Note: Uprights should only be attached to the slots on the uprights and not to the eyelets.

  • Check again to make sure rack is level and adjust the extenders as necessary.

If your frame or fork has upper eyelets, you use them to attach the Extenders. If your frame or fork does not have upper eyelets use the Pucks provided with your Fit Kit to attach the Extenders to your fork.

  • Locate where you want to install the Pucks onto your fork, and install the clear protective tape to those areas. The top of the pucks should be aligned with the rim or above. Mounting the pucks lower on the stays will put more strain on your bike’s seat stays.

NOTE: You will want to trim the tape so that it will not overlap BEFORE sticking it to your bike.

  • Install the Pucks to your fork or seat stays using our special ZipTies. The Puck should be oriented so the hex shaped pocket faces the wheel. The pucks will settle into place on the first ride so we recommend placing them at the top of the protective tape.

PRO TIP: Running the ZipTies under hot tap water will soften them and help them conform to the shape of your seat stays.

  • Pull ZipTies tight with a pair of pilers. Do not cut yet. Be sure to use the supplied ZipTies, they are far stronger than standard ZipTies, are UV stable, and do not ratchet so they can snug up as tightly as possible.
  • If installing the rack on the front grab the 6-inch extenders. If installing the rack on the rear you will use the 14-inch extenders.
  • Attach the Extenders to the pucks with Hardware Kit 6. On some bikes, bending the Extenders is necessary to properly line up the extenders with the eyelets and/or the inside of the rack’s crossbars.

PRO TIP: If bending the Extenders, we like to wrap them in a paper towel to protect the finish, and bend them in a vise to get nice, clean bends. If you don’t have a vice, your hands can also get the job done.

PRO TIP #2: If you are using the first of the two slots on the longer Extenders, you can use a hacksaw to cut off the second slot for a more streamlined look and to drop a few grams.

  • Use Hardware Kit 2 to attach the slotted end of the Extenders to the inside of the crossbars on the rack frame. Snug them up, but do not torque them yet. Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

Note: Uprights should only be attached to the slots on the uprights and not to the eyelets.

  • Check again to make sure rack is level and adjust the extenders as necessary.

STEP 4: FINAL CHECK AND HARDWARE TIGHTENING

Tighten up all the hardware to the following specifications.

  • M5 bolts (Eyelets) = 3 Nm
  • M6 bolts (Deck and Extenders) = 6 Nm
  • If you used Pucks, give the zip ties one more pull with a pair of pliers, then cut flush. (Nail clippers work well for a very flush cut).

We use Nyloc hardware where possible to ensure your rack stays securely and reliably attached to your bike on even the most rugged conditions but you should always double check all hardware and parts before each ride!

CONGRATS!

YOU’RE READY TO RIDE

TROUBLESHOOTING

Is your bike an independent thinker, unwilling to conform to bike industry norms? No problem! Our racks are incredibly adaptable and we have lots of tricks up our sleeve for strange bike fits.

For any fitment issues email us via [email protected]. We almost certainly have a solution to fit your bike and are quick to reply.