HOW TO INSTALL AN
IMPALA LOWRIDER

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:

  • 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
  • Scissors
  • 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.

old man mountain impala lowrider front bikepacking rack

STEP 1: ASSEMBLE THE RACK

  • The Uprights of the Rack have an outside and an inside face. The inside has the concave shape to the Upright and should face the fork. We don’t refer to the Uprights as Left or Right as you will understand later in the install.
  • Using Hardware Kit 8 attach the Uprights to the outside of the threaded barrels on the Deck.
    • Take each M6x16mm bolt and install a split lock washer and an M6 washer on the bolt, in that order. Once all four bolts have a split lock washer and an M6 washer, pass the bolts through the eyelets on the Uprights and into the threaded barrels on the deck. Tighten all four M6 bolts until you see the split lock washer flatten between the head of the bolt and the M6 washer.

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 2: ATTACH THE DROPOUTS (to the Eyelets, Axle or QR)

  • Impala Lowrider Dropouts have an Offset and a Standoff:
Impala Lowrider Dropout
  • The Standoff provides clearance for the axles and fork. The Standoff needs to face inwards towards the Axle.
  • The Offset allows for fore/aft adjustment of the rack on the fork. The Dropout offset and the offset of the Deck allow two ways to adjust the position of the rack/cargo in relation to your fork.

Now select how you will attach the bottom of the rack to the bike.

  • Take two M5 x 35mm bolts from Hardware Kit 3. Install one M5 split lock washer onto each bolt.
    Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.
  • Next, add the Dropout, with the standoff pointing toward the fork, and and then the 19mm spacer.
  • Secure the Dropouts to the eyelets so that the pair of bolt holes of the Dropouts are vertically aligned. Tighten the bolts to hold the Dropouts in place while completing the next steps.

  • Remove your bike’s stock thru axle.
  • Set up your Fit Kit 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 and the shaft length should be within +/- 2 mm. Use enclosed spacers as needed to match the length and taper of your stock axle.Axle comparison graphic
    • Apply grease to the shaft and threads of the Robert Axle and insert into your bike. Use a 6mm hex key and torque to 10nm.
  • Take the two M5 x 20mm bolts from Hardware Kit 4 and place one M5 split lock washer on each bolt. Use the two bolts to secure the Dropouts to the thru axle so that the pair of bolt holes on the Dropouts are vertical. This will hold the Dropouts in place while completing the next steps.Don’t forget to apply anti-seize (preferred) or grease to all bolts.

  • Remove your stock QR 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.
  • Secure the Dropouts to the fork using the provided quick release skewer from our Fit Kit. The Dropouts should be orientated such that the bolt holes are vertical. Clamp the QR Skewer tight enough to hold the Dropouts in place while completing the next steps.

STEP 3: CHOOSE THE BEST ORIENTATION FOR THE RACK

  • The beauty of the modular design of the Impala Lowrider Rack is the great adjustability allowing for fitments on a massive variety of forks and bike geometry.
  • The Deck has a slight offset built into it. This offset can be used to adjust the position of the Deck relative to the bike’s handlebars fore/aft by rotating the entire rack 180 degrees. This is often a personal preference used to provide room for your cargo, our Basket, or give your cables space. We trust you to make the right choice for your bike.
    Impala Deck Offset

    Impala Deck Offset

  • Additionally, the entire Rack can be adjusted fore/aft by rotating the Dropouts offset around the Axle 180 degrees. Typically you want the panniers to be as close to centered on the axle as possible to maintain the best bike handling. If you find there is interference with the Rack frame and your fork, a forward position of the Dropouts will resolve this. We trust you to make the right choice for your bike.
  • Secure the Dropouts to the Eyelets/Axle or QR to your desired position.

STEP 4: ATTACH THE RACK TO THE DROPOUTS

  • Lower the rack over the wheel and onto the Dropouts, aligning the holes on the Upright with the holes of the Dropout.
  • Position the Rack so that it is as low as it can be while maintaining adequate clearance between Deck and your tire. Remember to leave extra space if using a fender. A minimum of 10mm is recommended.
    Impala rack height gif
  • Using Hardware Kit 14 secure the Dropouts to the Uprights.
    • Place one M6 washer on each M6 x 20mm bolt. Put one M6 bolt through each eyelet of the Dropout. Place a second M6 washer on each M6 bolt, followed by an M6 nyloc nut. Tighten each nut down until the nut snugs the Dropout against the rack Uprights.
    • The offset portion of the Dropouts can attach either inside or outside of the rack Uprights. Place the Dropouts on the surface of the Upright that causes the least amount of flex on the Uprights. We expect that a certain amount of flex to the Uprights will be necessary and this is just fine.
  • Snug the hardware so that the rack stays in place – we will torque everything later.

STEP 5: ATTACH THE EXTENDERS

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

  • Using Hardware Kit 5 attach the Extenders to the upper fork eyelets using the hole on the Extender. The slotted end of the Extender will attach to the Rack.
    • 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.

YET ANOTHER TIP: If you find your bike does not have upper eyelets, we offer our Pucks which provide upper attachment points on any fork.

  • 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.
  • Check again to make sure rack is level and adjust the extenders as necessary.
  • Snug the hardware so that the rack stays in place – we will torque everything later.

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

  • The top of the pucks should be aligned with the rim of your wheel. Locate where you want to install the Pucks onto your fork, clean the area and then install the clear protective tape around your fork leg.
    Clear protective tape being lined up on a carbon bike fork and a dotted line showing that it should be cut just before they overlap.

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

  • Get the Pucks and our supplied ZipTies ready to install. We make the following styles:
    Mounting Pucks Type A and B– PUCK A should be installed with the hex nut slot facing your wheel. Use with Hardware Kit 6
    – PUCK B needs to have the threaded barrel inserted into the Puck before attaching it to the fork. Use with Hardware Kit 7
  • The pucks will settle into place on the first ride so we recommend placing them at the top of the protective tape.
  • Install the Pucks using our special ZipTies. 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.

    PRO TIP: Putting the ZipTies, head down in a cup of hot water will soften them and help them install even easier.

  • Attach the Extenders to the pucks with Hardware Kit 6 for Puck A, or Kit 7 for Puck B.
  • 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.

     

     

  • 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.
  • Check again to make sure rack is level and adjust the extenders as necessary.
  • Snug the hardware so that the rack stays in place – we will torque everything later.

STEP 6: 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.