Are Nitto racks only available in silver?
I’ve heard that in the past, silver was the standard for bicycle parts, and black was rare and something to aspire to.
However, at some point, the situation reversed, and today, black color dominates almost all components.
Yet, I felt there were still places where the black color hadn’t fully penetrated. I went looking for things I could turn black, as if filling an Othello board entirely with black pieces. And so, following our commuter-style handlebars, here is Circles’ custom black series.
Our targets this time are items that support your daily life, as well as those who aim for and challenge themselves in far-off, unknown lands.
When you hang daily groceries or household goods on your handlebars, it can cause wobbling and poses a risk of getting caught in the front wheel. This not only damages what you’ve just bought but can also lead to wheel damage or major accidents.
Also, when you plan a big tour or camping trip, the amount of gear inevitably increases.
These are the items ready to support all of that—yes, I’m talking about racks!
Front / NITTO MT Campee F20 Front
【NITTO】 MT Campee F20 Front Black
Material: Chromoly tubing
Load capacity: 17kg
Top plate size: L250xW135mm
Weight: 1040g
Price: 27,500 yen (tax included)
Blacking out a classic front carrier
When you think of a front carrier for touring, you think of the Campee! So, we asked for the MT Campee F20 in black.
Crafted from chromoly tubing, it not only boasts overwhelming durability but also keeps its weight down to 1040g.
It is designed for 26-inch wheels, but it can also be mounted on 650b bikes. (Note: Depending on the bike model, installation may not be possible.)
It also comes fully equipped with support panels for pannier bags. Whether you’re hanging pannier bags or strapping luggage to the top deck, it will support you through a wide range of activities, from daily errands to camping tours.
With a load capacity of 17kg, it’s more than ready to carry 10kg of rice along with your other daily necessities.
Rear / NITTO MT Campee R20 Rear
【NITTO】 MT Campee R20 Rear Black
Material: Steel tubing
Load capacity: 17kg
Top plate size: L340 x W135mm
Weight: 780g
Price: 16,500 yen (tax included)
Of course, the rear Campee in black too!
The MT Campee R20 is another classic for rear touring carriers. We asked for this one in black as well.
It is designed for 26-inch wheels, but it can also be mounted on 650B or 700C bikes. (Note: Depending on the bike model, installation may not be possible.)
Whether you’re hanging pannier bags or strapping luggage to the top deck, it serves a wide variety of purposes from daily life to camping tours.
With a load capacity of 17kg, you can’t carry your precious children, but it will easily accommodate camping gear like a tent and a change of clothes—certainly enough to keep fueling your sense of adventure.
Light or Heavy?
Are you familiar with the term "ultralight"?
The concept was born from long-distance hiking, referring to using lightweight gear to keep your pack light, allowing you to walk through the mountains quickly and freely.
The same goes for bicycles, with this ultralight philosophy being fundamental to bike packing. By eliminating racks and the like used for carrying heavy items, you can head further away with lighter gear.
On the other hand, there are many things sacrificed when aiming for weight reduction. These include durability, high costs, and comfort.
While that may not be the case for hiking and mountaineering, I personally don’t think "heavy" is all that bad when it comes to bicycles. What you gain by attaching a rack is a lower center of gravity and stability while riding with the same amount of luggage, as well as the freedom to load whatever you want.
Bike packing is one method. Heavy-duty camping touring with front and rear racks is another way to play. We believe that making the right choices according to the roads you want to ride, the things you want to do, and how you use your bike is the most fun part of the act of playing with your gear.
