Front rack that will work without eyelets

[Ty0604]

I'm back with another question.....

I was trying to put on the front rack on my bike tonight when I realized there's no eyelets on my fork. Despite the fact Nashbar only sent half the instructions and said they'd work with no eyelets, they don't work without eyelets. They wont take them back either.

Do they make front racks that don't require eyelets? Even if so would it be cheaper just to buy a new fork with eyelets?

My fork is carbon so eyelets can't be welded on.

Any suggestions?

[Ty0604]

I'm seriously thinking about getting a trailer... Does anyone have any experience touring with a trailer? Pros, cons?

[John Nelson]

It's not generally advisable to put a rack on a carbon fork.

[Ty0604]

It's not generally advisable to put a rack on a carbon fork.

Good to know. Why is this? I think a trailer might be the way to go.

[DaveB]

I was trying to put on the front rack on my bike tonight when I realized there's no eyelets on my fork. Despite the fact Nashbar only sent half the instructions and said they'd work with no eyelets, they don't work without eyelets. They wont take them back either.

Do they make front racks that don't require eyelets? Even if so would it be cheaper just to buy a new fork with eyelets?

My fork is carbon so eyelets can't be welded on.

Any suggestions?

I don't know of any carbon fork with eyelets or intended to accept a rack so you will either need a new fork or a trailer.  It is possible to mount a rack on a fork (or frame) with no eyelets using "P-clamps" but I wouldn't advise it on a carbon fork in any event.

Are you sure Nashbar won't take that rack back?  Their return policy is usually very good.

[staehpj1]

I don't know of any carbon fork with eyelets or intended to accept a rack so you will either need a new fork or a trailer.  It is possible to mount a rack on a fork (or frame) with no eyelets using "P-clamps" but I wouldn't advise it on a carbon fork in any event.

I think that there is a perfectly acceptable way to mount a rack on a carbon fork.  You can get little adapter plates that use the quick release as the lower mounting.   The upper mounting can be either the brake bridge hole or the cantilever brake bosses depending on which one the fork you have uses.

There is also the option of using a bar roll or a maybe even handlebar bag instead, assuming that you are also carrying stuff on the back either on a rack or in a seat bag.

Are you sure Nashbar won't take that rack back?  Their return policy is usually very good.

Yeah, I was surprised that they wouldn't accept a return.  They have always taken stuff back when I was dissatisfied with it.

[Ty0604]

I don't know of any carbon fork with eyelets or intended to accept a rack so you will either need a new fork or a trailer.  It is possible to mount a rack on a fork (or frame) with no eyelets using "P-clamps" but I wouldn't advise it on a carbon fork in any event.

I think that there is a perfectly acceptable way to mount a rack on a carbon fork.  You can get little adapter plates that use the quick release as the lower mounting.   The upper mounting can be either the brake bridge hole or the cantilever brake bosses depending on which one the fork you have uses.

There is also the option of using a bar roll or a maybe even handlebar bag instead, assuming that you are also carrying stuff on the back either on a rack or in a seat bag.

Are you sure Nashbar won't take that rack back?  Their return policy is usually very good.

Yeah, I was surprised that they wouldn't accept a return.  They have always taken stuff back when I was dissatisfied with it.

Nothing on my back except a camelback. Can't use a handlebar bag due to the location of the brakes being on the inner handlebars. I would have to move them. I will have a rear rack and rear panniers. My brakes mount once in the middle of the fork above the tire. Sorry for not knowing the term of these brakes! Where would I find these adapter plates?

The rack and panniers from Nashbar were on clearance and therefore why they will not take the return.

[Ty0604]

Why is it advised to mount a rack and panniers on a carbon fork? Just curious... I think the trailer route is my best bet.

[DaveB]

I think that there is a perfectly acceptable way to mount a rack on a carbon fork.  You can get little adapter plates that use the quick release as the lower mounting.   The upper mounting can be either the brake bridge hole or the cantilever brake bosses depending on which one the fork you have uses.

I forgot about those dropout mounts and yes they would work.  The upper mount could either be padded P-clamps or, better, a bracket arching over the brake caliper and doubling up with the brake mounting bolt.  I've mounted rear racks using this type of bracket on bikes without seatstay braze-on fittings.

[staehpj1]

Nothing on my back except a camelback.

If you are referring to my comment, I think you might have misunderstood.  I was referring to stuff on the back of the bike, not your back.

Can't use a handlebar bag due to the location of the brakes being on the inner handlebars. I would have to move them.

If you are referring to interupter levers, a lot of handlebar bags work fine with those.  You don't need much space to use the levers and some handlebar bags have a long enough bracket.  This is especially true if the levers are angled down rather than straight forward.  Rotating them down may be needed.

I will have a rear rack and rear panniers.

Do I remember correctly that you are the guy with the super light bike who plans to carry 20 pounds of gear?  If so why would you need front and rear panniers?

My brakes mount once in the middle of the fork above the tire. Sorry for not knowing the term of these brakes!

You might google "Sheldon fender nut" for one solution with that style brakes.  The are usually used to mount fenders on road bikes, but can work for racks too.  You may need to fabricate your own bracket though.

Where would I find these adapter plates?

I think Old Man Mountain might sell them.  Some axiom racks use a plate like that, but I am not sure they sell them separately.  I think Tubus may also have something.

[RonK]

I don't know of any carbon fork with eyelets or intended to accept a rack...

I do - and I have one on my bike. Columbus Tusk Trekking

But a rack can be fitted to any fork by using skewer mounts and p-clamps.

[Ty0604]

Nothing on my back except a camelback.

If you are referring to my comment, I think you might have misunderstood.  I was referring to stuff on the back of the bike, not your back.

Can't use a handlebar bag due to the location of the brakes being on the inner handlebars. I would have to move them.

If you are referring to interupter levers, a lot of handlebar bags work fine with those.  You don't need much space to use the levers and some handlebar bags have a long enough bracket.  This is especially true if the levers are angled down rather than straight forward.  Rotating them down may be needed.

I will have a rear rack and rear panniers.

Do I remember correctly that you are the guy with the super light bike who plans to carry 20 pounds of gear?  If so why would you need front and rear panniers?

My brakes mount once in the middle of the fork above the tire. Sorry for not knowing the term of these brakes!

You might google "Sheldon fender nut" for one solution with that style brakes.  The are usually used to mount fenders on road bikes, but can work for racks too.  You may need to fabricate your own bracket though.

Where would I find these adapter plates?

I think Old Man Mountain might sell them.  Some axiom racks use a plate like that, but I am not sure they sell them separately.  I think Tubus may also have something.

I was referring to your comment. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Yup. 12lb bike and ~20lbs of gear but still have more gear than what will fit in one set of panniers. It's all super lightweight items. I decided to ditch the fenders so that is no longer a concern. I'll take a look for the adapter plates. I think I'm going with a trailer though!

[Ty0604]

I was trying to put on the front rack on my bike tonight when I realized there's no eyelets on my fork. Despite the fact Nashbar only sent half the instructions and said they'd work with no eyelets, they don't work without eyelets. They wont take them back either.

Do they make front racks that don't require eyelets? Even if so would it be cheaper just to buy a new fork with eyelets?

My fork is carbon so eyelets can't be welded on.

Any suggestions?

I don't know of any carbon fork with eyelets or intended to accept a rack...

I do - and I have one on my bike. Columbus Tusk Trekking

But a rack can be fitted to any fork by using skewer mounts and p-clamps.

How is that attached? Looks like it's screwed into the forks?

[RonK]

How is that attached? Looks like it's screwed into the forks?

Yes, that is what I'm telling you.

[Ty0604]

How is that attached? Looks like it's screwed into the forks?

Yes, that is what I'm telling you.

Got it! Thanks for the advice but will not be screwing anything into my forks. They were close to $500.