Front pannier racks

[awcscot]

Any suggestions for front pannier racks that will accommodate disk brakes? I just bought a Navaro Mazama.  Local REI store not much help.

[planeguy5]

I purchased a Novara Mazama back in February and fit it with a front rack just last week. It's a Nashbar front rack, and only cost me $15 on Amazon (www.amazon.com/Nashbar-Front-Rack/dp/B00D8CGKLA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461890428&sr=8-2&keywords=nashbar+bike+rack).

It was relatively easy to fit and, despite the price, seems to be pretty well made. I am using it to carry two 15L Axiom panniers on my upcoming TransAm trip. The only quirks I've found are that in order to take off the front wheel you must take out the wheel skewer, and that to fit the rack properly, it must be canted back by about 10 degrees. I'll attach some images if possible.

Best of luck. It's a fun bike!

Jeremy

[planeguy5]

Here are a few images.

[indyfabz]

A bit dated, but:

http://biketourings.com/blog/disc-compatible-front-bike-touring-racks-twenty-five-year-old-fork-saves-the-day-by-rideon

[RussSeaton]

I would guess I have the same Nashbar rack mentioned in the prior reply.  I do not have disk brakes.  My rack does not tilt backwards as in the previous pictures.  I mount my rack to a fork eyelet behind the dropout, not out in front.  I end up with much less hoop over the front of the tire.  Rack hoop and tire are much closer together.  What fork you have, how you mount it to the eyelets, where the fork mount is located, all will change how the rack mounts.

[awcscot]

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can find them.

[macphisto23]

Hello,

I just purchased this bike - can anyone recommend me some good rear racks that will fit this bike? And if there are any new front racks that you know of, that would be good information.

Also, do pretty much all panniers fit any rack - will I be safe buying my panniers before I have the racks?

Cheers!

[planeguy5]

I've got a blackburn rack on the rear that's working great. I don't remember the model, but it was around $50. The Nashbar front rack is holding up really well too. I've made it from Astoria to central Missouri and haven't had any issues!
As for panniers fitting racks, I'm not sure. Any others have some input?

[RonK]

Ortlieb panniers will definitely fit Tubus racks and you'll have the gold standard in both.

[Pat Lamb]

Also, do pretty much all panniers fit any rack - will I be safe buying my panniers before I have the racks?

Unfortunately not.  You'll run into two problems.  At the top, some rack manufacturers have a flange (presumably for additional stiffness), which can prevent panniers with wrap-around top hooks from securely latching to the rack.  At the bottom, some bungee'd bags need a projection to hook on, which not all racks provide - or not necessarily in the right place.

Try before you buy.  If that's not possible, RonK's Ortlieb/Tubus combinations will almost certainly fit.  Finally, you might give Wayne a call at thetouringstore.com.  Wayne is awesome, and I haven't seen a plug for him lately!

[driftlessregion]

Gunnar makes their Grand Tour Disc to work specifically with Tubus Tara so maybe REI did too.

[macphisto23]

I've got a blackburn rack on the rear that's working great. I don't remember the model, but it was around $50. The Nashbar front rack is holding up really well too. I've made it from Astoria to central Missouri and haven't had any issues!
As for panniers fitting racks, I'm not sure. Any others have some input?

Thanks for the info. If you don't mind me asking - What panniers are you using? What is your current setup?

cheers

[macphisto23]

Ortlieb panniers will definitely fit Tubus racks and you'll have the gold standard in both.

Those tubus racks look nice - but too expensive for me.

cheers

[macphisto23]

Also, do pretty much all panniers fit any rack - will I be safe buying my panniers before I have the racks?

Unfortunately not.  You'll run into two problems.  At the top, some rack manufacturers have a flange (presumably for additional stiffness), which can prevent panniers with wrap-around top hooks from securely latching to the rack.  At the bottom, some bungee'd bags need a projection to hook on, which not all racks provide - or not necessarily in the right place.

Try before you buy.  If that's not possible, RonK's Ortlieb/Tubus combinations will almost certainly fit.  Finally, you might give Wayne a call at thetouringstore.com.  Wayne is awesome, and I haven't seen a plug for him lately!

Good info...thanks.

I won't have a chance to try before buying due to my situation - so at the moment looking for combos that work

cheers

[ZiZohn]

My son just got an Axiom front rack that fit his 2004 Giant touring bike. It has disc brakes. It was new and I think he spent $29 on Ebay for it. Put it on his bike and seems to work OK.