Novara Safari Front Rack? and Fenders?

[brad]

I could not resist picking up the safari at $660, even though as my wife points out i have one ass and six bikes.

What front rack works with the disc brake and what fenders are any other safari riders using?

Thanks,
Brad
jason.b.nicholson@us.army.mil

[Steven]

Old Man Mountain makes front racks that will with with front suspension forks with disk breaks. Go to:
 http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/FrontRacks.html

[rcrampton]

I saw that price last weekend, it's a great deal. I have a Safari and put an OMM rack on it. I'm almost 100% sure it's the Sherpa. I used rubber clamps around the forks to attach the rack.

It's tough to find fenders that fit as well. I ended up with Planet Bike fenders and did a couple of easy mods to make it stable on the front. My brother has a Safari and went a different route with fenders that he says fit better. I think these are the ones I have:

http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7007.html


Note that the Safari rear rack doesn't use stainless hardware and the construction isn't what I care for. I planned to use it for a few years before swapping it out but after < 2 years I had a bolt rust out a bit and fail. I had a tough time stopping creaks from the rear rack when I was riding as well.

I have a habit of riding my touring bikes off road and even on slightly technical single track, so I've smashed up the foam grip a bit on my Safari, too. I'll replace that with Fitzik shortly, which is more durable.

If you'd like some pics of anything on my bike just let me know. I talked to the guys at Arkel in Canada, they were very helpful with touring equipment for this bike.

I'm curious to see what you think of the Town & Country tires. I didn't like them at first but they've grown on me. I'd estimate I'll get nearly double the mileage on those that I get on the Continental Contact on my 700c bike. And they have actually performed OK on and off road. Not great in sandy trail, but serviceable.

hokypoky@teamhokies.com

This message was edited by rcrampton on 9-2-08 @ 8:19 PM

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I encountered the same dilema with my Safari. A lot of people have told me the Tubus Tara works well with the Safari, and the front rack on the bike in the video on REI.com is a Delta Shock Treatment, which would have worked. I decided it was too low for the type riding I do. I bought a Jandd Expedition front rack (They make a beautiful rear model too.) which didn't fit, but now Jandd makes adapter posts for it. I am waiting for them to arrive to make the install. (I put the Delta on the front of my Bianchi Volpe.) In the interim, I have been loading gear on the back rack of the bike and just going.



The Conti T&Cs used to be standard issue on police bikes. I ride on dirt roads a lot, and they have worked fine. I have a spare pair of WTB Allterrainasaurus waiting if the Conti tires don't work, but also scored my fastest speed ever on a bike on the Contis; 39.7 MPH. (Yeah, downhill. :8o: ) They seem to wear like iron. I notice the ACA store is selling Schwalbe Marathons now, as is the International Christian Cycling Club. I am seriously considering them, or I may just buy another pair of Contis, but that is a couple years down the pike.

Ride safe,
Hans

www.twowheeledexplorer.org

This message was edited by Trailpatrol on 9-3-08 @ 6:34 AM

[touringcyclist23]

Good price, how did you get it so cheap? I am looking for the same bike.

I could not resist picking up the safari at $660, even though as my wife points out i have one ass and six bikes.

What front rack works with the disc brake and what fenders are any other safari riders using?

Thanks,
Brad
jason.b.nicholson@us.army.mil

[Rep]

I think my question can be posted elsewhere and is more of a common one, but, as I have a Safari I will post it here.

I will be touring with a BOB trailer but am thinking a front rack and panniers may be needed to spread out the weight and provide some stability.

I do know that finding a proper rack is an issue with the Safari.  Does it matter what set of panniers one acquires?  Will panniers fit any rack, or, is it best to get the rack then fit the panniers to it?

Thanks