Author Topic: Front Rack Help  (Read 18197 times)

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Offline Macbeth

Front Rack Help
« on: February 25, 2010, 01:55:14 am »
Hi Everyone,

 I have been using a Bob Trailer predominantly for the last couple of years, but am going to go ride in Japan later this year and a trailer just seems like it's going to be a pain on trains, and definitely more hassle to fly there and back with....

 Looking for a recommendation for a front lowrider rack. It's to go on a Salsa Fargo, which has mounts at the dropout and halfway up the fork leg (on the inside and outside). Was considering Old Man Mountain Ultimate.... Good idea???

 Thanks in advance for help.

 Adam

Offline paddleboy17

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2010, 12:28:58 pm »
I have a Tubus Tara and I am happy with it.  I have also used JanD and Blackburn racks.
Danno

Offline am61

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2010, 12:54:54 pm »
I really like the Surly Nice racks.  The front rack is cool because you can use it as either a high rise or a low rise rack and it has a platform.  It is fairly heavy at around 3 lbs.  But it is totally bombproof.

-Aaron

Offline Tourista829

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2010, 04:30:38 pm »
Old Man Mountain is a very good choice because you have the option of putting your sleeping bag on top. I have a Tara rack from Tubus, which I like, works great with my Ortlieb bags. My sister and nephew are on their way to Japan. Have a good trip :)

Offline Spokey

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2010, 09:23:31 am »
I've used a Blackburn on my old Cannondale.  It is not the one with the hoop over the front wheel.  It is in two separate pieces that attach to each fork.  On the bottom, it attaches via an eyelet.  It has two sort of arms that go on either side of the fork so is only useful for bikes like the T700 that have a hole all the way through the fork rather than the one threaded hole.  Sounds like your fork might the same.

On my comotion, I use an Jannd Extreme.  I find that a very good rack.  It has a couple positions so you can hang your bags (I have an 8 or 9 year old set of Arkel GT24(?)s for the front) higher or lower.  It also has a platform like the typical rear rack to put stuff on top.  It is perfect for a 6-pack by the way.  The mounting on that is a braze on down by the axle.  It has a plate for the upper fork mounting that has a slot in it that should allow alignment with many forks.  This sounds like it should work with your fork too.

Offline fargoman

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2010, 12:37:06 pm »
I also have a Salsa Fargo, and have been trying to find a chromemoly non-lowrider style front rack (more ground clearance for off-road adventures) that doesn't interfere with the fork-mounted water bottle cages.  Most of the platform style front racks I've seen mount in such a way that part of the rack extends behind the fork blades, which interferes with fork-mounted bottle cages.  A custom made rack is one option if its within your budget.  Check out Sendero Cycles; the front rack on "Jack's Touring rig" (http://picasaweb.google.com/senderocycles/JackSTouringRig#5299071725174788946) mounts in front of the fork blades.  I have a Surly "Nice" rear rack that fits the Fargo very well and seems bombproof so far.  If you don't care about losing the ability to use your fork-mounted bottle cages, and want a front rack with a platform, then the Surly "Nice" front rack should work well.  Also, the Tubus lowrider rack would be a good choice if you aren't concerned with ground clearance for front panniers.  Enjoy exploring the world on your Fargo!

Offline funcycle21

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2010, 04:09:15 pm »
like paddleboy17 I also have a Tubus Tara. no complains here ;D
-Miami cyclist: Polar heart rate monitors? I use em...


Polar heart rate monitors progress

Offline ranger

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2010, 10:16:49 am »
I saw the photos on Fargoman's link to Sendero Cycles.  Does anyone have some photos of other brands of racks mounted on their Fargos? (Mainly the Front Rack)
(Surly Nice Racks, Old Man Mountain, Tubus, Nitto, Salsa coming in November, etc.)
I'd like to SEE how they fit and how much clearance there is on the disk brake and tire, & if they sit level.
Also if any custom modifications had to be made to mount them.

Thanks .
« Last Edit: October 16, 2010, 10:18:58 am by ranger »

Offline ezdoesit

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2010, 10:36:23 am »

 :)
Just installed this rack from Jannd  ;D
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FRLOW
and have the Ortileb front rollers on it and really like it. :)
Remember it's mind over matter
you don't mind it doesn't matter

Ride more Drive Less

Offline ranger

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2010, 11:53:15 pm »
What type of bike is it on?

Offline ezdoesit

« Last Edit: October 17, 2010, 08:16:39 am by ezdoesit »
Remember it's mind over matter
you don't mind it doesn't matter

Ride more Drive Less

Offline ranger

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2010, 09:03:31 am »
Nice lo rider, I see the Ortliebs really reflect light well.

Offline waynemyer

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Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #12 on: October 17, 2010, 10:41:05 am »
I am also curious what racks work well with disc brakes?  I keep reading that the Tubus Tara is one of the few, but have yet to see any pics of this.  I know that an OMM will do it, but I am not overly keen on their designs.
waynemyer.com
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Offline ezdoesit

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #13 on: October 17, 2010, 07:37:43 pm »
Nice lo rider, I see the Ortliebs really reflect light well.


 ;D ;D Thanks ranger  :) :) :)
Remember it's mind over matter
you don't mind it doesn't matter

Ride more Drive Less

Offline ranger

Re: Front Rack Help
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2010, 10:12:35 am »
I installed the Surly Nice Racks.
Rear was easy except the top rods were way too short, had to get some longer ones from Tubus.
Asked Surly if they had any but they said "no , maybe in a year or two".
Front was harder to adjust.
Used the spacers and washers in the package to get left arm or rack clear of brake.
Had to either rotate lower bracket till it was BELOW brake,
or add washers between bike and lower bracket to push left rack arm OUTBOARD of brake.
That way takes about 12 washers, not sure if it's as strong.
Tire clearance with rack at top of tire was:
-3/16 inch with  stock Continental Race King 29 x 2.2
-3/8 inch with Serfas Drifter 29 x 2.0
-1 inch with Kenda Kwik-Trax 700 x 38
Tried to attach fotos it but wouldn't work.