Front Rack Recommendations

I have been considering adding a front rack to my commuter for carrying various things that don't fit conveniently in the rear panniers I use every day. Does anybody have any recommendations?

I'm looking more for a larger cargo style front rack, like this or this, rather than a front rack for panniers.

I'm curious about anyone's experience with racks like this, or with smaller front racks (like this one from Nitto).

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Permalink Reply by J on December 11, 2009 at 7:14am
I build a dozen or so bikes each year with front racks. Know that cargo/porteur styled racks are designed for bicycles intended for front loads. So I generally try to be careful about things like fork trail, bb height, and wheelbase when installing porteur racks.

Mini racks like the M12 and M18 are of course primarily designed for use with handlebar bags, but lately folks have taken to weird things like using zip ties to attach metal or wicker baskets. Rivendell and others have designed little tiny M12-compatible bags -- these are super stylish but really not that practical.

Your bike is probably too nice for this, but Wald baskets are in many ways more functional than porteur racks, at least when used in conjunction with a rear rack and panniers. (And they've recently released some nicer ones with wooden slats.) The reason is that with baskets, you just drop in your items and go, whereas with racks, it's always a question of, how do I strap this thing down? Is the platform big enough, or is it going to fall? Porteur racks really shine when used as a platform to carry very heavy items -- but again, it depends on your bike's geometry, fork, etc. In this category, though not as pretty as the VO/Gamoh, the CETMA racks are a very nice option.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for style for style's sake -- but I know from experience that a lot of people get front racks thinking that they'll use them a lot, and end up either removing them, replacing them, or just appreciating them for their beauty.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 11, 2009 at 7:53am
J said:
I build a dozen or so bikes each year with front racks. Know that cargo/porteur styled racks are designed for bicycles intended for front loads. So I generally try to be careful about things like fork trail, bb height, and wheelbase when installing porteur racks.

Mini racks like the M12 and M18 are of course primarily designed for use with handlebar bags, but lately folks have taken to weird things like using zip ties to attach metal or wicker baskets. Rivendell and others have designed little tiny M12-compatible bags -- these are super stylish but really not that practical.

All good points. And when I really start thinking about carrying cargo, I start convincing myself that I need something like the bakefiets from Larry vs. Harry or Metrofiets. If only I had a ready place to keep such a gem.
Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on December 11, 2009 at 8:44am
I guess the first thing to distinguish is if the items you are looking to carry are too large to fit in your existing panniers or that the panniers are just too full to fit anything else? In the latter case, a front rack bag (http://tinyurl.com/y8g9k84) is really great. I have the precursor to the linked bag (essentially the same). While it is a fair amount of $ for what you get, I have come to find it a real gem. Not much space, but plenty of room for displacement. You can put all the essentials up front and leave the rear panniers open for the bulky/heavier items.
I agree that the large front cargo racks you link to could easily ruin your ride if loaded like they were designed to be.

Are you looking to create a light SUV bike or a tractor trailer hauler? haha.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 11, 2009 at 9:22am
I bought a nashbar front rack and zipped tied a wald basket to it, like J was mentioning. It turned out great and only cost less than $30 all said and done.

Here's the bike right before tour

or like this http://russroca.blogspot.com/2008/06/s24o-setup.html
(not my blog)
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 11, 2009 at 9:36am
oh yea, and here's my bike using the same model rack with my homemade handlbar bag.
Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on December 11, 2009 at 9:43am
Wow,

you're willing to pay a pretty penny for what I've been able to build out of junk from the alley, such as oven racks or soda crates.



These racks are very strong (I've stood in the back rack of the yellow bike) and will carry as much as is about possible with out a trailer. Like J said though, your bike is probably too nice for this. I tend to think though that just about anyone who is carrying cargo on their bike, especially in the winter, looks like a bum (and I'm happy to count myself)! Having a bum bike has it's advantages though, such as keeping things in shopping bags in crates on your bike is pretty secure in that very few people are interested in going through a bum bike's bags.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 11, 2009 at 9:50am
Kelvin Mulcky said:
oh yea, and here's my bike using the same model rack with my homemade handlbar bag.

It looks as though there is some weight in that bag you have on the Nashbar rack. Have you had any issues with how that rack mounts to your brake studs?
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 11, 2009 at 9:55am
Umm, you're bikes are great! I would never refer to them as "bum bikes." I particularly like the brown bike with the racks you crafted out of oven racks. Very nicely done.

My real problem with having a special bike like that is limited storage space. I'm not willing to simply park them outside my building, and I have limited space in my building's bike room.

That oven rack bike is pretty sweet, however.

Bikefreeek said:
Wow,

you're willing to pay a pretty penny for what I've been able to build out of junk from the alley, such as oven racks or soda crates.

These racks are very strong (I've stood in the back rack of the yellow bike) and will carry as much as is about possible with out a trailer. Like J said though, your bike is probably too nice for this. I tend to think though that just about anyone who is carrying cargo on their bike, especially in the winter, looks like a bum (and I'm happy to count myself)! Having a bum bike has it's advantages though, such as keeping things in shopping bags in crates on your bike is pretty secure in that very few people are interested in going through a bum bike's bags.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 11, 2009 at 9:57am
No issues with either of those bikes. I could bike confidently with no hands. I put all my densely weighted items in the front bag; tools, food, water, etc. to help balance the load with the rear.

Some bikes like a front loading. My old french road bike definitely does and it feels faster with a nice load up front

Joe said:
Kelvin Mulcky said:
oh yea, and here's my bike using the same model rack with my homemade handlbar bag.

It looks as though there is some weight in that bag you have on the Nashbar rack. Have you had any issues with how that rack mounts to your brake studs?
Permalink Reply by J on December 11, 2009 at 12:43pm
Bikefreeek said:
>>oven racks or soda crates.

That is so funny. I made my very first porteur rack in college by welding some struts to an oven rack. Unfortunately, my housemates weren't too keen on the idea.
Permalink Reply by Andrew McComb on March 7, 2010 at 12:11pm
I can now make custom racks for anyone interested. Whatever type or size. Here is how the first one went:

Porteur Rack

Test run on the new rack
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 7, 2010 at 1:15pm
Alex - These are awesome. Very creative use of oven racks. I love all the color on yellow one with the crates. :)

Bikefreeek said:
Wow,

you're willing to pay a pretty penny for what I've been able to build out of junk from the alley, such as oven racks or soda crates.



These racks are very strong (I've stood in the back rack of the yellow bike) and will carry as much as is about possible with out a trailer. Like J said though, your bike is probably too nice for this. I tend to think though that just about anyone who is carrying cargo on their bike, especially in the winter, looks like a bum (and I'm happy to count myself)! Having a bum bike has it's advantages though, such as keeping things in shopping bags in crates on your bike is pretty secure in that very few people are interested in going through a bum bike's bags.

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