Racks for Wald Baskets

[Kat]

Hello everyone,

I'm on the lookout for a new front rack to hold a Wald 139 basket! Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm particularly looking for something that's:

- Silver (very important!)

- Preferably <1kg

- Under $300 AUD

- With a weight limit of at least 10kg/20lb

I thought the Surly 24 pack rack would be perfect but I've read that it's not compatible with V brakes - or at least very fiddly to fit. Anyone tried it?

Thanks,

Kathryn

[steven aussenberg]

I’m currently running a Mark’s rack and a 137, but the new basket rack from Tanaka/Soma looks pretty cool: 

https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/tanaka-liftloc-front-basket-rack-9131?category=954#attr=5440

[John Rinker]

Hey Kathryn,

I've got an RBW basket rack by Nitto on my Hunqapillar for extra carrying power, and a smaller Nitto mini front rack 32F on my Atlantis. Both support the Wald 139 very well. I use Voila straps to secure them.

Cheers, John

[Collin A]

RE: Surly rack. I had a surly 8-pack rack installed on my clem and later on my Joe using a 137. It worked fine with v-brakes since those forks had threaded bosses on the top of the crown, but yes, a bit fiddly on first install.

Another light-ish weight option that would do a good job of properly supporting such a large rack would be the tumbleweed T-rack:  Chromoly T Rack – Tumbleweed Bicycle Co.

Good Luck!

Collin in Bagtown

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 5:52:21 PM UTC-7 Kat wrote:

[Kat]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'm leaning towards the Tumbleweed T rack since it also comes in silver, and I like that I could mount Anything cages on the struts later on.

It seems a few people on the internet have put 139 baskets on the T rack but having only ever used baskets on full porteur racks before, I'm a little worried about Tumbleweed saying that the load "must be centered over the rack, and not overhanging/cantilevered off the end of the platform." Is this something to worry about with a basket? I probably wouldn't be loading anywhere close to the maximum 30lbs but the basket technically will be overhanging the sides.

[Bill Lindsay]

" Is this something to worry about with a basket?"

People are free to worry about whichever things they like.  Freedom to Fret is an inalienable right.  I think the T-Rack is a good choice, and if you use good fasteners, and keep a sensible eye on your setup, you should be able to keep it working for you.  Overloaded Wald Baskets tend to sag on the overhangs.  So if your basket remains square in shape, you aren't overloading it.  If your basket is sagging, then recalculate.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Dan]

Hi Kat,

I have the Memento Ant rack on my Appaloosa. It’s small, light, very sturdy and looks great. Made in Montreal by some very cool people. 

Works perfectly for a 137 basket but I’m not sure about a 139. As Bill said, might be fine for a distributed load! 

The cost is right on $300 aud including shipping too. 

https://www.clcycle.ca/en/porte-bagages-avant-memento-fourmi-v3-front-rack.html

[Father of Sam]

Hi Kat,

For a wald 139 I use a 5 rail Pass and Stow, built by Matt Feeney in Oakland, CA. I've had mine for 17yrs and counting. It supports a 139 completely for and aft, with just a little overhang on the sides.  It will carry quite a load. It is $295 USD, so likely a little over budget, but it's well worth it IMO.

 

Mine is one of the first he made.  (Here it is with a 139 on top.) If you look for a 139 wald basket on Blue Lug's website, they show it mounted to a Pass and Stow as well (better picture). They currently have integrated dynamo light wire routing and mount (on the right side).  Cross bars on legs can hold panniers.

Check 'em out:

https://passandstowracks.com/

Happy shopping!

-Peter

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 5:52:21 PM UTC-7 Kat wrote:

[Patrick Smith]

Pelago rack in either polished aluminum or stainless. Take your pick on size too:

https://pelagobicycles.com/commuter-front-rack-aluminium/

Smitty in DC 

[Conway Bennett]

I use a wald 137 with cargo net and fifth season (Analog) squall sack attached to a jack the bike rack rack.  It's very in secure your modular and transferable.

[Brian Turner]

I’m probably a bad example, but I’ve strapped Wald baskets to all sorts of racks; M-18, 32F, Mark’s Rack, etc. None have had any sort of safety strap or anything… just zip ties. No problems aside from the occasional rattle - but I cut sections of clear plastic tubing to cushion the rack before using zip ties and that cuts down on a lot of noise.

The Pelago racks are fantastic. Lots of options and configurations, and the prices are very reasonable. My wife has a Wald 137 attached to a Pelago Commuter rack with the optional lowrider stays for running panniers.

Brian
Lexington KY