Non-Nitto Front Rack Recommendations

[Cecily Walker]

I'm interested in putting a front rack (to be used under a Wald basket) on the front of my Betty Foy. While I love the Nitto racks, I don't have Nitto money.  Can anyone recommend a nice looking, functional front rack that won't add too much bulk/weight to the front end? I'm eyeballing the Velo-Orange Randonneur front rack, but I've not been able to find much written about it online.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[David Spranger]

It is a very good rack, though can be a bear to install. I have one mounted on my Ram. FYI, you will not be able to mount it to the midpoint braze-ons on the fork of your Betty Foy. You will need to use the P-clamps supplied with the rack. On my wife's Betty, I used the VO Constructeur rack instead, as it will mount on the drop-out braze-ons.

Good luck.

David

Charlotte, NC

[Steve Palincsar]

On 09/29/2013 06:23 PM, Cecily Walker wrote:

I'm interested in putting a front rack (to be used under a Wald basket) on the front of my Betty Foy. While I love the Nitto racks, I don't have Nitto money.  Can anyone recommend a nice looking, functional front rack that won't add too much bulk/weight to the front end? I'm eyeballing the Velo-Orange Randonneur front rack, but I've not been able to find much written about it online.

I have one of these on my Velo Orange Randonneur.  Mine's 5 years old now, but I think the current production are essentially the same.  The salient points are mentioned on VO's store site  http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/racks-decaleurs/racks/vo-randonneur-front-rack-stainless-steel.html

This rack does not mount to low-rider bosses or on canti-brake bikes. It requires eyelets on the fork blades or p-clamps.  If your fork doesn't have brazed on eyelets be about 3.75" below the bottom of the fork crown you'll need to use P clamps.  The rack is stainless, so if you have to cut the tang be advised, you don't saw stainless with any old hacksaw blade.  If you don't have a blade made for stainless you will saw and saw and saw for a half hour and all you will do is polish the tang.  I learned this the hard way.  The tang at the back is attached to the fender boss under the fork crown, or you may use the included fork crown daruma. The tang may also be bent up and attached to the brake bolt.   On some small sized frames you may have to remove the tang entirely; in most situations you will have to bend it to the proper shape to fit your fork.  There may be some repeated attempts involved before you get it just right (again, I learned this the hard way).

It's a fine rack for supporting a handlebar bag.  You can bolt up one of the upside-down Edelux headlights Compass sells right to one of the front eyelets on the rack.

[Dan McNamara]

A Mark's Rack M-1 (or the M-18) is really the way to go for your purpose on a Betty. Maybe there is one out there used for you?

Not sure that the struts on the VO Randonneur rack will hit the Betty fork braze-ons properly. The distance VO suggests is 3.75 inches below the fork crown and I measure them at about 5.5 inches on Amy's Betty.

Another option would be the Soma front rack. It mounts at the front fork dropouts and behind the fork so should work. Not sure how high it would sit on a 650B frame though. But it is inexpensive.

Link to Soma: http://store.somafab.com/somialfrra.html

Link to a review: http://epicureancyclist.com/review-soma-mini-front-rack-boxy-but-good/

Good luck. 

Dan

-Marin

On Sep 29, 2013, at 3:23 PM, Cecily Walker <cecily...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm interested in putting a front rack (to be used under a Wald basket) on the front of my Betty Foy. While I love the Nitto racks, I don't have Nitto money.  Can anyone recommend a nice looking, functional front rack that won't add too much bulk/weight to the front end? I'm eyeballing the Velo-Orange Randonneur front rack, but I've not been able to find much written about it online.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Christopher Chen]

I have a surplus Mark's rack that could be yours...

On Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Cecily Walker <cecily...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm interested in putting a front rack (to be used under a Wald basket) on the front of my Betty Foy. While I love the Nitto racks, I don't have Nitto money.  Can anyone recommend a nice looking, functional front rack that won't add too much bulk/weight to the front end? I'm eyeballing the Velo-Orange Randonneur front rack, but I've not been able to find much written about it online.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

--
"I want the kind of six pack you can't drink." -- Micah

[Cecily Walker]

Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions, everyone. I wouldn't be installing the rack myself, but the last thing I want to do is tick off the guys at the bike shop. :-D

[Will]

Cicily,

You might want to investigate a rear rack:  lots of quality/value selection, almost always easier installation, and (very big bonus) you can use Wald folding panniers...

Here's an interesting review...

http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2010/05/wald-rear-folding-baskets-up-close.html

Will

[Montclair BobbyB]

Have you considered just the Wald basket (with the included stays and mount)?  It may seem less glamorous, but it's very functional (and inexpensive)... plus you can spray paint it to match or complement your bike's color, and even add some inexpensive wood slats to give it that customized finish.  BB

[Cecily Walker]

I had considered that, but was concerned about it affecting the bike's handling.

[Cecily Walker]

Hi Will,

I have a rear rack, and I have a couple of Wald rear folding baskets, but I find that most days, I'd really like to have things handy and easily accessible up front so I don't have to dismount to grab something from the rear.

- Cecily

[Steve Palincsar]

Unless the basket w/stays is wobbly, wouldn't the total weight on the front be the main factor affecting handling?  I'd guess that would be the same for basket plus included stays vs rack with basket on top of it.

[Cecily Walker]

I suspect you're right, but this is all new to me. I also have a cyclist friend (racer/mountain biker) who insists that I shouldn't put a basket on the front of my bike because of handling. That said, she's never ridden a bike like a Rivendell, so maybe she's uninformed. ;)

[Deacon Patrick]

With my vertigo, I really notice any shifting that happens, either the basket or within the basket. My threshold of tolerance is nonexistent, which benefits you in knowing that, yes, wobble does effect handling, but not noticeably effect handling until your own personal tolerance threshold is crossed. But such wobble could contribule unnoticed to riding fatigue or simply perceived "sluggish" or "erratic handling." Tightly strapping things to the front rack in a tight canvas roll, I had no issues with my vertigo.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Christopher Chen]

Isn't that the dirty little secret about Rivendell bicycles?

They're not the best at handling heavy loads up high in front. They like weight in the back.

Too much weight up high and you'll notice shimmy, and riding without hands becomes impossible.

That said, having a basket up in front is a great thing, always! That means keeping the front load at or under the recommended limit for the Mark's rack: 3.3 lbs.

cc

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Ryan]

I suspect that might be generally true of most bikes

[Steve Palincsar]

On 09/30/2013 05:52 PM, Cecily Walker wrote:
> I suspect you're right, but this is all new to me. I also have a
> cyclist friend (racer/mountain biker) who insists that I shouldn't put
> a basket on the front of my bike because of handling. That said, she's
> never ridden a bike like a Rivendell, so maybe she's uninformed. ;)

Certainly a Rivendell is more tolerant of baskets on the front than a
typical "modern road bike." Can't speak to mountain bikes. However,
regarding handling: usually you don't ride a bike with a basket on the
front the same way or on the same kind of rides that you would do with a
road bike. The two could be as non-comparable as comparing the handling
of a UPS truck with a sports car.

[Cecily Walker]

The "up high" thing was the first thing I noticed about mounting Wald baskets with the struts instead of anchoring it to a rack. The baskets seemed really high up, and it looks as if I'd have to anchor the basket to my handlebars. No bueno.

[Mike]

Save your money and get one of these:

http://www.passstow.com

--mike

[Steve Palincsar]

On 09/30/2013 06:51 PM, Mike wrote:
> Save your money and get one of these:
>
> http://www.passstow.com
>

At $250 ea it would seem as though their racks are far more expensive
than the alternatives that have been discussed in this thread.

[Evan Baird]

I've been working on a new mini rack for Soma called the Champs Elysee. They aren't due in for a couple months, but if you're still in the market when they show up you should take a look.

It mounts to the standard Nitto/Riv braze ones, but it'll also include p-clamps. The tongue is adjustable so you can make sure the platform is level.

On Sunday, September 29, 2013 3:23:22 PM UTC-7, Cecily Walker wrote:

[Philip Williamson]

I prefer my basket low and close, but the Quickbeam handles a basket load just fine. I don't notice the empty basket (on a Nitto M12) affecting the handling.

I did once have a Wald quick release basket that mounts to the handlebars. I bent the mounts (metal handlebar straps) so they went straight down, and zip-tied the bottom of the basket to the front brake. That made everything feel a lot more secure, but still had the ugly mounts on the bar. 

A Wald decaleur would be something...

Philip

www.biketinker.com

[Patrick Moore]

The real question is, how much load can a typical Rivendell handle in front. I've happily carried circa 5 lb in one of those old fashioned, '70s-style bar bags that slip onto a steel wire support that fits around handlebar and stem -- VO used to sell one, and I have one for sale if anyone is interested. The rack puts the bag high and forward. This small amount of weight -- perhaps 7 lb total when you include bag and support -- doesn't hurt even the handling of my custom '99 gofast, with small, skinny wheels, too much. 

But 20 lb loads? Or the typical 30-45 lb loads I carry in the rear on my Ram and '03? That would be a very different story -- even most low trail bikes can't handle that sort of load in the front alone; so I understand: the porteurs that smoothly carry 50 lb newspaper loads on a front rack are specialized even among low trail bikes, are they not? Certainly my erstwhile '58 Herse was unhappy with more than, say, 15 lb in front.

A few year's back, when all the furor over front loading and low trail first surfaced, I myself tried, twice, the largest Wald -- the Newsboy. What a great basket, on the right bike -- nothing more convenient. But without the right geometry, once again, when you broke 10 - 15 lb, the handling was bad. (Igot carried away and tested both bikes/Newsboy combos with 2 large cinderblocks: 56 lb. I actually managed to ride them for 1/4 mile or so, so loaded. That was funny!)

I know front loading is (1) very convenient and (2) very fashionable, but IME with five different Rivendell bicycles, Rivs don't like heavy front loads.

On Mon, Sep 30, 2013 at 5:31 PM, Philip Williamson <philip.w...@gmail.com> wrote:

I prefer my basket low and close, but the Quickbeam handles a basket load just fine. I don't notice the empty basket (on a Nitto M12) affecting the handling.

I did once have a Wald quick release basket that mounts to the handlebars. I bent the mounts (metal handlebar straps) so they went straight down, and zip-tied the bottom of the basket to the front brake. That made everything feel a lot more secure, but still had the ugly mounts on the bar. 

A Wald decaleur would be something...

--

RESUMES THAT GET YOU NOTICED!

Certified Resume Writer
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html

patric...@resumespecialties.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/

Albuquerque, NM

[Christopher Chen]

I think I've also come to temper my expectations.

First s24o with front load:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumachrome/8727930319/in/set-72157634679393425

Probably close to 5 lbs on the front end. Noticeable shimmy when getting out of the saddle.

Next attempt, this time with a irish strap pulling the front of the basket towards the handlebar stem:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumachrome/9114580862/in/set-72157634278404988

This was a lot better: The shimmy went away and I was able to climb and descend without issue. This suggested to me that it's the rigidity of the rack that was to blame.

Finally, when the big front rack went on sale:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumachrome/9411592963/in/photostream/

A twelve pack of stubby glass bottles. It's true that I'm not going without hands on this one, but the bike rode solidly, and other than the sound of the bottles clanging together, delivery was successful.

I've settled on the following set up, in time for my big tour:

Bulky, but light items in the front panniers, nice and low.

Everything heavy in the back, in the large saddlesack.

Basket mostly empty, but as a great place to put rain gear, groceries I picked up along the way, and as a platform for my map:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumachrome/9946346686/in/set-72157635903695075

Of course, this turns out to be pretty damn nice. I can carry BIG maps. The basket net is a bit annoying, I'll have to figure out an easier way.

My $0.02.

cc

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Cecily Walker]

I will, Evan. Thanks!

[Cecily Walker]

I'm basically looking for something that will carry my frou-frou Vera Bradley messenger bag, the occasional library book, an e-reader, my micro 4/3 camera, and a scarf/extra pair of gloves. The rear folding baskets and rack are for heavier loads.

[Larry H]

Let me know if you need p clamps. I have many spares available.

[EGNolan]

A hack saw & drill will make quick work of the stays on a wald basket. The shop should be able to do this for far less than a Nitto rack. Even if the go down to the dropout, they can be made to pu the basket low & level...
http://m.flickr.com/photos/ericgnolan/9686372143/lightbox/

[Cecily Walker]

Thanks to Christopher Chen, I'll soon be the owner of a Mark's Rack.  Thanks, Christopher!

[Ron Mc]

good choice.  

late to the party and only applies if you have centerpull brakes, but the Diacompe Ene brake-bolt-mounted rack is a good snug-point for a basket, and about $50.  

here it is on my buddy's very classy Univega rebuild - one of the few mass market classic mixte frames made with Cr-Mo.