Next Upgrade for "Michigan Man": a front rack

[Bill Lindsay]

I've been riding my Crust Florida Man this week here in Michigan.  I come out every month for a few days at a time for work, and each visit I can get 50-80 miles in.  

On this visit, the big changes have been Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge 700x42 knobbies, which do great on pavement, crap pavement, and gravel.  I also have installed SPD pedals, which also are great.  

Now, my focus is on a better cargo carrying solution.  I have a very small, practically free handlebar bag, but it hits my centerpull brake cable and it's too small.  What I want is a front rack.  I will probably borrow a Nitto 27F from my other Michigan-bike and life will be good.  

What I really want is a front rack with a wide porteur style platform, that has a four-point attachment scheme, connecting to threaded bosses on the fork crown on top, and to mid fork braze ons down low.  I'm thinking something like a Pass and Stow up top, but like a Haulin Colin down below.  Is there such a rack?  Or am I into custom-rack territory?  Is it time for me to start making my own racks? 

Bill Lindsay

Wayne County Michigan 

[Bones]

Have you looked at the SimWorks Obento?

https://sim.works/collections/others-simworks-by-nitto/products/obento-rack?variant=12537904758885

Bones

[Bill Lindsay]

Simworks Obento is now on the list and worth a serious look.  Thanks

[Tom Wyland]

 I'm in the same boat.  I would look at the Velo Orange Flat Pack Rack.  I'm not 100% sure how/if the VO rack would work with the top-of-fork-crown mounts, though.  Has anyone tried it?

https://velo-orange.com/products/flat-pack-randonneur-rack

The Surly 8-pack rack would likely work.  I emailed them and they confirmed that it would fit the Platypus fork (same as Appaloosa?). It's NOT much of a looker, though....

https://surlybikes.com/parts/8_pack_rack

[Michael J.]

Here's the Sim Works Obento rack on my Crust Romanceur.

[Miles]

Hey Bill!

I’ve been curious about how this build turned out since you first mentioned it. Care to share a photo?

- Miles, a former Michigander who will be visiting at the end of the month