Nitto Campee 27F rack vs rack combos

[Andrew Turner]

Hello group! 
I recently purchased the Nitto Mini Campee front rack for my rando bag with the idea of adding something like a TUBUS low rider or Marks Hub Area rack (MF2) for pannier- carrying come S24O time. 

Then I remembered Nitto's most grandiose front rack, the Campee 27F and from my POV, that seems like the smartest, most elegant solution for a bike that will always carry a central bag with the option of adding panniers. The only rub is that rack is out of stock everywhere...it seems like Nitto might not even be making it anymore (this is pure speculation but it also seems like VO dropped their front-camper rack as well). Any insights on this? Is it just an incredibly time-consuming rack, they only make a very small batch of them at a time? 

The main reason why the Campee 27F is calling my name is that the low-rider racks are both modular AND angled. It doesn't seem like the MF2 or Tubus offerings have that feature and I was wondering if anyone here feels a difference in ride-quality between angled and vertical low-rider panniers. 

Would the Nitto Mini Campee and MF2 combo check all the boxes or is the Campee 27F still the GROAT and worth the wait? 

- Andrew

[Tom Wyland]

Tubus Tara work well with ortlieb panniers that have stiff backs and a slide-in plastic hook on the back. The angled pannier mounts with support bars all around would should work better with floppier panniers or those with simple bungee hooks.  The tubus don't always sit level with the Riv forks.  You may need to flip the top rail upside-down.

The Velo Orange Campeur Front Rack is similar to the 27F with angled carriers, but they don't come off.  The VO rack has better system for mounting a Rando bag, IMO.  

Tom

Reston, VA

[greenteadrinkers]

James at Analog had/has? a 27F for sale.

Best,

Scott

[Bill Lindsay]

Andy Reed used three question marks:

1. regarding the fact that the 27F is hard to find: "Any insights on this?"  Nope.  I always bought mine from Alex's Cycle in Japan and even they don't have it

2. regarding the manufacturability: "Is it just an incredibly time-consuming rack, they only make a very small batch of them at a time?"  I'm sure it is time consuming, and I expect it's just low priority relative to other hot sellers.

3. Regarding the status of the 27F: "is the Campee 27F still the GROAT and worth the wait?  I think it is indeed the superior front rack.  Whether it's worth the wait depends on the person doing the waiting.  I think that the best way to run the 27F is with rectangular panniers that are designed to fit that same size and shape.  If you've already got "normal" looking panniers from Ortlieb or similar, I think that's a weird looking setup.  I personally have one pair of Ostrich and one pair of Carradice panniers to run on my small collection of these Nitto front and rear racks.  I've got 2 of the 27F fronts, one of the more burly "Mt Campee" front I think they call that the 20F.  I've also got two of the 700c rears, the 27R (or is it R27?).  

The only way to do it better IMO is a custom that copies the setup but in lighter tubing or a more minimalist set of contact points designed around the bike.  Those top notch rack makers are in a class by themselves.  Off the shelf, the Nitto 27F is the business IMHO.  

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Luke Hendrickson]

I believe the 27F is out of production as is the 27R. Soma has a 27R for sale…

[Jack Newcomb]

I've been waiting for the 27F to come back for almost a year now. Say it aint so!