Nitto Basket Rack Reports and Photos?

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Birdman

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Dec 8, 2019, 12:15:27 PM12/8/19
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Hey Bunch,

I’ve been searching through the archives and can’t find any reports on the new Riv Basket Rack. I’d be great to hear impressions and see some photos from any owners on the list, if you’re up for sharing. I’m also curious about cantilever break set up with that fork crown attachment tab.

Thanks,

Isaac in Portland, OR

Bill Lindsay

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Dec 9, 2019, 6:04:55 PM12/9/19
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Related to this topic: I just went to check inventory on rivbike.com for the basket rack.  The way you 'check inventory' is try to add 100 of them to your cart, and the site will tell you how many you can add.  I tried to add 100 and it said I can only add 1.  Last one!  Who's going to get it?  I'm tempted to run it backwards, with the low tombstone in front, so I can use the two underside tabs to run a pair of custom bent struts to my MIT Atlantis fork crown, avoiding the diving board part altogether.  I don't know for sure it will work, and I don't have the $250 to run the experiment, so it looks like I'll miss out on this batch.  No doubt by the end of today they'll be out of stock....

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

Drw

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Dec 9, 2019, 9:30:35 PM12/9/19
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related questions I hope.

Do the platform mounting points align with that of a marks rack? Meaning could I use a Marks rack platform.

Without the little leg extenders from the dropout mounting point, is the rack definitely too short? I know this will vary for wheel size, but generally, are the non extended legs not long enough?

Justin Kennedy

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Dec 10, 2019, 9:50:24 AM12/10/19
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First to answer Drw above:

"Do the platform mounting points align with that of a marks rack? Meaning could I use a Marks rack platform."
I think you're talking about the diving board? Yes you can use the one for Mark's rack, but the basket rack comes with a new diving board. If you don't want to disconnect your brake, though, keep the old one on and save the new diving board for a rainy day. 

Without the little leg extenders from the dropout mounting point, is the rack definitely too short? I know this will vary for wheel size, but generally, are the non extended legs not long enough?
I'm not sure. I have the rack on a 60cm Cheviot, so it definitely wouldn't fit without the leg extensions. Check out the Blue Lug instagram pages - lots of photos of the basket rack on different bikes there, most of which are probably much smaller frames. I don't recall seeing one without the leg extenders, though.  

My somewhat quick review: I've been using my Riv basket rack for about a month now and love it. I had a Mark's rack previously, supported with a diving board and four struts. The small platform felt too small for the large Wald basket I had strapped to it, but it was secure enough. Now, with the same basket on the larger platform, I load it up without worry. 

There are a few quirks. One is the leg extensions, particularly the way they angle. At first I wanted them to be straight vertical b/c it looked better and seemed more secure. But I realized I could get the rack closer to the fork crown (for better handling) if I angle them back toward the fork (see photo below). It looks kind of odd, and at first seems like it's not as secure as the vertical position, but I've been running it like this for a few weeks with routine loads of 15+ lbs and it works great. The hardware is so well made, it's barely needed tightening even after hundreds of miles on bumpy NYC streets, gravel roads, and wooded paths. 

I also had a slight issue mounting my light. I previously had it mounted to a Nitto lamp holder on one of the struts for the Marks Rack. Because of the way the new basket rack struts are constructed, though, the lamp holder isn't compatible (it won't clear the top of the strut that's slightly flared to attach to the platform). However, i was able to rig it so that the lamp holder attaches to one of the light mounting points on the platform. It's not beautiful but it works. If you have one of the nice upside down mounting lights, you should be able to attach it directly to the light mounting point. Otherwise, get creative or use a Velo Orange light bracket.   

Attaching a few photos here. 

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20191210_093743.jpg

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Isaac Enloe

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Dec 12, 2019, 11:16:31 AM12/12/19
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Thanks, Justin. I really appreciate the quick review and photos. One of the things I really like about the Basket Rack is that you can bring the basket closer or further from the crown while keeping it level, unlike my old Large Front Rack, which put the center of the basket in front of the hub and could be a little unwieldy. I had wondered about the drop attachments, both in terms of aesthetics and strength, so it's good to see that they don't look bad and to hear that they feel secure.

It looks like I'll have some time to think more about it, because they're all sold out.

Thanks again,

Isaac

Justin Kennedy

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Dec 12, 2019, 11:32:35 AM12/12/19
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Actually, it looks like they have a restock right now. As of this morning, there were 8 available. But yeah, i'm sure this rack will be around for a long time so take your time deciding. 

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maxcr

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Mar 15, 2020, 2:39:12 PM3/15/20
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Has anyone successfully installed a basket rack on an older Toyo Atlantis?

Mine is a 61 with 700c wheels and I don't see how to make it fit. I thought it would make a fun weekend project, but I'm stuck.

There's a notch that limits the angle of the support extension, see photo. I tried longer ones which I had from a rear rack, but they also don't work (and look ridiculous).

Any ideas welcome.

Max self distancing in Cambridge, MA

On Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 11:32:35 AM UTC-5, Justin Kennedy wrote:
Actually, it looks like they have a restock right now. As of this morning, there were 8 available. But yeah, i'm sure this rack will be around for a long time so take your time deciding. 

On Thu, Dec 12, 2019 at 11:16 AM Isaac Enloe <enl...@catlin.edu> wrote:
Thanks, Justin. I really appreciate the quick review and photos. One of the things I really like about the Basket Rack is that you can bring the basket closer or further from the crown while keeping it level, unlike my old Large Front Rack, which put the center of the basket in front of the hub and could be a little unwieldy. I had wondered about the drop attachments, both in terms of aesthetics and strength, so it's good to see that they don't look bad and to hear that they feel secure.

It looks like I'll have some time to think more about it, because they're all sold out.

Thanks again,

Isaac

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IMG_1318.jpg

Bill Lindsay

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Mar 15, 2020, 3:19:07 PM3/15/20
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From my perspective, you shouldn’t consider this rack of you don’t have bosses on top of the fork tips. There ar other racks that will accomplish the same things while attaching to the bosses below the fork tips

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito Ca

ted

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Mar 15, 2020, 3:22:53 PM3/15/20
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Rotate the qr so it’s not over the mounting bolt, get a longer bolt and a spacer so the rack mount stay can clear the fork blade.

Sky Coulter

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Mar 15, 2020, 3:57:16 PM3/15/20
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I have a toyo 61cm atlantis w the basket rack installed. I felt pretty good about it until i read Bill’s post (now self doubt begins to stir). I remember a brief hiccup in the setupbut it seemed to smooth out easily enough. 

Pic of setup from a distance here:


I’ll take a closer pic of dropouts later if that helps.

Sky in new west

On Mar 15, 2020, at 12:22 PM, ted <ted....@comcast.net> wrote:

Rotate the qr so it’s not over the mounting bolt, get a longer bolt and a spacer so the rack mount stay can clear the fork blade.

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maxcr

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Mar 15, 2020, 4:51:11 PM3/15/20
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Thanks everyone, I'll follow Bill's lead and probably save the rack to an upcoming Susie build.

Ted, the problem isn't the QR, it's the notch in the fork and the location of the boss.

Sky, I tried your link, but it seems your account is private.

Max


On Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 3:57:16 PM UTC-4, Sky Coulter wrote:
I have a toyo 61cm atlantis w the basket rack installed. I felt pretty good about it until i read Bill’s post (now self doubt begins to stir). I remember a brief hiccup in the setupbut it seemed to smooth out easily enough. 

Pic of setup from a distance here:


I’ll take a closer pic of dropouts later if that helps.

Sky in new west

On Mar 15, 2020, at 12:22 PM, ted <ted....@comcast.net> wrote:

Rotate the qr so it’s not over the mounting bolt, get a longer bolt and a spacer so the rack mount stay can clear the fork blade.

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Sky Coulter

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Mar 15, 2020, 8:28:23 PM3/15/20
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Sorry about the link. And I just looked at my dropout.  has dual eyelets and I'm using the top ones so my setup does not mirror yours.  It does make me wonder about the origin of my bike. Dual eyelets, on front dropout but no rack eyelets on fork.  

ted

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Mar 15, 2020, 11:40:43 PM3/15/20
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using a spacer (riv sells nice ones though they are currently out of stock) and a longer bolt allows the rack strut to clear the fork blade without needing to go flush along the fork end (aka drop out) between the qr axel and the end of the fork blade. We’re you to do that you would likely find the qr lever would have to be oriented differently to close properly.
To be sure it’s nicer to have a mount on the top of the fork end for rack mounting, but it’s possible to do it without them.

Jim M.

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Mar 16, 2020, 8:56:48 PM3/16/20
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My new Clem with basket rack. I like it a lot, and it mounted easily. The Clem does have a lot of eyelets.

Sheltering in place in Walnut Creek,
jim m





maxcr

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Mar 16, 2020, 9:00:18 PM3/16/20
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More and more clear that Bill is right - you need the top bosses to properly mount this rack. Gorgeous setup :)

Bill Lindsay

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Mar 17, 2020, 9:53:24 AM3/17/20
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The rack I would recommend vigorously for fork tips of that kind is the Nitto 27F.  Here's a link from Alex's:


The ends are all steel.  They dogleg to find the under-the-fork-tip boss, and have an integrated spacer to clear the fork blade itself.  Use the included hardware to attach to the brake posts or if you have mid-fork braze-ons, use normal aluminum stays to get there.  The rack should be tall enough for just about any Atlantis appropriate tire.  The top platform is not as wide as a Riv Basket rack, but I've had no problems with a Wald basket strapped to it.  It feels a little excessive to buy detachable lowriders if you honestly never want to use them, but I prefer to think of it as extra versatility.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA
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