This is my current bike (xtracycle on order) except that I have an old transit front rack which I'm looking to replace since I can't use it with any of the panniers I have. (it has a flat bar instead of a tube on top)
http://bayareabikes.com/images/library/large/fuji_touring_06_m.jpg

I ordered up an xtracycle and I have been looking at two different front racks so I could put some stuff up front.
The surley nice front rack.
http://hiawathacyclery.com/cart/images/frontNiceRack.jpg
or the JANND Extreme
http://hiawathacyclery.com/cart/images/ExtremeRackThumb.jpg
I'm going to probably be putting some old style Arkels up front when I go shopping to put lighter items or items I really want secured or put a small trunk bag to carry all the stuff I want to bring with me. I have had problems mounting my Arkels on my old Jannd Expedition rear rack because of the thickness of their tubes.

Do either of these interfere less with front wheel removal? My transit rack made it near impossible to get my front wheel out when I was cleaning everything down last week. I know the surly is more but if it is more versitile, easier to use or maybe even looks a little mack truck like I'd be willing to pay the difference.

I have the Surly on the front of my Long Haul Trucker and that thing does look like a Mack truck! There is tons of room between it and the tire though and I had no problem at all getting that tire off. There is alot of hardware to put it on but I am hoping to fill it up soon.

Yeah, the Surly is crazy, I worked on a bike with one the other day. I was bored, so I counted hardware items, bolts, nuts and so on. It totaled just short of 70 pieces. I am sure it is functional, but they should simplify it.

Do either of these interfere less with front wheel removal? My transit rack made it near impossible to get my front wheel out when I was cleaning everything down last week. I know the surly is more but if it is more versitile, easier to use or maybe even looks a little mack truck like I'd be willing to pay the difference.

I had a 2004 Fuji Touring bike with the Jannd Extreme front rack, so I have a few comments.

--It's still possible to remove the front wheel without removing the rack.

--If you use the mid-fork braze-ons, the rack will not sit level. I ended up using some P-clamps instead.

--I was running 35mm tires and fenders. The clearance between the bottom of the shelf and the fender was about 1/16".

--Overall, I liked the rack for it's upper/lower pannier positioning and top shelf. It's a little heavy, though.