Touring - front/back rack clamps..weight?

hey hey all, couple newbie questions if ya dont mind...

If I wanted to add a front rack to my bike, but the front fork does not have any (threaded(?)) eyelets to attach one. Im thinking then, that Id have to use clamps... but Im new to this rack thing, so if there are other options, lay em on me!
I am wondering how much weight these clamps can handle? At all problematic?
If (lets just say) I wanted to add a back rack, but had no threaded eyelets on my seat stay, would clamps be an option there also? would they be sufficient enough for a fairly loaded tour?

thank you much, the knowledge is appreciated !

Clamps? You don't need no stinkin' clamps! :)

Actually, an option for front racks for those that don't have eyelets is to use a QR fork, which basically means the QR is longer than your standard QR and that allows the bottom rack to mount on the QR and then the top mounts to the brake arches on the fork (Assuming you have a fork that isn't a disc-only fork). I have one from Old Man Mountain on my touring MTB that has a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 on it.

Check out OMM, amonst others, that will allow you to run a front fork on a bike that isn't entirely made for touring.

Jay

I use clamps for a rear rack and they have held fine the only problem I have heard/noticed and this might be weight related is that the cheap plastic covering wears off and the metal clamps then scratch/rub off the paint.This is just about starting to happen on my bike so I need to do something about it probably just get new clamps I guess as they are very inexpensive.

Try this http://www.oldmanmountain.com/ Everything you wanted to know about racks but were afraid to ask.

Good luck!

I have a Old Man Mountain AC lowrider on my fork with no eyelet. It's very solid. The thick bar makes it a bit difficult to turn the lock on my Arkel panniers but it's not a big problem.