Touring - Front Rack for Fork with no braize-ons or eyelets?

The title says it all. I am looking for a way to increase carrying capacity a bit (only have a rear rack right now), but my fork doesn't have braize-ons or eyelets. In addition, it also has disc brakes. Does anyone know any way to mount a rack to a fork like that?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3540297123_6b0a4e2120_b.jpg

Sure this Old Man Mountain Cold Springs rack (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/FrontRacks.html) will work with any fork. My Thorn Nomad (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157616802557037/) had a mid fork braze on so I used it, but they supply you P-clips that will simply wrap around your fork blades. I've used OMM racks for years - abused them and had only excellent service from them.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2472946490_2e2e0c57d0_b.jpg

On my Surly Big Dummy (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2472111973_b7711f401b_s.jpg) I mounted the top struts to the canti posts since they were available - very versatile mounting system. Disc brakes are no problem at all since the lower part of the rack mounts at the QR.

I've always wonder, is the qr some special extra strong one? Do you carry a spare?

I guess it must also be a bit longer too?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3540297123_6b0a4e2120_b.jpg

Sure this Old Man Mountain Cold Springs rack (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/FrontRacks.html) will work with any fork. My Thorn Nomad (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapproved/sets/72157616802557037/) had a mid fork braze on so I used it, but they supply you P-clips that will simply wrap around your fork blades. I've used OMM racks for years - abused them and had only excellent service from them.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2472946490_2e2e0c57d0_b.jpg

On my Surly Big Dummy (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/2472111973_b7711f401b_s.jpg) I mounted the top struts to the canti posts since they were available - very versatile mounting system. Disc brakes are no problem at all since the lower part of the rack mounts at the QR.

vik - it looks like this is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks for the help!

QR is extra long, and I assume it's extra strong as well.

It will be a little more fiddly to change a tire on the road.

QR is extra long, and I assume it's extra strong as well.

It will be a little more fiddly to change a tire on the road.

OMM provides an extra long QR with the racks. I've toured with it off road for hundreds of kms with no damage or issues. If I was riding in Tibet or Mongolia I'd carry a spare QR. For typical paved road touring I wouldn't bother with a spare.

The lower QR mount will mean that instead of a flat taking 5mins to fix it will take 5mins and 20seconds. Not something I worry about a whole lot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2296157519_b534e2ae34_o.jpg

I even use an OMM Cold Springs rack on my LHT which has all the touring fork braze ons and could use a standard rack.

These are definitely great racks. After recently breaking my front rack, and mostly based on Vik's enthusiasm for them, I replaced it with an Old Man Mountain Ultimate Lowrider. Can't believe the difference it makes in the handling over my old crappy lowrider. It's unbelievable. I hadn't even realized my old rack was that bad. I don't think it really was that bad, the OMM is just that much better. I think it's purely down to the stiffness and support of the OMM vs my old rack. I'm even considering getting a Sherpa for the rear now, even though there is nothing wrong with my rear rack. In my opinion, well worth the high cost. Assuming you are going to be off roading with it, you would probably want the Sherpa or the Cold Springs for clearance issues.

With regards to the QR mounting, this is the main reason I went with an OMM. What broke on my old rack was actully the bolt in the braze-on. I was able to drill it out, but the threads got slightly damaged. Not trusting them anymore, and not feeling like retapping them, I started looking at other possibilities. To me this mounting method makes a lot of sense. The QR HAS to be much stronger than that bolt I have already proven can break. Remember how much weight and force that QR is designed to hold, especially on the rear. I've seen people that have to be 300 lbs riding bikes with QR's. Even when fully loaded, my weight and gear is WAY below that. I know the physics is a little different, but bottom line is I trust the QR way more than those little bolts into the braze-on.

P.S. - Vik - considering the improvement I feel the OMM has given me on the front, do you think a Sherpa on the rear would help improve the ride at all? I am considering it anyways just for the benefits of the QR mounting system, but wondering if you noticed any difference in the handling with a OMM vs other brands on the rear? (Panniers, load etc all being equal of course.)

The QR HAS to be much stronger than that bolt I have already proven can break. Remember how much weight and force that QR is designed to hold, especially on the rear. I've seen people that have to be 300 lbs riding bikes with QR's. Even when fully loaded, my weight and gear is WAY below that. I know the physics is a little different, but bottom line is I trust the QR way more than those little bolts into the braze-on.


A normal QR does not hold cantilevered weight, the hub axle does that. The QR just keeps everything sandwiched together.

Regardless, given the proven record of OMM, the QR design works. It's got to work, I just installed a rear Sherpa on my bike for my upcoming offroad tour!

P.S. - Vik - considering the improvement I feel the OMM has given me on the front, do you think a Sherpa on the rear would help improve the ride at all? I am considering it anyways just for the benefits of the QR mounting system, but wondering if you noticed any difference in the handling with a OMM vs other brands on the rear? (Panniers, load etc all being equal of course.)

I think OMM racks are great, but if you had a Tubus rack on the back of your bike I wouldn't suggest replacing it with an OMM as it's a great rack. If you had some flimsy no-name rack sure an OMM rack would be a nice upgrade.

I've wondered why no one buys the OMM Ultimate Lowrider - seems like it would be a better choice over the Sherpa. Saw one go for $45 on ebay once, missing the skewer only.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RackGalleries/Pages/ultimateLowRider_gallery.htm

I've wondered why no one buys the OMM Ultimate Lowrider - seems like it would be a better choice over the Sherpa. Saw one go for $45 on ebay once, missing the skewer only.

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/RackPages/RackGalleries/Pages/ultimateLowRider_gallery.htm

Well I for one don't like low rider racks and do want a top platform on my front rack.

vik, your bikes intimidate me. They look so no-nonsense, outta-my-way, on-a-mission purposeful.

But WAY WAY too clean!!

(Don't post that Pugsley again Vik)

:p

But WAY WAY too clean!!

I was in the army for 10 years - I was trained to clean my gear!...:twitchy:


(Don't post that Pugsley again Vik):p

I'd never do that....;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3201907273_92eede48d0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3262562139_6e3f2e7dc1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3202769784_6375171bc1_b.jpg

I almost thought that was a Rohloff, but alas...

I almost thought that was a Rohloff, but alas...

I find the Pugsley does fine with the 8 speed Alfine and it's much cheaper!...:love:

I have an "AXIOM odysee disk" front rack, on my MTB / front suspension/ disk brakes bike.
Work fine. It has a very long quick release, and some big C clamps.