Touring - Front rack for Fuji Touring?

I'm looking for a (front) pannier rack for my Fuji Touring bike, which has threaded mid-fork eyelets. I picked up a Performance Bike branded one which doesn't fit at all; now I'm a bit concerned about buying sight unseen, since I didn't realize that eyelet placement wasn't at least somewhat standardized... Any recommendations on a rack that fits - and works - well?

Thanks!

-chris

blackburn makes racks specifically designed for forks with braze-on eyelets.
you can get the lowrider for low center-of-gravity; panniers centered on the axle.
the "custom" version for eyelets, the "standard" version has bolt-on brackets
for non-eyelet forks. perf/nashbar probably have only the standard model.
blackburn also has a mountain rack which has a flat platform above the tire.
i do not know if the mountain rack will fit 700c.
bb racks also have a no-hassle lifetime warranty.

I'm looking for a (front) pannier rack for my Fuji Touring bike, which has threaded mid-fork eyelets. I picked up a Performance Bike branded one which doesn't fit at all; now I'm a bit concerned about buying sight unseen, since I didn't realize that eyelet placement wasn't at least somewhat standardized... Any recommendations on a rack that fits - and works - well?

Thanks!

-chris

Sorry I can't help you Chris, but I can't help but wonder what your thoughts are on the Fuji Touring bike. I'm thinking about buying the 2004 model. My LBS is making way for the 2005's so they're selling it at a clearance price of $595. I think that's pretty good. I don't expect to do any "big-time" tours, just from one town to the next and back in the New England area. What say you? (hope you don't mind me asking)

i had a fuji touring that i used for communting & loved dearly, until a friend accidently burned it down (candle left unattended lit the chair in the carport the bike was leaning on, didn't discover until i was leaving for work the next morning, lucky to have not been burned up in my sleep) anyways, it was a great bike & i intentionally rode the crap out of it quite rudely to see if it was at all possible for the thing to break, it never did-

I've only got maybe 500 miles on mine (a 2003) - I've only been riding it on longer rides, getting geared up for a potential tour in the fall. So far, though, I've been very happy indeed... and it handles better loaded than unloaded. I did make some changes from stock - swapped the rear der for an XT version, the front for Ultegra, and the crank for a 48/38/28 to get a lower gear for loaded climbing.

And if anyone's interested in the rack question, I wound up buying a Jannd Extreme front rack, which is at least twice the rack I really need - but it fits perfectly, and I'll be able to carry an extra 2-liter bottle of water on top of it without much trouble.

-chris

i had a fuji touring that i used for communting & loved dearly, until a friend accidently burned it down (candle left unattended lit the chair in the carport the bike was leaning on, didn't discover until i was leaving for work the next morning, lucky to have not been burned up in my sleep) anyways, it was a great bike & i intentionally rode the crap out of it quite rudely to see if it was at all possible for the thing to break, it never did-

hmm... a *friend* you say? :D BTW, how did the tires hold up? Our bike paths have a glass problem. The (glass) filler used in the asphalt was not ground-up well enough; consequently, non-mountain-bike- type tires are susceptible to flats. My Fuji Absolute gets flats regularly. I'm thinking of buying some Specialized Armadillos (sp?) for it and imagine that I would have to do the same for the Fuji Touring (if I buy it).

I've only got maybe 500 miles on mine (a 2003) - I've only been riding it on longer rides, getting geared up for a potential tour in the fall. So far, though, I've been very happy indeed... and it handles better loaded than unloaded. I did make some changes from stock - swapped the rear der for an XT version, the front for Ultegra, and the crank for a 48/38/28 to get a lower gear for loaded climbing.

And if anyone's interested in the rack question, I wound up buying a Jannd Extreme front rack, which is at least twice the rack I really need - but it fits perfectly, and I'll be able to carry an extra 2-liter bottle of water on top of it without much trouble.

-chris

Thanks, Chris, for your input regarding the Fuji Touring. Btw, I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Glad you found a rack you like. I may look into that *Jannd Extreme* myself (if I do buy a touring bike)

when i first got the fuji i had a serious of flats that was mostly fixed by replacing the crappy rim tape it had w/ velox (cloth), most of flat issues were pretty normal then, however, i've a pair of armadillos on my bike now & will probably have them on every touring/commuting bike i own from here on out, unless the bike is specifically for racing.