Utility Cycling - Front Rack options

hey, I am looking for a front rack, kinda like a flatbed one that I can strap stuff too and stuff. But the bike I want to put it on does not have rack or fender eyelets on the fork. I have been looking around but cannot find any racks online that attaches to the wheel axle and also has an adjustable handlebar mount as well so i can get it to fit on my bike. thank you very much

Either keep looking or, find a rack you like and fabricate the mounts you would need/want to use.....

http://cetmacargo.com/CETMACargoRacksHello.htm

Don't have one, but from the reviews I've seen, they are great for hauling just about anthing. I'd love to get one, but can't justify spending $100 when I already have a medium sized wald rack and can buy a small front rack for ~$35. This combo would haul around 25lbs worth of gear. However, if you need some real hauling capability, the CETMA racks are listed for upwards of 50lbs.

http://cetmacargo.com/CETMACargoRacksHello.htm

Don't have one, but from the reviews I've seen, they are great for hauling just about anthing. I'd love to get one, but can't justify spending $100 when I already have a medium sized wald rack and can buy a small front rack for ~$35. This combo would haul around 25lbs worth of gear. However, if you need some real hauling capability, the CETMA racks are listed for upwards of 50lbs.

Interesting post. Those are some good racks and would be a decent addition for any cargo cyclist!!!!!

http://cetmacargo.com/CETMACargoRacksHello.htm

Don't have one, but from the reviews I've seen, they are great for hauling just about anthing. I'd love to get one, but can't justify spending $100 when I already have a medium sized wald rack and can buy a small front rack for ~$35. This combo would haul around 25lbs worth of gear. However, if you need some real hauling capability, the CETMA racks are listed for upwards of 50lbs.
where can you get a smaller front rack for 35 bucks? i more or less just need it for carrying medium sized boxes. I have a wald basket on another bike but with the rails its more difficult to carry boxes as they overlap.
But these CETMA racks look pretty awesome.

http://www.upgradecycle.com/soma-front-rack.html

Soma makes a front rack that I've been eyeing. It looks sturdy enough. When mounted, it's profile is low enough to allow a wald basket to be installed and still allow me to use my drop bars and brifters. My only issue would be trying to rig up the dynamo light I have installed.

Dang, that would be perfect for me but I dont have quick releases. its looking like i will need to get a CETMA rack

Dang, that would be perfect for me but I dont have quick releases. its looking like i will need to get a CETMA rack

Quick release is a relatively easy addition.....

Dang, that would be perfect for me but I dont have quick releases. its looking like i will need to get a CETMA rackIt says QR, Fender eyelets, or P-clamps. I would prefer the fender eyelets myself...

Here is one i made myself for about $20. Would work fine with P clamps as well.

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/34498/2387196200037547136S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2387196200037547136UbVfFP)

Just ordered a Blackburn MTF with the intent of fabrcating some detachable mounts for a Bakery tray ( looks like a huge low sided milk crate) or a set of wald double baskets to use a grocery panniers. Looks like it should be good for 35lbs or so and it's inexpesive, around $39
http://treadbikeshop.com/images/library/large/bb_mtf1_10_m.jpg

Cut down basil

I have the Surly Front Nice Rack on my commuter. It is a bit narrower than some other options, but very sturdy steel. Plenty strong enough to carry a case of beverages on top. I have also tied Costco cases of canned veggies to the sides of it, low rider style. I use rear ortlebe panniers on it to carry my clothes back and forth to work. I have loaded the snot out of those panniers on the front, and while the steering does get a little heavier the bike is, if anything, more stable with a big load down low on the front.

Just ordered a Blackburn MTF with the intent of fabrcating some detachable mounts for a Bakery tray ( looks like a huge low sided milk crate) or a set of wald double baskets to use a grocery panniers. Looks like it should be good for 35lbs or so and it's inexpesive, around $39
http://treadbikeshop.com/images/library/large/bb_mtf1_10_m.jpg

that sounds cool, could you post a pic+review when your done?

Will the Blackburn MTF-1 rack fit a Big Dummy? Enquiring minds want to know.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Velognome http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/showthread.php?p=13881457#post13881457)
Just ordered a Blackburn MTF with the intent of fabrcating some detachable mounts for a Bakery tray ( looks like a huge low sided milk crate) or a set of wald double baskets to use a grocery panniers. Looks like it should be good for 35lbs or so and it's inexpesive, around $39
http://treadbikeshop.com/images/library/large/bb_mtf1_10_m.jpg
Cabezashok



that sounds cool, could you post a pic+review when your done?

Done. The rear is an Axiom rack good for something like 100lbs. , the front is a Blackburn MTF. The baskets are Wald's cut from their mounting hardware.
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They drop over the racks and a bungee cord holds them down
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The rig is very stable, too stable. I seriously over loaded the racks a few times.....that an some very bumpy NE roads....I bent the MTF :eek:
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The cheap P Clamps they supplied tore a bit which let them slide down the fork. Which got me thinking, heavier P clamps and a metal strap from the back of the rack to the fork crown should keep it from happening again. So for less than $50 for the rack, better P clamps, a metal mending strap a few bolts, I should have a heavy duty rack for hauling groceries

Sorry for the bad photo's ( it's Spring and I was captivated by the green), when I replace the rack and make the mod.s I'll take some better pics. against the garage door

some of the CETMA racks used Wald Mounting hardware, for the HD
newspaper hauling baskets..
J hooks over the bars & lower struts secured by the front axle and Nuts.

I cut away the Wald mounts to get them lower over the wheels, plus I only want the baskets on the racks when I'm making a grocery run otherwise it's like riding the Griswalds Family Truckster. I have a set of rollup panniers for smalls the baskets are for the weekly stock up haul. Spent some time examining the the failure and have worked out a simple solution. I'll post photo's when I finish.

I just picked this Basil Memories front rack up for $55. I haven't put it on anything yet.

http://www.adelineadeline.com/media/configurable/BasilMemoriesFrontCarrier/black.jpg

I bought this front mounted rack last week. It went on no problems at all. Attaches to the wheel axle and handlebars. The bit on the down tube is for a light. http://dutchbikeshop.ie/3030-bycycle-front-rack/

http://dutchbikeshop.ie/wp-content/plugins/wp-checkout/vendors/timthumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/wp-checkout/images/3030-bycycle-front-rack.jpg&w=150&h=150&q=80 (http://dutchbikeshop.ie/wp-content/uploads/wp-checkout/images/3030-bycycle-front-rack.jpg)

jpsawyer, How much weight are you planning on carrying up front?

Most likely your bike is not built for heavy loads on the front rack if it does not have eyelets. This mostly has to do with the bike's trail. Typically, most bicycles have a high trail, which is great for maneuvering once you get up to speed. At lower speed, with a load pressing against the fork, you'll end up having a very difficult time handling your bike.

A bike with a low-trail geometry is designed for front loads, and in fact may handle better with a load on the front than without.

To convert a higher trail bike to lower trail, you might need a to get a fork with a higher rake, or fork-offset. Using smaller diameter wheels, such as converting a 700C bike to 650B, will also reduce the trail. You can accomplish this slightly with narrower tires, too, but of course then you're sacrificing ride quality, and pneumatic suspension for your loads.

A paperboys rack sounds like what you need,a basket on both sides252464