CliftonGK1

I just finished installing the Nashbar front rack that attaches to the canti studs and fork crown. It's about big enough to hold a 6-pack, and it's weight rated to 15 pounds. It seems solid, the brakes work fine after the install, and it comes with a bracket for a reflector that I used to mount my L&M Solo headlight.
I'll post some pix tomorrow after work. Right now, I'm thinking it's the perfect size to hold a drybag stuffed with towels, or use a cargo net to hold some tupperware lunch containers. For lightweight touring, I'm thinking it's going to be great for a compression sack with my tent and maybe even my sleeping bag.

evblazer

Are you talking about this rack? Nashbar Front Rack


I was thinking of gettingone and would love a pic of it on your bike with a light to see how it goes. I have a low rider rack now and it was either the above or get a surley nice front rack or JANND Extreme one.

Did you get hte bag that is made for it?

Old Dirt Hill

I used one last winter as a light platform. You can see pictures in the Total Geekiness thread here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...10#post3241110.

I no longer own that bike, so I'm not sure if I'll be using the Nashbar front rack for lights this winter or not.

One problem I did have with it was that eventually it starts to swivel to the front a little and I had to reinforce it with a bracket that attached to the fork. It ended up making tons of rattle/squeak noises as well (thus the bungee in the pictures). Before winter ended this past year, I had several bungees attached to the thing just to keep the squeaks at bay.

Bekologist

I have one and use it a lot for the commute. I keep a section of the newspaper or a magazine there, whip it out at the long traffic lights. also for putting a jacket stripped off mid ride.

I have used it for ultralite tours, strapping a tarp, foam pod and bivy sack on the top.

CliftonGK1

That's the one I got. I'll post pix this evening when I get home.
If you're just looking for a lightweight platform to give you some mounting points for lights/reflectors, and maybe carry some light camping gear, it seems like a solid rack.
I didn't get the bag that Nashbar sells for it because I think it looks dippy and I wouldn't use it. For those not familiar with this bag, it looks like those harness/pannier bags for mountain rescue dogs to carry supplies.

mikepoole

Any clearance problems with the canti brake arms? Does it need standoffs to allow the brakes to operate properly? How about fenders- will it share the reflector mount OK? I need something on the front of my kid-carrying bike...

bigbenaugust 

I had one and it was all fun and games for the first couple of months until the center bracket broke. I rarely carried more than a U-lock on mine, but I think abuse of bungee cords may have played a factor in its demise. So be careful out there.

CliftonGK1

No clearance problems with the brakes. It mounts to the studs, in front of the brake arms. It comes with all the mounting hardware, including the standoff spacers (plus a front reflector tab and screw/nut, fork crown bracket and screws/nuts, and a couple spare screws/nuts that I wasn't sure what you'd use them for; there's a couple extra holes at the back of the platform... maybe for other styles of light mounts?)
It clears my PB Freddy HC fenders just fine, the crown bolt holds the rack and fender mounting tab. The rack itself will interfere with a crown mounted reflector, but makes up for it with the accompanying reflector attachment for the front of the rack.

CliftonGK1

Where did you have the bungees attached? The little side-angle stanchion seems to have good hooking points for a bungee at the base by the canti mount and up near the front where it attaches to the rack platform. That should put no stress on the center bracket (I'm assuming you mean the one attaching to the fork crown.) That crown tab is pretty sturdy metal, and held to the rack with an adjustable reach double screw mount. Unless you ran the bungees over the rack and down to the fork eyelets (not fastening the bungee to the rack itself) then I can't see how just carrying a U-lock or a 6-pack would over-stress that crown tab.

bigbenaugust 

Yup, from the little hook on one side, with a wrap around the rack to keep some tension, and to the hook on the other side. I probably pulled too hard or something. It happens sometimes.

CliftonGK1

Here's the pix of it on the bike.

evblazer

Hm that looks pretty good with your bike mounted pics. That third mounting spot to the reflector/crown tab makes it look like it should last pretty well if it is just used for light stuff and a light. They need to take one of your pics and put it on the nashbar site to show it in action
If nashbar has free shipping or I need something else I just might pick one up.. $7 is hard to pass up.

Edit: Oh hell I just ordered one with a spare pair of glasses. I'm sick of change lenses twice a day. I even bought the bag so I can look like a dip
Edit2: Dippy bag for all to see

Bolo Grubb

I guess I just waited too long to order this rack. I can't find it on Nashbar's site anymore

vrkelley

Nice move. I was pretty sure you'd come up with something like this. From the side, the light will give your bike a longer foot print. From the front, you'll probably appear 1' closer. When dealing with cagers, inches count...!

CliftonGK1

It's working out really well. I like the light mounted on the rack better than I did on my fork blade. There's no shadow of the wheel in the hot-spot of the light. It's a long throw pattern that I get by having it lower, so it lights up less fog in the morning and I don't have to cover it for oncoming commuters on the MUP. (Handlebar mounted lights are blinding if aimed high, and most early morning riders shield theirs a bit as we pass.)
Plus, with it being mounted on that reflector tab, I don't lose any rack space. With a set of bungees, I can carry a bag of groceries up front and it's very stable.

wb 86

I have had one for over a year on my townie/bar SS and it is also the best $7 I spent in a while. Its funny how Nashbar runs that sale: $15-$19 one week, $7 the next, then its gone for a bit. It installs fast and is one of those no brainer rack ideas. Beats my old reversed rear rack ghetto set up.

Grocery run? No problem. Zip tie a milk crate to it and carry your larger light weight goods such as produce and bread. Ride control is not affected if you distribute accordingly.

Late night after the bars close? It handles a 12er of PBR bottles a few nights a week and leaves my rear rack open for the panniers and trunk bag or more beer .

In reality, of all the MTB/commuter/road accessories I've purchased in the last several months, this little rack gets the most use and regularly comes up in bike related BS conversations downtown. My beater Giant bar bike has now been affectionately dubbed the SFV- Sport Futility Vehicle.

Craig

Cody Broken

I have a Nashbar front rack and I LOVE IT!!

Good to catch it when it is on sale for $7.99, as the regular price is like $69.99 (kidding, actually just exaggerating), and they are running the free shipping deal.

I check Nashbar waaaayyy too often, and the last few weeks I haven't seen it in stock. Hope it's not discontinued!!! (pause for terrified gasps from the crowd)

Sorry, I have an overactive imagination. But seriously, I haven't seen it lately.

Ahh, did some reading and saw that Bolo Grubb already mentioned the absence. I'll shut it now.

evblazer

Well I've had my nashbar front rack for about a month with the bag that goes with it. I was kinda worried at first but it has been pretty useful. I'm able to keep alot of pocket stuff (cell phone/wallet/keys) in there without fiddling with the rear panniers (now xtracycle) and now that it is chilly I can put my warmers in there along with spare batteries for my lights and glasses since I now go from shades to clear lenses during my commute sometimes days.
Haven't come up with a good mounting solution for my Dinotte 200L yet though. Actually the xtracycle in the rear is being a pain in mounting the Dinotte tail light. Right now I'm using a piece of scrap PVC in the rear and may do the same up front.

mikepoole

Anybody have a good trunk-type bag for this rack other than the Nashbar bag? I've been "re-purposing" an old Case Logic 15-CD case- the rigid plastic insert is great as it protects contents from the bungees' pressure... only problem is lack of waterproofing.

KingTermite 

Interesting....I've thought of getting a front rack to compliment the hiddeously charming commuter bike. I might look into it.

mikepoole

Please! I've been admiring that bike- be sure to scratch the rack up, and strap something to it that's like this:

KingTermite 

Woo Hoo!! I have a (bike) admirer.

vrkelley

As the truckers say..."cover the load" so the cops don't stop ya!

wb 86

The cops in B-burg love us, they would never give us a hard time and a few would join us after their shifts end. After all, our little group consists of the service manager and a few mechs from the LBS that assembles and maintains the bike-cop rigs for both the town of Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech campus department. They have much larger drunk college kid problems to handle (DUI, fights etc.) than to bother a bunch of 20-something townies keeping it casual.

Back on topic, I threw an old Pelican dry box on the rack w/ bungees and am digging the waterproof storage for additional layers of clothing for the commute. The weather has been fluctuating heavily over the course of the days and the temps and on/off rain showers are a pain to try and call ahead. I love a dry layer to throw on after a nasty commute.

Craig

Lamplight

I have that rack and the bag that goes with it on my foul weather bike. So far so good, and mine houses a fairly heavy lighting system with a lead-acid battery. I can tell it's cheaply made, but hey, it cost next to nothing!