rumrunn6

Let's see the front racks & bags. Last summer I made a rack from scratch just for my tube; patch kit & tools, etc. so I wouldn't have to dig through my laundry in the rear bag. The rack was so-so & the bag disintegrated. Also, the bag was not the most aerodynamic. I've been hoping to find something football shaped to cut through the wind. I like to make stuff & I don't like to spend a lot of money.

What have you found to be good & bad ideas ...?

cynyc2

I don't know if it's a good idea, but you could get a cheap plasticky football, cut it open, and bolt it to your rack, with the cut on the side.

I am only half kidding with this idea. You could spary paint the football to match your bike, too!

no1mad 

Just buy a frame bag. More aero unless there is a killer cross wind, but you'll be more of a drag than the bag...

rumrunn6

Frame bag ... I'm liking it!

BTW: I have been looking for football shaped containers but haven't found any.

Gonna go look at choices for frame bags.

rtg1

Start looking at the Easter section of most big box stores. They should have large plastic "eggs" with a flat side that should work.

For a rack try www.nashbar.com and look up item NA-FRR. It is a front rack that bolts to the brake bosses. They also have a small bag that attaches to the rack.

barturtle

roughly football shaped:




7L - 425 cubic inches
Measures 15.5" long x 6" wide x 5.5" tall at tallest point.

X-LinkedRider

For the bag you can use a multitude of things. I might suggest just making a small rucksack type of deal from some kind of leather, fake leather, or tightly wound fabric that you can make or is already waterproof. To shape the bag like you want just make a small frame in the football or elliptical shape you want using anything from cardboard to plastic or wire mesh. Insert the frame inside the bag and you can figure out how you would like it to close other than roll down from the top (typical rucksack) which is best for keeping dry.

JanMM

Certainly looks just like an Arkel Tailrider..............

CliftonGK1

I use a $7 Nashbar canti mounted rack and a $25 Nashbar Elite bag. I modified the mount to put the bag on the rack like an Acorn, Ostrich or Berthoud randonneur bag.
It's a big square chunk out in front of the bike. Unless you're racing, the aerodynamics aren't going to be an issue. Take a look at randonneuring gear: Big, boxy front bags mounted on low platform racks.

Here's a pic of my bike before the Flying Wheels century last summer:

mechanicalron

I made one out of my old plastic one gal gass can when I got rid of my car! The red and yellow matched my bike at the time and I left the filler tube pointing up into the air, ha ha! Use a tool-box latchon one end and when you cut the top open, slit some rubber gas line down the middle and slip it over the cut edges. Wala! A weather proof tool kit that pokes fun at all the suv's!

mechanicalron

I make weather proof bags that look great and can mount on any thing and can be any size you wish. They look good at the office or on the trail and I can make any pockets or do-dads you would like!

barturtle

i think so too, but it's a bit smaller and much cheaper...

rumrunn6

Good stuff - gonna tinker this weekend and see if I can fabricate a new setup for this season. That's a nice looking axiom bag. I am kind of tired of looking disheveled. I mean, I'm not a kit wearing roadie (no offense) but I do want to look good.

CliftonGK1

Check out the selection of front platform racks at Velo-Orange. If you don't have canti studs, there are racks which mount to (what are supposed to be) fork taps, but you can use p-clips to mount them instead.
Small platform racks which keep the load as low to the wheel and close to the fork crown as possible as the ones which will have the least effect on your steering.

CastIron

They do indeed look great. Got any more pics?

JanMM

Both would likely be obvious side-by-side.

mechanicalron

They mount like standard bags and the straps on top are fore extra cargo/camping gear and not to mount the bags. the flaps are that big for extra bulky loads and the bags fold out to get HUGE and a draw coard keeps the top closed under the flap. Canvas will keep you warm and dry and can breathe so your stuf don't get smelly!

mechanicalron

O-yea, use your old tires for fenders like this and never break a fender!

CastIron

Very nice. Thanx for the pics!

AsanaCycles

Hunter 29er with Old Man Mountain racks

mechanicalron

I love the ovar all look of your ride, sweet! Looks bomb proof.

Trueblood

here ya go, aerodynamic front bags inspired by the old tailwind panniers from the 80's that supposedly improve your efficiency by 7% - https://www.angletechcycles.com/accessories/techwind.htm