sprocketss

Anyone use and have an opinion of these front pannier racks. From the reviews they seem generally well liked.

https://www.amazon.com/Minoura-FRP-30...ustomerReviews

Tourist in MSN

I have never seen this rack but I am interested in it, I have a fold up bike that uses a 24 inch front wheel, has cantilever brakes but no mid fork mounts for a rack. That rack might fit it. For the different wheel size I might have to drill a couple holes in the rack for the bracket, but that is not a deal breaker for me.

I wonder if a pannier could slide off the back? Might need to add a bracket (P clip, hose clamp, something else perhaps?) to prevent panniers from moving backwards on the horizontal bar? That would not be a deal breaker for me either.

sprocketss

I'm thinking about ordering it through Amazon, with their excellent return policy I can always return it.

seeker333

Why buy an unknown lowrider rack when you can get the proven steel Tubus Tara for 10 bux less? Wiggle delivers to the East Coast of USA in about 3-5 days.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/tubus-tara-lowrider-front-rack/

sprocketss

I have been considering the Tubus, however, I'm in Canada and I can get the Minoura for $60 and free shipping, a $37 dollar difference to the Wiggle price, ($97.00 CAD). I am still considering my options, the one complaint I've read for the Minoura is the weight, the pro being that it is a steel rack. The Minoura is most likely is a high quality front rack, as I respect the quality from Japan. I am just considering other options.

Tourist in MSN

In my case it would be for a bike without the mid fork mounts.

I used to use a Surly front rack but decided it is too big, cumbersome and too heavy. I switched to Tubus Ergo for touring on other bikes that have the mid fork fittings.

seeker333

Yes, FRP3000 would be a good choice for bikes w/o mid mounts or eyelets. ATM I can recall only Old Man Mountain in the same design, which costs twice as much. I misread the Amazon price earlier as $92, it's currently $65.

Minoura rack should be pretty sturdy since it does appear to be steel (Amazon reviewer mentioned rust). I have a Minoura Deluxe wheel truing stand which has worked well for over a decade and 15 wheel builds.

Only thing about the mount-thru-axle-with-skewer types is they are a bit more trouble when you have to repair a flat. The FRP300 weighs almost the same as a JandD Extreme rack which adds a top platform,

OP, I say go for it, especially since I now know it's steel and relatively inexpensive. If you get tired of it you it should be easier to sell than other front racks due to it's universal bike fit.

Here's an Amazon tip (if it works the same in CA as USA) - sign up for Amazon Prime 30 day trial. The trial is free because you are not charged until after 30 days. Product ships to your door in 2 days and if you don't like it you print a shipping label, box it and return it, with no return shipping cost or restocking fee under certain conditions. If you don't like Prime you can cancel within 30 days without being charged. If you don't need the rack immediately, you may want to wait 6 weeks until Black Friday, as Amazon typically has their lowest prices then, and a Prime membership (or trial) really comes in handy then if you are considering multiple items for purchase.

More pictures here:

https://www.minoura.jp/english/rack/front/fpr-3000.html

InTheAether

Nashbar Front Rack

For $20 its hard to go wrong with one of these! I have the Blackburn this is licensed from and it's held up great for over 20 years.

fietsbob

I still have the Blackburn I got 30 years ago .. add one of the Nashbar mini racks on top if you want ..

Got a LBS employee deal on Bruce Gordons racks in the 80's He and Beckman worked together back then,

now they Compete with each Other .. so racks and bags are not compatible like they were back then ..