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Front rack for Surly LHT

Old 07-26-10, 01:29 PM
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Front rack for Surly LHT

I just put a stainless steel Tubus Cosmo rack on the rear of my black LHT.I was going to put the matching front stainless rack on but now am wondering if I might want a front rack with a top shelf. Does anyone know of a front rack in stainless with a top shelf.Also, would anyone care to comment on the usefulness of a top shelf on a front rack.Thanks in advance for any responses.
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Old 07-26-10, 01:43 PM
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You can get the surly nice front rack for your surly lht.I got both front and rear in black on my Surly LHT.
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Old 07-26-10, 01:58 PM
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I really want it to be stainless or at least silver to match the rear rack.
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Old 07-26-10, 02:13 PM
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.Also, would anyone care to comment on the usefulness of a top shelf on a front rack.Thanks in advance for any responses.
Good question. I'd also like to hear some opinions. I'll be looking to get a front rack in a few months.
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Old 07-26-10, 02:14 PM
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The Surly racks are made in silver.
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Old 07-26-10, 02:23 PM
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As for the usefulness of platform, it's useful to put stuff on it. I put a photo backpack across the rack and panniers instead of a handlebar bag. I find the difference in handling between low and high rider negligeable. In fact, I'd say I prefer the high-rider position.
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Old 07-26-10, 02:24 PM
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what size of wheels on your LHT? I had a 700c LHT that tolerated a top mounted load but was happier with low rider load. I now have a 26" wheeled LHT of the same frame size and it does just fine with top mounted panniers AND I have the rack for tying stuff to. So if you've got a 700c LHT i'd look to keep low rider function if you add a top rack. ps. once the bags are on you really won't notice if the rack is silver or black.

Last edited by LeeG; 07-26-10 at 02:28 PM.
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Old 07-26-10, 02:27 PM
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I have 26" wheel on my Surly LHT and yes you can get the surly nice front rack in silver.
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Old 07-26-10, 03:09 PM
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The Surly front rack is powdercoated silver, it is not stainless. Try the Nitto front rack https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...nt-rack/20-187
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Old 07-26-10, 03:39 PM
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pass and stow racks seem like they can be made in silver now. the best platform rack out there hand down.
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Old 07-27-10, 01:49 AM
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I have Blackburn racks, an MTF-1 up front. I chose a platform rack after reading Ken Kifer's rationale for rack-top bags instead of handlebar bags, but I wonder whether he knew about bags that mount on decaleurs/brackets. Next time, I might forgo the platform.

Edit: My bar-end shifter cables kind of get in my bag's way; that's one reason I think a handlebar bag might have been better.

Last edited by iain.dalton; 07-27-10 at 01:53 AM.
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Old 07-27-10, 03:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Chop61
The Surly front rack is powdercoated silver, it is not stainless. Try the Nitto front rack https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...nt-rack/20-187
or this one for maximum capacity https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...k-nitto/20-075
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Old 07-27-10, 07:16 AM
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nitto campee
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Old 07-27-10, 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by iain.dalton
Edit: My bar-end shifter cables kind of get in my bag's way; that's one reason I think a handlebar bag might have been better.
route the derailleur cables up along the bars just like the brake cables. Never understood why manufacturers leave those housings out flapping in the wind.
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Old 07-27-10, 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by LeeG
route the derailleur cables up along the bars just like the brake cables. Never understood why manufacturers leave those housings out flapping in the wind.
Me neither, but I'd have to replace the cables with longer ones to do that. Maybe some time. INBD
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Old 07-27-10, 11:47 PM
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Nitto isn`t stainless it is plated over chromo, which is nice, though I would also accept powder. Carry a little crazy glue for the inevitable scratches.
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Old 07-27-10, 11:51 PM
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As mentioned above, the Blackburn MTF-1 comes in silver. I have it on my LHT and it works well:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...&ModelID=14121
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Old 07-28-10, 04:35 PM
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the nitto doesn't scratch. i have the campee...

there are no stainless platform front racks in production.

i think a platform is unnecessary.
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Old 07-28-10, 05:34 PM
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This Velo Orange rack is stainless.
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Old 07-28-10, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Erick L
This Velo Orange rack is stainless.
I got their earlier chromed version of that rack for the front of a CrossCheck, the neat part is that you can use p-clamps to connect it to the cantilever brake bosses with the fork crown tang at the top cut off. That way the fork can still flex but it's secured well. Not sure if the angle of the back strut works with that one but it's perfect on mine.
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Old 07-28-10, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by positron
think a platform is unnecessary.
A platform seems unnecessary, until you have one. Then you wonder how you got along without it. It sure comes in handy for grocery shopping and heavily loaded touring.
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Old 07-28-10, 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Erick L
This Velo Orange rack is stainless.
It doesn't accomplish what the op seemed to be looking for -- a low rider rack with a platform in stainless. None of the V-O stuff supports low-rider panniers. They are hung up on immitating the French in the 50's.
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Old 07-28-10, 10:50 PM
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It doesn't accomplish what the op seemed to be looking for -- a low rider rack with a platform in stainless.
I was responding to positron about the existence of SS front racks with platform, but the OP doesn't mention lowriders at all.

I have a Surly which I bought for the low-riders and platform but after trying the high-riders, I don't use the low-riders anymore. I don't know how much weight the VOs can handle though.

Originally Posted by LeeG
I got their earlier chromed version of that rack for the front of a CrossCheck, the neat part is that you can use p-clamps to connect it to the cantilever brake bosses with the fork crown tang at the top cut off. That way the fork can still flex but it's secured well. Not sure if the angle of the back strut works with that one but it's perfect on mine.
Do you have photos of your setup? How much weight do you think it can handle? I put a photo backpack on the platform, which can weigh 7 pounds, plus the front panniers. Thanks

Last edited by Erick L; 07-28-10 at 10:55 PM.
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Old 07-28-10, 11:56 PM
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A front platform is quite useful. I have the tent and a spare tarp lashed to the front. On days with intermittent rain, I'll also have the rain gear lashed to the front rack where I can reach it quickly if I need it.
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Old 07-29-10, 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Erick L

Do you have photos of your setup? How much weight do you think it can handle? I put a photo backpack on the platform, which can weigh 7 pounds, plus the front panniers. Thanks
no photo but it's pretty straightforward, the small back of the rack is nearly parallel with the brake cable and 3/4" forward of it, the platform is level and I used p-clamps that were slightly larger than strut because the angle of the p-clamp and the strut were a few degrees off. The first time I installed it I used p-clamps that were the exact size of the strut but it made the front end somewhat stiff. In my paranoia I wondered if hard jarring (riding off curbs) could weaken the cantilever bosses but I'm guessing not as much as racks that put their weight on the bosses. I took it off and road without for 1/2 yr. then re-installed it with larger p-clamps and that seemed to allow for some vertical movement in the forkblades. Again this may all be in my head. It's absolutely solid side to side and fore/aft. I'd feel comfortable putting more on it than I'd want on the front of the bike, 25lbs? The support is all vertical to the eyelets without any loading on the bosses.
The platform isn't long enough to mount Ortlieb panniers to comfortably and the tubing is too narrow. My intention is to use it for six pack sized loads, compression sack, or pannier-less front loads using two 13liter dry bags clicked together at the closure buckles then layed over the rack and strapped on the sides vertically. If the bags weren't stuffed enough to keep from from falling between the vertical struts I'd lash some 1/8" polyester line between the struts.

Last edited by LeeG; 07-29-10 at 12:37 AM.
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