JerWJ

Hi folks, Just bought a Trek 520 the other day, and I want to put a front rack on, but the thing is I want to be able to rest a big handlebar bag on top of it, and I would like for it to be stainless steel (looks better IMO), and fully capable of loading heavy duty panniers . I was looking at this https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...ront-rack.html but it's kinda pricey, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

GeorgeBaby

Well, there's the Nitto Big Front Rack, but it's the same price.

However, you don't need to have a single rack -- you could have a rack for the handlebar bag, and separate low-rider racks. So, go ahead and get one of the VO racks, such as the Randonneur, and then a good set of low-riders, such as Tubus. Stainless is a bit pricey, though.

unterhausen

I can't imagine buying that VO if I could get the Nitto for the same price.

The Surly front rack does what the OP wants.

Stainless is going to carry a premium

sedges

https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXTTB

This is the tall version of a very solid rack. I use the regular size with panniers and a big rack trunk. The only issue with this rack is if you use a kick stand and the front wheel flops around the top back corner of the rack comes up against the down tube on some bikes. On mine it happens to hit on a cable stop. I padded the stop with minicell foam and have had no problems.

I like this rack a lot

Barrettscv 

This isn't stainless but it does come in silver. This Blackburn rack is very stable for heavier loads: https://www.amazon.com/Blackburn-MTF-.../dp/B005ZIQRQI

LeeG

Not pricey, stainless. platform and panniers?

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...ront-rack.html

I have the chrome version attached at cantilever bosses instead of fork crown. The trick is getting panniers with adjustable clips so you can move the panniers back overlapping the brakes for good steering. While low riders are ideal your expectation for low cost and all those features is unrealistic.
It's unclear what you mean by "heavy duty panniers" other than durability but the rack can carry more weight than I'd want on the front wheel.

fietsbob

I have a separate mini rack and a quality low rider rack , rather than require one to do both.

no excess weight, in materials, to span the distance between the 2 ..


Mine was an indy shop fabrication , so no off the shelf same as , thing .. to link to ..

indyfabz

I have one. Worth the money for both strength and looks.

JerWJ

Thanks for all the help! I'm thinking it will probably be best to go with a handlebar bag rack and a low rider rack. Though $90 dollars seems kinda steep for just a handlebar bag rack. I found one of these VO Constructeurs: https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...ront-rack.html for $65 somewhere so maybe i'll just go with that?

fietsbob

Nashbar has a low cost one , its Black , probably Paint, Aluminum .
fork crown mount.. and 2 struts to the ends of the V/Canti, brake bossess.

indyfabz

Huh? Are you planning to attach that and a separate rack for low riders at the same time? That product, assuming it can accommodate panniers, isn't going to put them in a low position. And why do you need a rack for a bar bag in the first place? Why not simply mount the bar bag on, well, the bars? While I don't use one, I have always thought the main point of a bar bag is to have a bag that is easily accessible while straddling the bike so you can get to frequently used items. Why put it way down there?

JerWJ

Because i'm going to be touring with a small dog in the handlebar bag so I want to make sure it is as stable as possible. I simply want the bar bag to be extra stable and to be able to use panniers at the same time.

indyfabz

I don't see how you will be able to attach both that rack and a second rack for panniers. As noted, any panniers you attach to that rack will not be in the low rider position. They will sit up high. You haven't said how large the bar bag is, but that platfrom is not all that big. It's only 9"x4". If the bag truly is large it sounds like some of it will be unsupported by the platform.

You might want to seriously consider the Nitto Big Front Rack. Large from platform and mid-level mounts for panniers all in one package:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez20...57633368316419

I understand it's expensive, but consider the package you will be carrying.

JerWJ

Thanks for the advice. Will definitely consider the Nitto rack! Also the bag is quite big so the panniers will have to go low, seems like the Nitto rack is one of the best you can get!

indyfabz

FYI, I measured mine last night.. The front platform is 5.5" x 12". It also has two cross supports instead of one like the VO rack has.

Have you given any thought to how you will securely attach the bag to the platform?

Medic Zero

I shied away from the Surly front rack when I was in the market for one because some of them were failing. Does anyone know if they fixed what the problem was? I got the Nitto Big Front Rack instead and I've got nothing but nice things to say about it. It has nice little features you might not notice on a website as well like small pegs at the bottom for holding panniers that have a small loop at the bottom and threaded (M5?) holes on each side where you could mount a light. Even after daily use for more than a year it still looks brand new. I think I spent a cool two bills on it, but it looks like an engineering marvel and it's rock steady even under heavy asymmetrical loads.

All that said, if you are looking for a way to support a handlebar bag and a way to carry panniers, I'd be tempted to go with a small rack and a low rider. There are a number of different small racks that are decent and shiny, I think you'll have a harder time finding a low rider pannier rack that is shiny and doesn't cost a fortune. You want one that the two sides are connected for the most stability.

Now, you said the handlebar bag is rather large, I've had great success with extending the length of a rack by attaching a board to the top of the rack. I used to specialize in cargo as a courier, and when I had multiple bankers boxes of documents to haul, I'd just strap a board to the top of my rear rack to extend the length of it to support them two wide. You'll have a lot less weight than the multiple boxes of documents I had on this set-up no matter how much you put in the largest conceivable handlebar bag. It wouldn't even look funny, because you could cut the piece of wood to match the bottom of your handlebar bag, and remove it any time you weren't using it (if you don't use the handlebar bag when not on tour for example).

Medic Zero

I really like my Jannd Expedition rear rack, but the OP said he is interested in stainless. It's probably be pretty easy to get a Jannd rack to a shiny state though, my one complaint about mine is that the paint is flaking off quite a bit where it makes contact with panniers.

FrenchFit 

I had the Surly Nice front rack, it weighed a ton. That experienced turned me off from the solid one piece racks. Like the poster above, I went with a mini up top and lightweight low riders. They share a connection point at the brake bolts, (V brakes). Very satisfied with the result.

GeorgeBaby

And here's an article on putting together a mini-rack, plus a low-rider rack.

indyfabz

Folks, he needs a platform that can support a bar bag that is "quite big" and in which he will be carrying a dog. Not sure a mini rack would be the wisest choice.

Yes. At over 3 lbs. (don't know if that's with or without hardware) the Surly Nice front rack is an anchor.

JerWJ

Well it's more of a basket/bag combo that I rigged up, plan on using bungee cords to strap it down on the top of the rack. I decided the Nitto Big Rack was the best choice. Thanks for all of you guys' help. I appreciate it!