I learned a long time ago that 10lbs less , ie 35 instead of 45 or 50 made a huge difference in enjoyment for me. Getting it even lower would be nice but for most camping trips I figure I will always be between 30-40, but every pound or so helps.

I have used good quality rear racks, alu ones in the $20-30 range for years, putting easily 25lbs on these rear racks. Cuz of this, I am sure any reasonable front platform rack will handle the 10-15lbs tops that would go in these bags.

the real issue is the length of the platform. I seem to recall reading that the minimum length of a platform is about 7.5 inches. I just measured the bags, or rather the distance between the two main straps joining the bags together, and they are 7.5 inches, the bags themselves extend back and front of these velcro straps, but I figure a rack with 8 or 9 inches of top area platform should work. (take a peek at the website and photos to see what I mean regarding these straps)

another factor to consider is the vertical struts of said front rack, you'd want enough support of two struts to stop the bags from swinging into the wheel. So in other words the front rack would have to be conceived for carrying bags, not just a platform with a single vertical support strut. The bags are reassonably stiff, so with two struts that the bags can go against, they'd be fine.

I hope other people chime in with ideas of racks.

racks like this fit the size bill, cost and weight etc, but on a bike like mine with cantis and a carbon fork, I cant see how you'd attach the top part of the rack to the forks.

http://www.mec.ca/product/1805-118/m...ck/?f=10+50159

http://www.mec.ca/product/5038-859/s...ck/?f=10+50159

thats what appealed about the Old Man Mountain rack, it attaches to the canti or v brake studs, and on top of it, it seems like a really sturdy rack that you could use with heavier front panniers without any concerns.