Originally Posted by
will015
wow, a 7-rail CETMA. What do you carry on that thing? I've got a 5 rail and have found it to be very unstable with more than a couple of pounds and even that significantly slows down my steering. It's better on my old Raleigh sports and sprite but terrible on all my modern bikes. I feel like I should really like the idea of a porteur rack just haven't cared for it in practice.... Now maybe a Kogswell might change my mind. Do you find it difficult to control with the 68mm or so of trail?
I kind of splurged on it because I figured $20 wasn't much difference and I didn't want to regret having too small of one down the line. In practice I think the 5 rail would have been enough.
I really haven't used it for anything heavy on the Raleigh and in fact don't use it much anymore since my girlfriend likes to get groceries delivered by Safeway (I got it when I was a bachelor and used it for groceries mostly, with a big plastic crate). I might even get rid of it, since I've put a rear rack on recently and will probably get a pannier or two. I'm giving it about six more months, and if I don't find much use for it in that time, I'll let it go.
I definitely agree that it impacts steering heavily, and I kind of miss being able to ride no handed once in a while. If I keep keep it I think I'll buy a steering stabilizer. I'm not sure if the stabilizer will help no-handed riding, but it'll at least make it easier to park.
Another option I think is really cool is a frame-mounted front rack. It should take care of all the steering issues. Something like
this.