Rack Choice
 

OK...Gathering the final pieces for my Spectrum build.

If you were gonna run a rack...but only one...would you run front or rear?

We're not talking touring...it needs to be stylish/classic...able to throw a pannier on, or support a not huge bag.

BTW...Bike has normal caliper brakes.

My obvious thought is VO Constructeur...front or rear though???

Berthoud fender will be attached to the rack as well...

Thoughts?

I am watching with interest.

i'm partial to front racks. they look so elegant when done up right.

Thumbs up for the VO front rack.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/...ba098256_z.jpg

Bulldogge - does your SPectrum have drops? I think it did, in which case I would not go Constructeur, I'd go low riders or a rear rack. I'm finding my drops interfere with the porteur (granted it's larger) and I can't put much on it. There are some really cool more race bike oriented racks that Tubus makes, but they're spendy. They have a ti one I love.

http://www.tubus.com/en/rear-carriers/airy

buldogge, If the main reason for the rack(s) is style, I'd install matching front and rear VO racks. My racks are utility minded and prefer the Blackburn and Old Man Mountain.

Brad

Hey Aaron... It has eyelets indeed. The Airy is nice...I thought about it for half a second...but...it's $170 more than the VO (internet pricing taken into account). Very little utility is needed here...throw a pannier on every once in awhile...maybe support a small rack bag. Think style over substance for sure... ;)

In this case, no cantis...so...would have to be Constructeur. Looks great BTW!

Many of the NAHBS rando bikes had very nicely executed custom front racks...Ellis and Bishop come to mind quickly.

Hey Brad... I don't need a lot of utility...I think any of the stylish racls can handle some simple panniers...I definitely want some style over real substance here I guess...

With what you're after, yes...I'd go constructeur.

It sure would go nice with some fluted Honjos!

PS...you have NO idea how jealous I am of you and Picchio. I am still hoping the right Kellog falls into my lap. So far I have to dream and make due with my TK designed Merlin.

I love the look of the VO rear rack but I find it less than useful for carrying panniers or really anything more than a small trunk bag.

buldogge, I can't find it now :( , but there is a set of rear racks that are a bit art deco with curving stays, maybe someone can remember.(?)

Brad

PS Found the 'hidden' link: http://www.somafab.com/decorack.html

I prefer rear racks. In my opinion a bike looks faster and cleaner without a rack on the front.
I'm a big fan of how this rack looks: http://shop.linusbike.com/collection...bike-rear-rack
Haven't seen one in person yet though. It's very VO Porteur-like but has a little more to it.
It's on backorder on the Linus store and they told me at the beginning it should be restocked by the end of next month-ish, but it appears to be for sale here, and probably some other places too if you look. http://www.theurbanecyclist.com/prod...ycle-Rack.html

Too bulky...too much going on.

TA

I would prefer stainless or Ti over an alloy rack...although I have looked at the CrMo Tubus Fly.

TA

Even throwing a simple pannier like a Minnehana or somesuch on???

I'm blushing...

Bethoud stainless fenders (40mm) already ordered, BTW.

Give Jeff a call @ Spectrum. He's been making some killer racks lately. They are a bit pricey but, they are sweet looking. I was over there yesterday talking front racks with him

Bilenky also makes VERY sweet racks, often with built in bottle openers.

My own preference is for front load. BUT... especially with a bar bag, it's important that the steering geometry be appropriate. It's pretty likely that your Spectrum has too much trail to be a good "front loader". Any idea what the steering geometry is?

SP
Bend, OR

No idea... and not here to mock up and measure.

I'm leaning towards a rear...

A custom rack would be nice...but...not really in the cards budget wise. Maybe I'll make my own rack when I clear some other projects out of the way...say in the fall/winter (when the framebuilding attempt begins...hopefully).

Suggestion: wait...save some cabbage and get the ti Tubus rack. No need to have the bike perfect from day one, and whenever I've followed the "I want one I can afford but want it now" line of thought, I've regretted it.

I'd buy from the touring store...he's great to do business with and is generally seriously discounted.

I think you're right Aaron...it's funny you wrote that, as I just sent a query to a UK vendor re: an Airy!

-Mark