Pass & Stow rack
 

I might be interested in ordering a Pass & Stow rack. I will be installing the rack on fork that has a low-trail, so handling should be just right. The rack reportedly stiffens up the fork (according to Jan Heine's review Bicycle Quarterly Vol 8, No 2), effectively reducing the shock absorption of the fork and making the ride a bit more jarring. I will be riding with 32mm - 35mm tires.

Does anyone here use a Pass & Stow rack and, if so, how do you like it? Have you noticed a rougher feel on the front end with the rack installed?

rack
 

check out velo orange

I havent been impressed by the quality of VO products. Plus, I'd like something with better pannier support and internal wiring for my front light.

I will either be going custom with a local builder or with the Pass & Stow -- just curious about that rack in particular since it is readily available and will be more cost effective than an entirely custom rack.

From an engineering perspective, a front rack that attaches via eyelets and the crown is going to offer zero stiffening of your fork, regardless of rake. The stiffness of a 4130 cro-mo rack attached at those three points will not add any significant rigidity to the front end of your bike.
Any hollow tubed rack can be drilled at the stanchions to accomodate internal wiring for dyno hubs.

What problems have you had with VO products? I've been using a VO Randonneur rack and decaleur for my Berthoud frontbag for the 2009 and 2010 rando (and commuting) seasons without issue. My VO Stainless 47mm fenders have held up through almost 3000km of rando events this season, plus commuting miles; rough mileage which rattled loose the internal electronics of a Schmidt Edelux headlamp.

I dont understand how attaching a rack at the eyelets and at the fork crown wouldnt stiffen the fork. Care to explain?

I honestly do not want to derail this thread and discuss VO and their business practices. I will not be buying the VO Porteur rack, thanks.

if that's your concern just fit a small front rack with a Mid blade or brake Post mount rack.
lower half will still flex un dampened.
A big porteur rack and 35 wide tires at a lower pressure will be fine, don't overthink the situation.

The tang used to attach the rack at the fork crown isn't strong enough to offer significant structural support. The angle between the force on the rack stanchions and the attachment tang at the crown still allows for flex in the fork. I shouldn't have said "zero", but it's not going to be a large enough difference to noticeably change the damping effect of the fork.

That said, P&S makes a really nice rack. If that's what you're after, then go for it.
If you're looking locally for an equivalent, ask Dan Boxer what a similar design would cost.

Pan Tour Hubs have an elastomer suspension within them , consider a wheel rebuild using those ,
and the road buzz will be reduced.

Paul's Flatbed Is a more Flexible design.. Aluminum Rod stanchions with a S bend in them
from rack rail to Dropout Eyelet.

Top mount above the headset clamps with a precision piece around the rack surround rail
all parts machined, not welded, to fit together ..

I don't think the OP is trying to reduce road buzz. Knowing the source (BQ) and the low-trail design, I'm guessing this is going on either an older sport-touring type bike with a high-rake (offset) fork as was common for the day, or a modern repro model of similar design. They typically handle better with a low center-of-gravity front load due to the geometry of the front end. The issue becomes one of flexibility from the large degree of bend in the fork, and attaching a rack is a means of trying to stiffen up that design. Especially if using a wider tire like the 32 - 35 the OP mentioned, road chatter won't be an issue.

saw that title Pass and Stow and thought heavy rack? as in Liberty Bell heavy?