Front rack with platform?
 

I want to add a front rack to my Windsor. I need something that has a platform so I can mount a trunk bag to. I may also add panniers down the road. I have an extra boss on each fork (about half way down each blade) that I am assuming is to mount a rack. Am I right on this?

Can anyone recommend anything? I do not need top end but I do not want something that can't take everyday commuting.

The sturdiest I can think of is the Surly "Nice Rack". It's on the pricey side, but it's gonna take a beating like no other and it fits your requirements of being able to mount a trunk bag and panniers.

The Surly is a pretty huge rack, might be a bit of overkill. I've also heard mixed reviews of it, and if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a rack I'd rather just buy a Nitto - never had an issue with Nitto racks, except that they cost almost as much money as any bike I'd put them on.

If you just want a regular rack trunk on the front, you could mount a Pletscher rack (Rivendell has photos of it mounted on the front of a bike. You can also get a cheap front rack that mounts to the cantilever posts, though you'd want to check the size to see if it could carry your intended load, something like this. For a platform with pannier capabilities, I've used this Blackburn rack, which is a very good value at that price. Jandd makes a front rack as well that has a platform that can also have panniers mounted to it, though I've never used one.

I mostly have Velo Orange (Constructeur, Rando and Pass Hunter) and Nitto (Campee, with low rider frames that are removable) front racks on different bikes. Pricier, though (I got most of them used while trolling ebay), and again, if you are looking to mount a rack trunk up front the platform may not be long enough.

I think a bike is incomplete without having complete crap-hauling capacity, if you couldn't already tell.

Old Man Mountain - Cold Springs model is the way to go. Completely bombproof.

Any trunk bag is going to look pretty dorky off the front of the bike, and there will be more weight further out from the steering axis, which has the potential to more adversely affect handling.

I have a VO Contructeur rack on the front, considered a trunk bag, but it stick out quite far off the front of the rack. Ended up making a wood platform to support a Bailey Works rack bag.

not to discourage you on an equipment purchase, but do you already have a rear rack and panniers? I have a front rack on a used bike I recently purchased and so far the only thing I have felt a need to put up there is a pizza. I like to make sure my pizza box does not move around on the ride home and the beer rides better in the panniers.

That said, the front rack is a blackburn and is built as sturdy as my delta mega on the back of my commuter.

The Surly Nice is overkill, as said.

That cheap, small, light Sunlite front rack (eBay, Amazon) works great, assuming it can secure on your bike. Mine makes use of the canti bolts. I have small handlebar bag I keep on the rack (two diff bikes), I think it's a Topeak. It's lower, out of my line of sight, and the handlebar attachments aren't in the way of hand positions, perfect.

If you want a pannier system too, I suggest a minimialist system unless you are touring. The Jannd low comes to mind, and there are similar cheap ones on eBay. Yes, those eyelets are for securing the front rack, but these days most front racks aren't made specifically for that connection point because they are on so few bikes. Fit is a big deal, you really need to analyzse how a particular rack component might secure to you bike, and whether you can adjust and level it, before you buy.

My experience is weight is a huge deal unless you are talking fully load tour rig. You don't want a massive system that extends its weight beyond the front wheel hub or the handling of your bike will turn to crap. Think less is more.

I have a Jandd Extreme front rack, it's definitely sturdy but not the cheapest. I mostly use it for is to carry bulky light weight items that will cause little effect on my steering, and it frees up space on my rear rack and panniers for the more heavier items.

Let me explain my need for a front rack: I have a really nice handlebar bag I like a lot. But I commute during the early morning and use a headlamp. The bag blocks the headlamp.... except if I build another mount for the light. When I used the Jamis as my main commuter I had built a mount whereas the light could be mounted below the bag. That bike had flat bars and the Windsor has drops.

So either I keep trying to find a way to mount my headlamp lower on the Windsor, or go with the frontrack/bag option. And I refuse to try a helmet mounted lamp!!

how about one of these?
http://paulcomp.com/ginolightmount.html

there is a racktime topit rack that fits your description. they are made by the same company that makes tubus. 45.00 bucks. http://www.bikebagshop.com/racktime-...cks-c-310.html

BTW, don't let anyone talk you out of a front rack. I have the bomb proof Surly Nice Rack and I put ride maps on mine. I tied a sprinkler I bought at Lowe's to it the other day to make sure it didn't fall off unbeknownst to me. I will be using mine more when I start my tour in September. I don't use it a whole lot for daily commuting but when I do I'm glad I have it.

I have a Paul's flatbed, its a wide Porteur's rack type, EZ to mount .. aluminum .
14"x18" capacity .. so you can go retrieve pizzas with it. wood pieces for the load area..
http://www.paulcomp.com/flatbed.html

Have a a narrow wheel top rack?, adding a piece of plywood makes it more practical ..