Anyone have an approximate weight limit or benchmark where your Nitto M12 was unhappy? Pictures of your rack loaded would be a plus. I'm looking to add one to my Cross Check.

The Nitto M12 is a very sturdy rack but not very large. The limiting factors, IMHO, would be the size and whether your fork is sturdy enough for the added weight. There are better racks out there if you intend to use front panniers. I have used mine sparingly because I don't often need the extra storage while commuting. I've got a Rivendell Lil Loafer bag that is easy to install when needed but it doesn't hold much gear. I've also strapped items such as books or boxes for mailing to the rack. However, in general I am not a big fan of carrying weight in the front because it seems to affect handling adversely.

Anyone have a photo of any utilitarian items strapped down: books, beer, boxes, lock, etc? How did you hold it down?

I've got some photos of a fairly bulky box strapped to my rack that I can post later. They are on my iPhone, so I will need to download them on my computer at home after work.

If you google images for Nitto M12, you can probably find some good examples. One of the more interesting photos I saw was a bike with a wire basket zip-tied to the rack, making it very useful for carrying items for knocking around town. If you are considering using it for touring, the rack would be a great place to strap a sleeping bag, which shouldn't be heavy enough to affect handling too much.

What did you have in mind? are you willing to bend the brake bosses on the fork
to find out?

Paul's Flatbed is quite adaptable , bigger platform, Wood and Aluminum ..

The heaviest things I've carried on my M12 are three massive text books (easily 15 pounds) and, on another occasion, a 24-pack of beer. I'm usually riding with something up front as I find it extremely convenient to have a basket. The only time I find having a lot of weight up front as a burden is when the bike is at a stand-still and I'm maneuvering it around because the fork will quickly turn and knock the handlebars into the toptube.....not really a big deal when riding around because I get used to the different steering feel after a minute or two.

Here are a couple of pics of my bike with an M12 and a basket. I really like the M12 because I've attached a blinky under the basket and some reflective strips....good stuff for maintaining visibility when riding at night and I don't have to sacrifice any handlebar real estate.




And here are a couple of pics of a bike I found while in Santa Cruz a couple of years back. This bike has the big basket on it with a different Nitto rack, however I'd wager that it can handle a lot of weight.

I thought I had a photo of my Nitto rack loaded, but these shots are actually of my Salsa Casseroll, which has a rack very similar in size and construction to the Nitto.

The Sam Hillborne and Salsa Casserole both look great. How did you strap that box down, tarwheel? How much do you think it weighs?

The straps holding the box were some that I bought at Performance Bike and they are designed for bike racks. Cost about $5 if I recall correctly. The box on my rack in the photo wasn't very heavy, just bulky, probably 2-3 lbs. I have probably carried more weight in my Rivendell Loafer bag, which is much smaller, with various items like lunch, tools, etc. The box was easy to carry and didn't affect handling much, but it always feels weird to me riding with my view of the front wheel blocked. That's one reason why I am not big fan of handlebar bags, altho they have their place.

My Salsa rack, which comes standard with the Casseroll frame, is actually more useful than the Nitto M12 because it is a little wider and more rectangular, so it's easier to lash stuff down to it. Too bad Salsa doesn't sell them as an accessory. This is one of the cool things about the Casseroll, which is an incredible bargain at about $500 for the frame, fork, seatpost clamp and front rack. They used to also include a matching Salsa stem until they quit making them.

I will post another photo later of the rack with my Rivendell Loafer bag attached. Surprisingly, there are very few options for bags designed to fit Nitto M12 racks, even though they have been around a long time. The nicest ones I have seen are Zimbale, and they are less expensive and appear to be better designed than the Rivendell ones.

https://www.zimbalenorthamerica.com/

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to purchase one.

Reviving this thread to ask a question: Any idea how to attach a small load, such as a U-lock, to the front? Bungees are too loose...

Lock it to the rack, use some 8" bungees, works for me.

Nice XO-1. It's hard to believe how much they go for on eBay now.