Front rack that will work without eyelets
 

I was trying to put a front rack on my bike tonight when I realized it didn't have any eyelets on the front forks.

The guy at Nashbar said they'd work without eyelets but doesn't appear that they will. They only sent me the second page of the instructions anyway. That should have been my first clue.

Anyway.....

Would it be cheaper to buy a new fork with eyelets or a rack/panniers that doesn't require eyelets? I've looked at Old Man Mountain but at almost $200 for the rack alone it's a bit out of my budget.

Suggestions?

I'm biking across country next year from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine so keep that in mind when replying.

Thanks!

I have an Old Man Mountain front rack with a platform that connects to the front brake pegs and is supported by the front skewer, which goes through the rack. This means no quick release of the front wheel.

I use this rack but don't like it. I think it is designed for mountain bikes with shock absorbing forks.

Here is a link: https://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages...rontRacks.html

Thanks for the link. At that price it'd be cheaper to replace the front fork since I'd also have to buy different panniers for that set up.

What about something like:
tubus - LM-1 Montageset für Gabeln ohne Ösen
or
tubus - LM-BF Montageset für Gabeln ohne Ösen

There will likely be others out there if you look

Surly LHT/DT forks go for ~$100. Make sure whatever substitute fork you consider has an axle-to-crown distance within 10mm of your existing fork, otherwise it may/will affect bike handling.

Those would work except I have a carbon fork and it says they're not designed for carbon forks. Luckily I'm German so I can read the page :)

I have no idea what the axle-to-crown is. I'm taking my bike to the shop on Tuesday for its final tune up before it goes into storage for the winter so I think I'll have them help me.

Anyone have any experience with a bike trailer? I guess that's another option instead of a front rack.

Thats handy.

For anyone following that link, there is a language choice flags on the right hand side of the page - apologies to those who missed it.
Click on the Union Jack for English which Tubus is kind enough to provide, unlike the Son dynamo home page last I was there.

I hadn't grasped that you had carbon forks.
I'm not familiar enough with the technology to offer an informed opinion sorry Ty0604.

What bike are you looking at touring on?

I'm touring on my Fuji Newest 3.0. It's not your typical touring bike but the best bike I've ever owned.

I utilise a couple of different trailers with success.
For tarmac I prefer my two wheel trailer which is a Carry Freedom Y-frame and think its a great unit although not great off road.

Someones clip I happen to like:
1 year ago 256 15 02:36 CURVES 'N' TURNS - Trailer

Carry Freedom Website | a bike trailer revolution


For multi surface touring, I prefer a single wheel trailer which is where my Extra-wheel shines.
Bike trailers - Extrawheel.com

My inclination would be to keep panniers well away from your Fuji's forks.

I use a OMM Sherpa and love it. Not sure why you say you'd have to change panniers.

Thanks for the link! I'm really digging this trailer idea. My friend who rode across the US said he wished he'd had one. I wont be doing any off roading aside from the occasional dirt road to the campsite.

How do the trailers handle going downhill? Do they get really squirrelly?

Because the panniers I bought are made for the specific front rack and wont attach to other racks.

As for handling downhill, good question as I upgraded my bike last year to one with disk brakes partly for this reason.
The weight of the laden trailer means you need to think about your braking distances down steep hills.
The trailers also have recommended speed limits.
Cant remember what they are but as I'm a "meanderer" cyclist who likes to enjoy the view my pace is always fairly sedate anyway.
I wouldn't describe either trailer handling experience as squirrelly but you do need to pay attention to what you are doing.
Especially with the two wheel trailer, you need to be very aware of just how close you are to curbs etc.
This isn't at first intuitive but the trailer is much wider than just the bike and it takes a little while for it to impart itself on your grey matter.

A caveat of touring with trailers is almost everyone initially takes too much stuff, because you can.
You end up like Hansel an Gretal leaving a trail, instead of breadcrumbs, excess baggage.

Load heavy items low is the key to the best handling.
I can now laugh at the amount of gear I attempted to take on my first trailer tour.

I looked at the final link and they're nice but not local and the cost of having one shipped to America is crazy expensive.

I travel pretty light. I'd rather have half empty panniers than full ones full of junk I don't/won't need. I found a pretty good trailer that's one wheeled and comes with a bag. Thinking about purchasing that and returning the front rack/panniers. It's $90 US but the reviews are all great.

Ahhh, the Extrawheel trailer was pricy even here in Australia.
I think I had to send to Poland for it.

The two wheeled trailer has plenty of merit and for on road use is actually the one I find most useful.

The single wheel trailer I bought mostly for carrying water for off the tarmac conditions.

If that's the case, why not something like this? Amazon.com : lbera IB-HB4 Bike Handlebar Bag with Padded Shoulder Strap, Small : Sports & Outdoors

I did NC to Ohio with one of those and a seatpost mounted rack from the same company. Here's a pic: http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=486645

How would you load the rear panniers and trailer? Would you put more weight in one or try to even them out? This is the trailer I was considering. The maker doesn't carry replacement tubes for it though but I'm sure they're easy to find.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=486646

The position of my brakes are on the inner part of the handlebars so purchasing one of these would also require moving the brakes etc unfortunately.

Interesting set up on the back. How did you like it? Almost looks as if you could have used your gear as a back support. Was it awkward carrying all your gear up that high?

How about this rack, Minoura FRP-3000 Front Pannier Rack for Touring or Cyclocross Bikes.

http://www.amazon.com/Minoura-FRP-30...clocross+Bikes

Ah, that's a shame.

Yeah it wasn't a good setup having the sleeping bag strapped up top like that. I replaced that setup with a revelate viscacha, and after a bit of downsizing I managed to fit everything in that one bag.

In that picture I had clothes and snack in my handlebar bag, hammock/tarp/bugnet, repair kit, electronics/cables, and some rope in the rear bag, then the sleeping bag strapped up top.

Its a Distance You Measure ,,, the part of the fork crown that counts is the seat of the fork crown Race.

do You Own a Tape Measure?

Unfortunately sprocketss, the Minoura FPR3000 will not fit the OP's Fuji Newest 3.0 bike (caliper brakes) as it lacks canti brake mounts.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=486700

Axle-to-crown distance:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=486701

Loading a Carbon fork is something I would Not recommend .. You are On Your Own .. carry less , leave the rack on the back.

+ a Nice Handlebar Bag.