Inexpensive, solid front rack
 

I recently completed a hybrid to drop-bar gravely-tourer conversion (longer post is in C&V) and worked out an inexpensive solid-stable front rack. It's something I saw on the web, though I did it a bit differently. After considerable searching on BF I haven't run across this option, so I thought I'd throw it out there for others..and their searches at some point.

Axiom low-riders with a fabricated hoop. They feel as stable as the Jandd "low front rack" I have on another bike.

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To make a long story short, I had trouble fitting a rack to one of my bikes, the Tubus Tara and Ergo both fit poorly on my particular fork that has some odd characteristics, ended up ordering those Axiom front racks in desperation. I tried a hoop like you did but I thought it was too flexy, perhaps my materials were lighter duty than you used for a hoop.

So for a plan B, I instead used a brace that attached to the inside of the fork mid-fork mount, like a Tubus Duo uses. That was much stiffer. I think a hoop like you used is better if it is stiff enough, as in a crash I suspect that the inner brace like I used would put more stress on the fork than a hoop, but so far mine has worked well. I did have one low speed fall where the front wheel dove into some loose soil and both I and the bike went down, thus the weight of the front of the bike landed on an Ortlieb Frontroller which was attached to that rack, but there was no damage to the fork from that.

My fork is unusual that the upper rack mount is farther forward of the fork blade instead of centered on the blade like most other forks, the lower mount is also up higher on the fork and further back than typical, thus Tara and Ergo both gave me an upper bar that was far from horizontal. The Axiom rack is not quite horizontal but is is closer, so that is what I am using for now. I am still on the hunt for a front rack that I like better, but that is now a low priority as the Axiom has been adequate. I will be using the Axiom again this year.

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Interesting fork and rack-solution. Triangles..always good for stiffening things up. I was a little concerned about the standard Axioms (no hoop) twisting under load..the hoop seemed like a good option. I bought three different bar-stock sections (3/4 x 1/8 aluminum, 1/2 x 1/8 aluminum, 1/2 x 1/8 steel) and pondered on them a bit. I needed 22 inches for the hoop..even though it was a little heavier, I went with the steel bar as it was stiffer overall. At this point the whole assembly(rack, hoop, wheel, fork..) feels like one solid unit. If the weather ever breaks for more than one day around here, we'll be loading it up and see how it does. I expect it'll be fine...I can report back once we get some miles on..

When I tried a hoop, I used 1/8 X 3/4 Aluminum bar stock, that is what I decided was too flexy. I can see where steel gives you the stiffness you need.

The brace on mine is steel, not because I thought it was better but because it was the nearest thing to hand at the moment.

Regardless of our method to solve a problem, I think it clear that the Axiom rack as sold is not an adequate rack by itself. It needs some reinforcement. I have better racks that I use on other bikes, but unfortunately they fit poorly on that particular bike.

There are only two things I like about the Axiom rack compared to my other racks. (1) The panniers are mounted a couple inches higher than they are on other racks. On my expedition bike where I am often off road, I like having the panniers up higher. And (2) that bike I transport in an S&S case, the Axiom rack when removed from the bike is easy to pack, as the two halves are pretty thin when packed.

well, I'm impressed by both of you, coming up with solutions like this. Pretty neat.

I've never liked the look of those axioms, have seen them for years now and again, and always think.....geez, one good twist motion.....

re your hoop, heck when I think of my original Blackburn low rider, and how flexy it was and still is, I reckon your modification has to be at least as sturdy, and frankly from the photo it looks more sturdy.
I never carried much weight on the front back then, and so never had any real issues with flex, so it just worked and I didnt know any better. A bunch of years ago I used it for the first time in ages, and on that trip when I filled and overfilled my front panniers with groceries once, it was flexy, but again, I took it easy and it was ok.

I certainly appreciated the Tara , combined with a diff bike with a much stiffer front end and fork in general, so diff from back in 1991, but then lets be honest, I had as much as fun back then , even though of course its better that stuff is better nowadays.

tourist, neat triangle idea you had there.

[QUOTE][/ To make a long story short, I had trouble fitting a rack to one of my bikes, the Tubus Tara and Ergo both fit poorly on my particular fork that has some odd characteristics, ended up ordering those Axiom front racks in desperation. I tried a hoop like you did but I thought it was too flexy, perhaps my materials were lighter duty than you used for a hoop. QUOTE]
I believe the Thorn rack works perfectly on the Thorn fork. SJS cycles carries them.

[QUOTE=Rick;20884551]Yup, considered that, but I really like having a pannier mounted a few inches higher when off road. But thanks.

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Just assembled and installed the second 'modified Axiom front racks'. Feels very solid..nothing moves, or can move.

This one has a slight (6 degree) slope, as level as I can get it..but I think it'll work fine. The pannier hangers fit between the top-rail pins.

I used the same Axiom and was able to level it by using a little hardware from another kit. In the first picture, you can see the acorns nuts (attached by the U bolt to the forks) and how going to the under corner of the cross beam brought the whole thing level. To keep the bare bolt from scratching the rack, I used the hard plastic sleeves from another kit. This also gave it amazing stability. In the fourth pic you can almost see the other mod: a flat, plastic coated bar (again from the other kit) that sits at a diagonal and keeps all the hardware from scraping the fork. So far it has been rock solid with a 15 lb load on each side. In the last pic, you can see the small rack I have over the front wheel. What I imagine, and seek confirmation here, is whether or not a bar between P clamps (running from the forward edge of the Axiom to the closest edge of the front of the top rack) would support and prevent rack "splay" under stress?

I have no clue, I have only used forks that were designed for a rack to be attached, have not used U bolts.

Good luck.

My Axioms were less than optimal because, with only two bolts, they oscillated on that axis. They have since been replaced with a rack that has a similar U-loop

May I ask how did you bend that steel bar stock to form your hoop ?

When I needed to bend it(first and second time) I looked around the shop and found a 4 inch, 90 degree PVC elbow. Clamped it to the bench and used the larger collar of the elbow to wrap the bar stock around. Pull it hard from each end to keep the radius of the bend uniform. I match up center-lines on the bar stock and seam on the PVC elbow before bending.

It might be better to clamp the bar and elbow center point together before bending..maybe next time..

Make sure the bar-ends are a uniform length. The ends attach to the rack sides by the bolt-hole-threads already in the rack..naturally..you need to drill holes in the proper place in the bent hoop. Just replace the front-top OEM rack bolt (5mm) with a longer SS bolt..takes about 5 minutes to assemble. I have the bar-ends about 2 inches beyond the hole where the rack attaches. The bar lays along side the rack tubing-rod. I use a very tight zip tie to secure it. It doesn't move..nowhere for it to go.

I'll post a pic..it'll be a few days..traveling right now..

Thank you. I've always wondered why Axiom didn't Supply a support of that nature. To me it always seemed like a no-brainer

Iv'e always tried to fix those racks parallel to each other Long U bolt & a flat piece clamp on the fork blade 2 nuts clamping that..

on the outside ends an acorn nut and 2 more nuts clamping the rack from the inside out

un-screwing them tightens the rack between them & the acorn nut.


that's, essentially . how the directions on the classic Blackburn low rider racks.. read..


in # 10 the acorn nut is too far out It would be poking into the back of your bags,, try again..






...

Pics, as promised.
The hoop-bar is mounted between the Axiom inner rod and outer rack frame.
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I have a Jandd front rack and it comes in at 425g on my lab-scale. Their website says 752g..not sure what that's about. The modified Axiom rack with an added steel hoop, including mounting hardware, comes in at 490g.

Initially didn't seem a problem (thought the backing hardware on the bags was sufficient), but I kept an eye on it and you were right!

Fixed it today!

Thanks....:thumb:

Cool thread. 👍 I’m using those Axioms on my recently aquired Miyata six ten, and haven’t had any problems really. I had to grab some longer bolts, and flat washers & lock washers, to dial it in, but I like them, overall.

I don’t feel a strong “need” for that brace, but I definitely like the idea. 🙂