You're right! I guess I inferred that he wanted low riders because he intended to use tubus front rack (low riders) but reconsidered searching for a rack with added platform function.

Bob

sorry, to clarify, I meant a lowrider/platform combo. I htink that that little rack is nice for a french style handlebar bag, but if you also want front panniers that would not work well.

I do have one, and I like it (nitto campee with removable lowrdier mounts) but i guess I just see it as a nice thing, not necessary if you have a solid lowrider rack and good front panniers plus a handlebar bag... not saying its useless, just that given the few options for the OP (in stainless or silver that are nice quality etc. ) that it shouldnt be a deal breaker... I also have a black tubus duo which is much lighter weight by a couple pounds, and doesnt really affect the capacity I can carry when touring...

What I'd like to see is a "mid-rider"/platform combo for 26" wheels where the pannier support bar is just below the brake studs and not mounted as far down as the mid fork mount. I could imagine a very simple construction like the Velo-Orange/Nitto rack shown with a horizontal bar extending back about 2" aft of the forks on the vertical struts which then is supported by a short section to the mid fork below it. That way the panniers could still be mounted in line with the fork and not forward so much which seems to happen as the panniers are mounted higher than low riders.

Low rider + a top of the wheel rack, as 2 separate things is what I used, [though I didn't need stainless stuff]

Tubus has a Stainless Low rider , then get a different rack for the top. as others have mentioned,
one that braces to the cantilever pivot braze on, and the fork crown, perhaps?

FWIW, Bruce Gordon has introduced a version of his lowrider rack made to bolt right on Surly LHT forks , Powder coated,
as someone who will custom build most anything , he may be willing to use stainless tubing or at least silver powder coat.

I have a 20 year old set of his racks ,still fine ..

Yes, absolutely not necessary, but it sure is handy when there's a big sale on paper towels. :lol:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QpthbE4CW-E/TF...2/DSC_1021.JPG

I thought about that but ended up getting the Surly front rack. The separate platform racks that fit with separate lowriders are for very light duty and have a small surface. I wanted a carry the kitchen sink capability.