Originally Posted by MMACH 5 (Post 13892851)

With some aluminum angles, rivets, screws and a Dremmel tool, you can DIY.

Originally Posted by Rona (Post 13893290)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9U_uWp0W9...0/DSC03611.JPG

Cordo, found in thrift store for 3 dollars each. Very durable. Got two of them. One lined up great with the side eyelets on Oldest Son's Cannondale. Second one fit on Youngest Son's Peugeot Rimini with the supplied fittings.

Originally Posted by himespau (Post 13893422)

Wow, $3? That's amazing. Great find.

Originally Posted by njkayaker (Post 13892417)

The u-clamps are used when there aren't mid-fork eyelets.

The mid-fork eyelets are typically in a fairly standard location and all the rack manufacturers know about them.

Maybe, the positioning of the eyelets on your bike isn't standard.

The Axium rack should work with them too.

Originally Posted by Chris_in_Miami (Post 13893551)

The problem with the Axiom and Blackburn is that the upper mount tab has a horizontal slot, and it's well above the mid-blade eyelets. The Jandd works without adapters because the tab has a vertical slot, so it lines up with the eyelet at some point. The vertical slot type rack won't work with u-bolt adapters, but the Tubus mid-fork adapters will work with those racks.

I was surprised to learn about this when I picked up this rack (forgot the brand) for my Schwinn, the horizontal slot is about 2 inches too high. The rack needs the adapters on two other touring bikes I've tried.

Originally Posted by njkayaker (Post 13894224)

An old, original Blackburn Lowrider rack fits on my Rocky Mountain Sherpa. There are two horizontal slots (about an inch apart). The top horizontal slot works.

Maybe, there are two standard positions for the eyelets.

Originally Posted by himespau (Post 13892634)

I have the jannd extreme rack, which is awesome and allows a platform and low panniers on the front. It comes with P-clamps, but can use mid-fork eyelets if you have them instead.
http://www.jandd.com/ProdImages/Rack...xtremeRack.jpg
Lots of mobility in mount choice options as you can slide the hardware up and down wherever to match your eyelet/clamp location. Just a great rack, but it's super heavy. Not enough to notice in your steering (until you load it up), but it definitely makes the fork flop a lot more when you're not moving even unloaded.

Originally Posted by Chris Pringle (Post 13889725)

Just remember that you get what you pay for. Virtually all inexpensive racks are made of aluminum. They will do OK on smooth roads and with lighter loads. For commuting, they're great. If they ever break down in the middle of nowhere while touring, however, you may have to stop your trip or figure out a way to carry your front panniers until you get a replacement. They cannot be fixed (welded) like you can with a steel rack. These racks a good way to get into touring though but if you already "paid a premium" for your bike, try to find something made of steel. I simply can't find a new inexpensive low-rider front rack made of steel for you. :( Maybe someone here has some ideas.

Originally Posted by draig (Post 14998596)

What frame you running this rack on? I've heard that it bumps against the top tube when you rotate the handlebars to the side.

Originally Posted by himespau (Post 13892634)

I have the jannd extreme rack, which is awesome and allows a platform and low panniers on the front. It comes with P-clamps, but can use mid-fork eyelets if you have them instead.
Lots of mobility in mount choice options as you can slide the hardware up and down wherever to match your eyelet/clamp location. Just a great rack, but it's super heavy. Not enough to notice in your steering (until you load it up), but it definitely makes the fork flop a lot more when you're not moving even unloaded.