Can anyone help me find a front rack to fit my frame? It has rack eyelets at the dropouts and a set up high - just below the brakes, about 11+ inches above the lower eyelets. Is this a standard? The frame was made by Jeff Lyon. Most front racks I see are the low rider type and won't fit this bike.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

The second set of eyelets underneath the brakes are likely for a small front rack like the V-O Randonneur. I don't know of any rack made to fit panniers that mounts to those eyelets, although you could probably make one of the more adjustable Nitto ones work.

Or just mount it with P-clamps.

My Nitto/Rivendell Big Front Rack is mounted at the fork end eyelets and with p-clamps up above. A few companies make p-clamps for bikes, but the Nitto ones were a little small for my chunky early 90's chromoly fork, so I cut my own with tin snips and thin aluminum stock and scissors taken to an old tube. Some people prefer to skip the gasket and crank their metal clamps own directly to the fork.

I've had no problems with slippage or breaking, despite frequently carrying loads on a single side, including a single Ortlieb filled to the brim with books.

I was skeptical at first, but I'm sold on p-clamps after no issues over 4,000 miles on rough roads.

Do you also want rack advice? I give more than full marks to my Old Man Mountain front rack and the aforementioned Nitto. Both pricey, but bombproof.

When low-riders first came out, the only eyelets on forks were down at the drop outs. Thus, the racks came with U-bolts and nuts to attach the top of the low-riders to the forks. You could do the same thing. Plastic-coated U-bolts and nuts are available in some hardware stores. I still use these on a thirty-year old bike with correspondingly aged low-riders.

Hi Mike,
I'm unfamiliar with your bike but heres a couple of links I have with the emphasis on stainless steel
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...urs/racks.html

https://www.gillesberthoud.fr/anglais...s/resultat.php
Gilles site is fairly stone age but his gear is regarded as top notch.
I dont have one of his racks but do have his stainless mudguards.

pics of Berthoud:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/strongl...7604219245046/
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/berthoud.asp


I can dig up more but let me know if this is the type of racks you have in mind.
Cheers

I really like my Nitto Big Front, which I got to replace my stolen Beckman front platform rack. Have used it on some very rough, unpaved roads. Not only is it bomb proof, it's good looking. Never had a problem with the P-clamp attachment. IIRC, Rivendell provides two different clamp sizes. The lower mount has two different holes, which provides some height flexibility. Contrary to the installation video on Rivendell's website, I do not have to remove the front wheel or skewer in order to attach it. But as noted, if you are on a tight budget, it's not for you.

I've always used 'high racks' rather than low riders. I've made mine out of standard well built rear racks and customized the necessary framing to fit the specific bike I needed one on. (I have a home work shop)
Having said that though, "rifraf" has given you some great options that are already built and you should be able to select one that will fit your bike. Just make sure that whichever one you select will allow your panniers to hang without interfering with your brake assembly, and will give enough room for your shoes and pedal stroke while turning.

Thanks very much for the replies. Very informative. I was afraid that was the case with those eyelets. I'm just trying to arrange my commuter to distribute weight a little better. I sometimes have a lot to carry.

You all have given me a lot of options.

Thanks,

Mike

This is the Bruce Gordon Front Mountain Rack. I have been very pleased to use it on and off pavement for almost thirty years. The CroMo tube rack becomes an extension of the bike.