Front Rack that attaches to frame only
 

I'm looking for a front rack that works like the ones on bikes with integral racks; they stay pointing forward even when the front wheel/handlebars turn keeping the load in line with the frame. I'm sure one must be made by someone.

I'm not aware of any. One problem is that it pretty much has to clamp onto the frame members, but they're not uniform size or spacing. I suppose you can make your own, or buy a conventional basket and work out mounting details for it.

Find a picture of a rack you like then take your bike to a welding shop to have it made and installed.

A bit of a commitment, but I will think about it.

"I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe." Please explain this to me. I am genuinely curious.

My 2010 Workcycles Secret Service came with a front rack that's secured to the steerer tube with U-clamps. Later versions seem to bolt-on to downtube fittings, but maybe a dealer has one of the old ones around somewhere?

Clamping to the any other tube than the steerer is not recommended - wall thickness on the steerer is usually about 2-3mm, which is way thicker than the rest of the frame. Welding... don't go there.

Clipless physically tie you to the bike preventing quick escape if necessary in an emergency.

Oh yes, this is a point of view I will not debate nor argue about.

Here.

Hey, I wasn't going to debate it or argue it. I started on clipless pedals when I was pushing 50 and my brain simply never got comfortable enough with them that I felt safe - it wasn't second nature. I fell over a couple of times and have seen others fall over at lights, etc. The sucky part for me was that the first time I fell over I was trying the cycle-cross concept on the steep of a dirt road, and I felt myself falling - and I unclipped on the wrong side. And I had those darn dual pedals with the claws and I tore open the back of my ankle. I wasn't mad at the clips but furious at the claws on the pedal, but mostly I just laughed at the slow motion of it all. I won't use clipless unless I am just rolling along an empty road, never in the city or 'burbs, so I think we are in agreement.

Thank you! This is it. I knew some ingenious engineer would have gotten this together. It makes so much sense. I am going to get one to try.

these people make them

http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/workc...ansport-bikes/

you can contact their dealer in seattle

http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/

Thanks. I actually bought that rack - and the whole bike attached to it;-).

no pics yet...doesn't count unless there are bike pics

Okay! At long last. Mathilda has been in the states for quite awhile. She arrived from the Netherlands the day I moved and then I promptly left for three weeks. When I got back it didn't seem prudent to unpack a bike before unpacking clothing, dishes, etc. so there she sat. Eventually, I tired of the huge box in the hallway, and unpacked and assembled her. Took what seems like ages for me to find the crate and then to get it (Rolling Orange, Brooklyn, NY).

First impressions: damn, this thing is heavy. Very weird to turn the wheel and not have the crate track but it definitely makes it unnoticeable on the handling. I'm working on adding the drink & phone holder (no braze-ons, who knew?), and will get a new mirror. The ride is great but I don't like the seat; it squeaks and is too broad. I didn't get it with the Brooks saddle because I had one once and didn't care for it, and I didn't want to worry about it being stolen. The seat tube is weird as the saddle plugs straight in so it looks like I have to change the seat tube to change the saddle.

It is fun to ride but it is heavy to scoot towards you. I love having a women's frame. Someday, I would love this bike having shed 20lbs!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=340683http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=340684

Re: the saddle, you don't show a picture of how it attaches, but you shouldn't need to replace the whole seatpost. I was a little confused too with the child saddle I got with my Workcycles Fr8 because it "plugged" straight onto pipe/"seatpost" and I wanted to replace it with a more cushy gel seat for my daughter. It turns out all I needed was one of these old school seat rail claims for the top of the seatpost and could attach a standard saddle: http://www.amazon.com/SBS-Seat-Rail-Clamp-Silver/. Hope that helps, and I really hear you on the "I love this bike but wish it was 20 lbs lighter."

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Yea, I was in the same situation. I finally gave up waiting for a Weldor with Inert Gas equipment , and did the job myself, using Fiberglass, Starting with a piece of Styro... Expanded Polystyrene Building Insulation, I made a half round gouge in one end (easy to carve, the Styro'...) Butt End spliced it to the Head Tube with Epoxy/Fiberglass. Then wrapped the outside with more Fiberglass / Epoxy "Lashings" . Let me look for the Youtube video on "HowTo"...


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Tutorial Video:

less Kludgy [sorry, 'hotbike'] Brompton , mounting block on the head tube, bag-racks are QR.