Fav Front rack for Basketpacking

[Rayne_in_Spokes]

I'm seeking a rack and basket for my G-Road! What do y'all like? I've used a Mark's Rack and Wald before with my Swift basketbag and it works well enough, but I feel there's a little more sway than I like if it's loaded up.

[cvbm]

On the heavy side but I used a Surly Nice Rack that I zip tied (read: a **** ton of zip ties) a Wald 137 to and then a Swift Sugarloaf in the bag. Occasionally used panniers too.

Not the best experience steering but I got used to it and rode at least 1k miles with that set up

IMG_3107 by 131319, on Flickr

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by Rayne_in_Spokes

I feel there's a little more sway than I like if it's loaded up.

At that point, throw on some lowriders and panniers. Or get the Nitto Campee or Pass & Stow.

[PJN]

Pass n stow

[p nut]

The most solid rack I’ve used is a Surly 8-pack. I used it with a Wald 139 and it was Solid. You just need a crown and midfork mount.

[Rayne_in_Spokes]

Originally Posted by p nut

The most solid rack I’ve used is a Surly 8-pack. I used it with a Wald 139 and it was Solid. You just need a crown and midfork mount.

The 8 pack looks great, but i should have mentioned I don't have crown mounts. Which I guess limits just how strong/stiff a rack I can get without mounting at axle eyelets (which i don't really want to do, i don't carry loaded often enough to justify that)

[dolface]

Originally Posted by PJN

Pass n stow

Seconding this, fantastic racks and Matt is a wonderful guy!

[p nut]

Originally Posted by Rayne_in_Spokes

The 8 pack looks great, but i should have mentioned I don't have crown mounts. Which I guess limits just how strong/stiff a rack I can get without mounting at axle eyelets (which i don't really want to do, i don't carry loaded often enough to justify that)

Which is exactly why I moved away from baskets. Very handy but too much weight, and I don’t load it often enough. So now I’m using a Zeigeist bag which has been excellent.

[mstateglfr]

For full front rack- the jandd extreme is really solid and easy to set up. The top platform is wide enough to easily secure a 139 basket, and you can throw panniers on the rack in 2 different heights.




For a flat platform porteur style that mounts mid-blade, I have a Gorix rack from Amazon and modified it.
I flattened the diving board so it is a simple L shape and mounts closer to the fender. I also bought some Soma stays and Daruma tightening hardware.
It is now a really minimal and solid flat platform that weighs less than half the weight of my jandd extreme rack. The design provides countless spots to ziptie or voile strap a basket.
***edited- looks like the rack now has the option for solid stays or adjustable stays. I still like my replacement stays and Daruma hardware setup more than the adjustable option.

[christian]

Pass n Stow.

[TheseGoTo11]

I've been using a Rawland Rando rack (aluminum version) with a Wald 137 half basket for several years. I don't load it up often, but when I have it's been surprisingly stable.

[bikerambler]

Originally Posted by Rayne_in_Spokes

I'm seeking a rack and basket for my G-Road! What do y'all like? I've used a Mark's Rack and Wald before with my Swift basketbag and it works well enough, but I feel there's a little more sway than I like if it's loaded up.

This has worked great for light day-tripping and cc touring. Handles great.cw basket.jpg
Tubus Tara low-rider below for touring. Bike handled fine on the rough gravel of Kelly Stand Road with this set up.
cw & tubus.jpg

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

I've been using a Rawland Rando rack (aluminum version) with a Wald 137 half basket for several years. I don't load it up often, but when I have it's been surprisingly stable.

Same.

[Rayne_in_Spokes]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

I've been using a Rawland Rando rack (aluminum version) with a Wald 137 half basket for several years. I don't load it up often, but when I have it's been surprisingly stable.

The Rawland Rando seems like a great choice, though the only one available now is a $300 ti version :/ Do you think there's any way to mount it closer to the fender?

[Rayne_in_Spokes]

I am starting to lean towards a demi-porteur style. Max platform for the basket, a decent weight limit, allows the legs to flex, crown and mid fork mounts only, and doesn't make it look like a full on touring bike. It seems the options are the Soma, a Rawland if I can find it, the Amazon Gorix. Am I missing anything, and does anyone have favs?