I'm thinking relatively long trips and relatively remote places.
The first option is a Surly (or similar) with a small grill, the remaining two are the two well-known Tubus models and the ? It's anyone else. Have you had any experience with any of them?
Thank you!
by Fancy_Step_1700
18 Comments
That surly rack is heavy as FUCK, but it’s the only one pictured that can carry stuff on top.
2 or 3.
3 is more rigid and compatible with more frame types.
i like minimal side/cage. out of the options, 2,
but this is what i use and its great:
[https://axiomgear.com/products/racks/low-rider-racks/journey-dlx-lowrider/](https://axiomgear.com/products/racks/low-rider-racks/journey-dlx-lowrider/)
I don’t use the mounting bracket and just zap strap it to my taped up carbon fork lol – its more stable and has zero movement.
bikepacking style fork cages with dry bags and straps are cool too.
the main thing is that the weight is low.
my bike was a super light and twitchy old race bike but fully loaded with weight low it was perfectly stable and rolled like a freight train.
3 Tubus Tara….. but I’ve cheated because I’ve used the [same one for over 26years – same age as my Ortlieb front panniers ](https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/s/aR9bMt8XHX). They are perfect for their job and probably indestructible.
I have 3.
Most rigid,
low hanging bags
Latest model Tinus made has an eye for attaching a lamp on it
2 is optimal for 10-12L bags and is easy to pack for flying. This kind only makes sense when you have braze-ons on the inner side of your fork legs.
We own 2 and 3 and have for 15+ years. Both work well but they were for different bikes. If I had to pick on, I’d keep 3.
1 is heavy but if you want to carry gear on top then it’s your choice.
1 because I’m a shelf/rack guy over panniers…but I still want to use panniers when needed usually micros up front. So more of the time I’d run a dry bag on the shelf and panniers when needed.
Also, I’d opt got the specialized pizza rack. I think it’s the best option (for my stated needs) and it will run panniers just fine.
I have 2. It feels less secure than 3. With just two screws, it’s a lot of load. During a long tour, one of my braze-ons broke after a lot of vibrations. So I’d go 1 or 3.
I’d go for 1.
I usually keep my tent on the top, and the panniers on the side. I love the flexibility of having space, and not worrying about the nitty gritty.
A few grams don’t bother me.
I adore this rack
https://www.trekbikes.com/de/de_DE/equipment/fahrradzubeh%C3%B6r/fahrradgep%C3%A4cktr%C3%A4ger/bontrager-carry-forward-frontgep%C3%A4cktr%C3%A4ger/p/547612/
Picture 1 is the Surly rack. I owned this and would never have it again purely due to the weight
Number 3 is my top choice and recommendation. I’ve had the other 2 through the years to try them out and they have their trade-offs.
1. Surly rack, weighs 3.5lbs empty. Strong, nicely adjustable, but just way too much rack for carrying a few pounds of front panniers. It does give a front platform if you wan to add a basket or roll on top of it all. Probably will never get one again.
2. All the weight and torsion is put on the bottom eyelets and mid-fork eyelets so any falls put all the bearing onto the rack arms. I’ve seen a couple roll into a bike shop where a simple bike fall-over put it into the spokes. I’ll never use.
3. Been using a couple of iterations of #3 (Tubus) for 15 years on different bikes. Any torsion or bearing of falls is spread across that loop over the front tire. It’s REALLY strong for it’s very light weight. Maybe 1 pound? My wife has had one on her bike for 14 years and I’ve been trying one on different bikes since then. So far, for just adding front panniers it is my absolute favorite. When not in use it stores much easier than the Surly rack.
I have #3 – taken it on long touring through Europe as well as gravel bikepacking in the US PNW. Has worked great with no complaints.
All of them are solid racks rack . The Duo is the lightest but requires eyelets on the outside and the inside of your fork. If you don’t have eyelets on the inside, this rack is not an option. I have this rack and it’s fine and bombproof, both on and offroad.
Without inner eyelets, you’re looking at a cross-braced front fork (1 and 3). Rack 1 is heavier than 3 but has a top rack which makes it more versatile in how you use it. It might require extra eyelets though, so make sure the rack you choose matches your frame and fork. In addition, using the top rack might interfere with your headlight position so you might have to move your headlight towards the front of the rack.
I am a basket guy so it would have to be 1. I tend to just run a basket and rear panniers right now anyway but I would run fronts on my OMM Divide.
Take a look at the OMM Impala for an option to #1.
tubus tara, it’s the best looking and offers the most stable handling. Also bombproof.
I’ve been riding the Jandd Extreme for years but it doesn’t fit my new bike. I found the Trek Touring Front Rack fits my bike okay. I can’t live without the top plate, and the Surly rack is WAY too heavy.
I put n. 3 through a lot of stress and it’s still going strong after 10-ish years! I thing it’s a really solid design