Spork for low-riders?
11-09-22, 04:44 PM
#1
ignominious poltroon
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Spork for low-riders?
Rodeo Labs Spork appears to be the only carbon fork that enables mounting of low-riders for front panniers.
My touring bike has a steel fork with low rider mounts, which I am sure is the option most people use. However, there are times I would like to put front panniers on my other ride, which currently has an Envy CX carbon fork (with no viable attachment points). Most carbon forks that have attachment points seem to want you to limit what you cary to a water bottle mount or a packet of chewing gum, which makes the Spork (currently 3.0) an attractive option iff it can really handle the weight.
Any positive or negative experiences?
My touring bike has a steel fork with low rider mounts, which I am sure is the option most people use. However, there are times I would like to put front panniers on my other ride, which currently has an Envy CX carbon fork (with no viable attachment points). Most carbon forks that have attachment points seem to want you to limit what you cary to a water bottle mount or a packet of chewing gum, which makes the Spork (currently 3.0) an attractive option iff it can really handle the weight.
Any positive or negative experiences?
11-09-22, 06:06 PM
#2
Partially Sane.
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Pork, pork, where's my Spork, err spork? 🤔 As if the world's not complicated enough already. 🤨🙄
It looks like you win the right to test it, and report back here. 😁
It looks like you win the right to test it, and report back here. 😁
11-09-22, 07:18 PM
#3
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Perhaps I should be asking in Mechanics, but is there a reason to not epoxy a hard point to a carbon frame? Besides aesthetics?
11-09-22, 09:36 PM
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ignominious poltroon
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I think if you want to mount low-riders as shown in the picture, you need to put a bolt through the fork, so it would require a drill, not just a dab of glue.
11-09-22, 09:38 PM
#5
Firm but gentle
Elkhorn Bicycle Rack - Slender, Stout, and Stable | Old Man Mountain
Maybe not what you're after, but I like mine, versatile across many bike axle types. Note the weight limits. I have read that hoop-less front racks are... hopeless.
Maybe not what you're after, but I like mine, versatile across many bike axle types. Note the weight limits. I have read that hoop-less front racks are... hopeless.
11-10-22, 06:13 AM
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A friend of mine built up a titanium touring bike with a carbon fork eight years ago. He has used a Tubus Tara on it for panniers with no problems. I think his fork is a Bontrager, but that was eight years ago and I am sure models have changed. That was the first carbon fork that i had seen that had low rider rack mounts built in.
In your photo it looks like your rack is mounted so that it hangs on the outside of the rack without any bracing to the inside of the fork blades. I think such racks should be attached to both sides of the fork blade, if possible. For example, the Tubus Duo is attached to both inside and outside of the fork blade. Or, use a hoop like on the Tara if such bracing is impractical.
I used an Axiom rack on my heavy touring bike, it was not reinforced with any bracing to the inside of the fork so I made some extra bracing myself. Photos below:
In your photo it looks like your rack is mounted so that it hangs on the outside of the rack without any bracing to the inside of the fork blades. I think such racks should be attached to both sides of the fork blade, if possible. For example, the Tubus Duo is attached to both inside and outside of the fork blade. Or, use a hoop like on the Tara if such bracing is impractical.
I used an Axiom rack on my heavy touring bike, it was not reinforced with any bracing to the inside of the fork so I made some extra bracing myself. Photos below:
11-10-22, 07:55 AM
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Last edited by tcs; 11-10-22 at 08:02 AM.
11-10-22, 09:42 AM
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My 2006 Specialized has a carbon fork with low rider mounts. I've had a rack on it from day one with no problems.
Last edited by mtnbud; 11-10-22 at 09:48 AM.
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11-10-22, 09:43 AM
#9
ignominious poltroon
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But many thanks for your valuable contribution and accompanying irrelevant graphic.
I really appreciate your deep insight.
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11-10-22, 10:14 AM
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ignominious poltroon
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I very much appreciate your response, and photos. (Seeing is believing.)
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11-10-22, 10:38 AM
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BTW - I have some spacers between the fork mounts and the rack to keep the rack completely clear off the forks.
Last edited by mtnbud; 11-10-22 at 10:58 AM.
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11-10-22, 05:02 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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The Spork is awesome but here are some other options as well depending on straight or tapered steerer:
https://tout-terrain.de/en/the-produ...adventure-fork
https://tout-terrain.de/en/the-produ...q-touring-fork
https://tout-terrain.de/en/the-produ...adventure-fork
https://tout-terrain.de/en/the-produ...q-touring-fork
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