st.pansy

hello!

I have a European tour planned for a month from now and i've been breaking the bank collecting all of the gear I need (including front and rear ortlieb panniers). The idea of spending more than $100 (after shipping) on the BF front rack seems devastating to my already tight budget- the panniers were my splurge! I've been scouring the web, including the Yak for alternatives to the BF front rack to no avail, as mostly people are looking for rear racks and forking over the $$$ for the BF front. Unfortunately, since my local bike shops don't carry front racks at all I am confined to online shopping but I don't want to buy something that doesn't fit! I will be carrying two front panniers, a total of no more than 20 lbs. Any suggestions or advice is GREATLY appreciated!

thanks

fietsbob

Buck Up, Is a very good rack, Hand Made in USA, rather than China,
so wages and overhead paid,
are needing to be higher ..

you work for a dollar a day?

I have one.. for my P Llama

may be a reduced cost, shipped unpainted..?

they sent a 2nd crossbar, unpainted for $2,
I have plans to fix a Dynamo powered headlight on it ,
with some brazing done locally..

the crossbar in the front comes apart, to pack it , in the case.

Any others are going to take up room.. not made to Pack flat.

You could build your own rack. buy materials, and tools and compare costs..

You could have stuffed everything in a bike Trailer.. and not needed panniers.

More Top Ramen ..

st.pansy

yes thanks. I currently own TWO US built bike fridays: one BTO tikit ($2300) and one Pocket Ex. ($1100) as well as a tikit front rack ($120) and a tikit folding rear rack ($200) so forgive me if I say that my American made goods are the reason I need an inexpensive alternative in this instance. I crossed the trailer vs. panniers bridge some time ago and I have my reasons for opting for the latter. I have read several threads on alternatives to EXPENSIVE BF accessories and cannot imagine which bit of my post may have rubbed you the wrong way. I am asking for some friendly suggestions, not ethical advice.

fietsbob

I a Lane Kagy who makes Cetma racks about a Porteur rack to mount on the fork , rather
than the pannier rack, to haul stuff on it rather than in panniers , It is another option,

He is a 1 man shop in Eugene , and may be contracted to make a custom one,
so cross town, from each other, coordinated
to get the bolts and holes to work together.

I think Vic has something in the works with him to build a way to use the Brompton/Ortlieb front bag , on his Friday.
Brompton fits to a headtube clip, rather than the fork, so rack needs to be holding that mount.

You may have a frame builder in your region to make something clever, to work for you, too.

At least save on shipping ..

seen cheap blackburn copy low-riders used,
bag gets really low when a wheel is smaller than 26"

vik 

You should be able to make quite a few front racks fit a BF. But if you can't get your hands on any of them to trial fit in the shop there is some risk involved.

I think I could fit this rack on the front of my NWT:

https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302693083

Ultimately I would consider that Europe is expensive and $100 +/- is going to be two meals and a few snacks. If you end up spending $30-$40 on a rack you aren't sure about and have a problem in Europe with it you might wish you'd spent the extra $ and bought the purpose built BF unit.

Having said that I know budgets are finite so if that's not possible a rack like I linked to above will work - probably.

fietsbob

FWIW, M Steel/Joe Waugh bike/frame shop in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the north of England,
made a top of the wheel small rack for me while passing thru there , 20 years ago.

was a 48 hour turn around, one off, so I could shift my Camera bag off the back load..

worked really well , I still have it..

so there are bound to be handy people where you live .. to make something suitable.

cmcanulty

This holds 15lbs and is cheap I used on touring with my Downtube folder had 2 front panniers with a sleeping bag on top and a dog basket resting on bag. Worked great