Front pannier rack

[steveindenmark]

I have a Trek lexa SL which I would like to use for light touring. Maximum of 15kg.

The bike is fitted with a rear rack and panniers but i would like to fit a front rack and panniers to carry my sleeping bag and sleeping mat. There would be very little weight in the front panniers.

The front forks are carbon and have no pannier rack brackets.

Is there a rack I can buy that will fit the front forks that will carry panniers?

Steve

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Probably. not the best answer I know, but my old mtb would not take a rack on the rear let alone the front and I toured DK with it... the brand to look for would be Old Man Mountain with a QR skewer version. You would probably need to get P clip mounts and shape the clips manually or use the brake bosses - i think the sherpa front rack can do either. I only know of a couple of suppliers in the UK but that is of little use to you in DK so it is probably more a case of here's an idea to see if you can work on it.... sorry can't be more help (not feeling great today - up all night with my asthma, so much for today's bike ride.)

this picture in their photo gallery should give you some ideas. (can't link to it directly due to various restrictions).

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

spotted this in the for sale forum now... http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/tubus-cargo-tara-omm-front-rack.120793/ old man mountain front rack - looks like the sherpa to me which would work with your bike.

2nd photo down.

 

[Ticktockmy]

I have used OMM racks for some years now, and cannot fault them. the US site is http://www.oldmanmountain.com, UK dealer is http://www.carradice.co.uk/categories/omm

 

[Aushiker]

I would take a look at a Freeload if you can find someone selling them. Freeload sold the design to Thule who seem to be doing little with the product

Andrew

 

[robgul]

.... carbon forks don't have pannier fittings for a reason .... don't even think about going there - the way they are designed for stresses etc are different (most carbon forks I have seen have a warning/disclaimer label on them saying they are not for over-zealous use)

[Doubtless someone will be along with a tale of touring for a million miles with carbon forks/panniers and transporting an elephant . . . . ]

Rob

 

[doog]

.... carbon forks don't have pannier fittings for a reason .... don't even think about going there - the way they are designed for stresses etc are different (most carbon forks I have seen have a warning/disclaimer label on them saying they are not for over-zealous use)

[Doubtless someone will be along with a tale of touring for a million miles with carbon forks/panniers and transporting an elephant . . . . ]

Rob

Yep - here we go

A Specialized Tricross has fittings on its carbon forks for front pannier racks and these are quite popular for touring both here and in the US. I haven't had issues with using front panniers and as the OP is on about light touring he shouldn't have a problem. I keep cooking kit in one front pannier and mat/ sleeping bag in the other-so light.. I've been expecting something to go wrong for a few years now but nothing yet.

( I dont think its ideal mind- but as im making do until I get a steel framed tourer it will have to)

 

[PhilFlyer]

I have a Trek lexa SL which I would like to use for light touring. Maximum of 15kg.

The bike is fitted with a rear rack and panniers but i would like to fit a front rack and panniers to carry my sleeping bag and sleeping mat. There would be very little weight in the front panniers.

The front forks are carbon and have no pannier rack brackets.

Is there a rack I can buy that will fit the front forks that will carry panniers?

Steve

Don't groan!
Steve, I've been touring for 10 years on a Giant SCR2 with carbon forks. As you know bikes with panniers become unstable (particularly front) at very low speed. I've always used a rucksack instead. There are several benefits - security when you get off your luggage goes with you without hassle, - I fell off in France avoiding a broken curb and landed on my rucksack which saved me from severe physical injury- 50L is plenty for a week although I have to play Desert Island Discs with my wife (which 8 ....) - who also has a 30L rucksack. I've never suffered any instability. Unusual but I won't go to panniers now.

 

[Jimminycricket]

Maybe you should think about getting a handlebar system the wildcat system is good. http://wildcatgear.co.uk/products/handlebar-harness/

 

[Yellow7]

. As you know bikes with panniers become unstable (particularly front) at very low speed.

? I rode on a year's tour with well loaded front [and rear] panniers & never felt unstable. Moving the load to a rucksack increases ones centre-of-gravity, and therefore increase the apparent instability, knobbly tyres can induce oscillations but using a front rack (load) will help dampen this.

It’s Interesting reading others preferences, but when I dismount the bike I wouldn’t want to be followed by my luggage, I guess it all depends on the tour duration and what style, credit card / hotel or full on camping.

Mark.

 

[jjb]

That wildcat thing looks good. If it's just a sleeping bag and a mat, look at the various stuff sack options. Alpkit do them in all the sizes, with loop things to allow attaching to handlebars. I wouldn't put too much weight in the anecdotes about the Tricross, unless your own bike has a tricross fork. The trek page says the lexa is a light, fast women's road bike. Touring on it might be even more enjoyable if the 15kg could thin down to under 10kg. £30 buys a steel fork of course.

 

[Gravity Aided]

? I rode on a year's tour with well loaded front [and rear] panniers & never felt unstable. Moving the load to a rucksack increases ones centre-of-gravity, and therefore increase the apparent instability, knobbly tyres can induce oscillations but using a front rack (load) will help dampen this.

It’s Interesting reading others preferences, but when I dismount the bike I wouldn’t want to be followed by my luggage, I guess it all depends on the tour duration and what style, credit card / hotel or full on camping.

Mark.

My experience as well. Load seems to improve stability for me.