Trying to figure out my options on the new bike for camping/touring for carrying things up front and it seems like there's lots of good options on the Straggler, however, I honestly am getting lost down the rabbit hole.
Anybody have recommendations/strong opinions on front set ups? Looking specifically at the Salsa Anything HD cage and the Nitto Marks rack.
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jimmythefly
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:01 pm
Joined: 10 Jan 2007Posts: 1491
What are you hoping to carry? Will you have rear panniers and so this is just for a bit of extra capacity?
If your budget can handle it, get a rack from CycleFab LLC (Haulin Colin). They are seriously worth it.
Anything HD cage: I would avoid these in your case. Straggler doesn't have triple bosses, and the Anything HD is heavy for what it is and limits you to cylindrical objects only.
There are quite a few options for either small platform (like the Mark's rack/ M-18) or for a larger platform (Soma Porteur).
You can also run lowriders for front panniers, and often use them at the same time as one of the above platform racks.
jimmythefly
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:07 pm
Joined: 10 Jan 2007Posts: 1491
For the money ($40), I really like the Blackburn MTF-1.
I like that it is one-piece construction and has 4 attachment points. I believe it is plenty tall to fit over the larger tires/fenders on a Straggler but should double check.
It really could use a simple flat metal strap part from the platform to the fork crown (like many other racks use). That would be simple to make and really keep the upper platform rock-solid.
This would be a great rack to mount a basket on to. You can also carry small front panniers on it. They would sit higher than lowriders, which is not as good for stability but is very good for clearance on singletrack.
The rack is aluminum which in theory has a shorter life than steel, but there are a bunch of these out there going strong. Not really an issue.
donavanm
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:03 pm
Joined: 14 Jun 2012Posts: 1342
As jimmy says, what do you want to do. Its probably down to panniers. If youre using them get low riders. If you need a little bag support something like the marks rack or a soma or vo knock off is fine. If you want to hodor all the things get a colin rack. Also be aware that front racks with platform will make busing a hassle to impossible.
Andrew_Squirrel
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 4:05 pm
Joined: 01 Mar 2010Posts: 2098Location: Greenwood
Yeah, front racks are a hassle for bike/bussing. I specifically converted one bike to a rear loader because the bike almost fell off the bus rack traveling down I5. The bus driver was horrified.
I discovered this little trick with the Haulin Colin rack on my Elephant. I just keep a bungee here under my Swift bag, ready to hook on the yellow rack arm that usually sits on top of the tire. It keeps the rack arm nice and tight against the rack.
Bungee to keep Seattle Metro Bus Bike Rack Arm from slipping down. by Andrew Squirrel, on Flickr
Joined: 23 Sep 2008Posts: 740Location: North Beach
Sometimes with my Jandd front rack in front of a bus (PS: one that could carry panniers), I'd hook the middle horizontal member, not hooking over the top of the rack because it wouldn't fit, and the driver wouldn't care. I do however remember 2 times the driver said no way, adding 30 miles each to those trips. I still never tested how stable that was, trying to pull the bike up when hooked like that.
Last edited by limpyweta on Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:21 am; edited 1 time in total _________________ Alec
joeball
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:13 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
IMO, 4 panniers is more than enough for weekend bike camping and weekday commuting.
Anything cages are interesting, I did own one, but it didn't end up being versatile enough or quick enough to use for my liking.
My 2 cents for a 99% straggler would be a rear rack for panniers and a small platform rack. (Nitto m12 preferred, Velo Orange knockoff second, Nitto marks rack 3rd)
You can run a bag on that or basket. A basket has become my top choice over the last 5 years or so.
Bike will still be bus comparable. Panniers are easy to mount in the rear and work well with high trail geometry. High clearance for trails too.
Windsphere
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:23 am
nowhere near as perfect as Bo TtorffJoined: 28 Jul 2013Posts: 226Location: Seattle
donavanm wrote:
As jimmy says, what do you want to do. Its probably down to panniers. If youre using them get low riders. If you need a little bag support something like the marks rack or a soma or vo knock off is fine. If you want to hodor all the things get a colin rack. Also be aware that front racks with platform will make busing a hassle to impossible.
Fuck, I did not know this or have tried to put my bike on a bus yet. Well, one late night when the bus never came so I plowed on home. I will be pursuing a front bike rack alteration soon. Thanks for the heads up, it would have been shitty trying to use a bus rack that does not work.
jimmythefly
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:28 pm
Joined: 10 Jan 2007Posts: 1491
My bikes with front racks go on the bus fine. As Andrew pointed out -it's nice to have a bungee or bungee net to hook on to the bus arm hook to make sure it stays up on your ture if there's any doubt.
The arm of the rack should at least pass directly over or behind your front axle.
Alex
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 5:23 am
Joined: 18 May 2006Posts: 3128Location: Roosevelt
jimmythefly wrote:
My bikes with front racks go on the bus fine. As Andrew pointed out -it's nice to have a bungee or bungee net to hook on to the bus arm hook to make sure it stays up on your ture if there's any doubt.
The arm of the rack should at least pass directly over or behind your front axle.
Plus a little margin of safety.
I carry front rack equipped bikes on the bus multiple days per week. I've had one driver double check with me that I had done it before. I've had no other problems.
I do design my front racks with a bit more space than normal between the rack deck and tire to allow the bus hook to go as close to the fork crown as possible. I also have my rack stays go to the mid-fork instead of the bottom of the fork to reduce bus hook interference.
Andrew's bungie is a good idea.
Marley
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:34 am
Joined: 08 Sep 2014Posts: 428
I've got a back rack for panniers so the front would be mainly for quick access stuff. I like the idea of a small platform rack with a basket (similar to Zach's setup I think). Thanks for all the advice- gives me a solid starting point. For this summer the plan is weekend trips, but I'd eventually like to go on longer tours and might eventually look into additional options for that.
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Andrew_Squirrel
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:41 am
Joined: 01 Mar 2010Posts: 2098Location: Greenwood
If don't want to deal with a front rack but still want easy access to a handful of small, lightweight items I would highly suggest checking out either the Jandd Frame Bag or Swift Paloma handlebar bag. They compliment rear loads well, play well with the bus rack, are easy to remove, can be put on different bikes and no need to go down the rabbit hole of front rack and decaleur nerdery.
laurenV
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:28 pm
Joined: 08 Sep 2014Posts: 94Location: maple leaf
Andrew_Squirrel wrote:
If don't want to deal with a front rack but still want easy access to a handful of small, lightweight items I would highly suggest checking out either the Jandd Frame Bag or Swift Paloma handlebar bag. They compliment rear loads well, play well with the bus rack, are easy to remove, can be put on different bikes and no need to go down the rabbit hole of front rack and decaleur nerdery.
I'm so glad you posted this! I've never looked into frame bags. I guess I had it in my head that they would be more pricey - panniers and handlebar bags and general carrying-stuff-on-bikes stuff can be really expensive. But this frame bag is only $40. And it comes in purple!
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langston
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:47 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
laurenV wrote:
I'm so glad you posted this! I've never looked into frame bags. I guess I had it in my head that they would be more pricey - panniers and handlebar bags and general carrying-stuff-on-bikes stuff can be really expensive. But this frame bag is only $40. And it comes in purple!
I borrowed Andrew's frame bag for my trip to Leavenworth and it completely sold me, so much that I have my own being delivered. I was able to fit my entire repair kit on one side and snacks/tech/ganja supplies in the other. Bonus that it didn't get in the way of large waterbottles or effect the ride whatsoever. ++ would recommend.
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Marley
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:07 pm
Joined: 08 Sep 2014Posts: 428
Andrew_Squirrel wrote:
If don't want to deal with a front rack but still want easy access to a handful of small, lightweight items I would highly suggest checking out either the Jandd Frame Bag or Swift Paloma handlebar bag. They compliment rear loads well, play well with the bus rack, are easy to remove, can be put on different bikes and no need to go down the rabbit hole of front rack and decaleur nerdery.
I love the idea of the Jandd frame bag. Don't know if I have enough space on my clownishly small bike for it. Anybody have one they can bring out on a ride I can try out to see if it fits? (Yes, I've looked at the dimensions vs. geometry specs, but it makes no sense to me.)
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derrickito
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:14 pm
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black, doesn't look terrible (always on my bike, will be out on thursday). carries all my emergency gear (pump, tubes, patches, tools, etc) and easily transfers to another bike. you may lose a water bottle space, but ive solved that with a double water bottle stem holder from freightbaggage.
Andrew_Squirrel
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:21 pm
Joined: 01 Mar 2010Posts: 2098Location: Greenwood
Yeah, I can bring it on the ride Thursday assuming I can rush home and feed/poop the dog before the ride starts.
The Jandd bag fits on Elyse's tiny Long Haul Trucker but really impedes access to the Down-tube water bottle. Depending on the location of your water bottles it might be the same scenario.
If you still have full access to the Seat-tube water bottle while riding its not such a big deal since you're probably going to stop at some point between consuming first water bottle and needing the second.
I've gotten into the habit of swapping water bottles at stops so I always have a full one in the Seat-tube cage.
J_Dada
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:33 pm
Down 2 FUNKJoined: 14 Oct 2012Posts: 1274
I have a Revelate Designs frame bag that I bring on longer rides (I prefer a backpack for daily/urban use). Doesn't impede access to either of my water bottles but considerably more expensive than the other options listed here.
these work great on bikes without rack braze-ons, although you'll need to make sure to have enough exposed seatpost (sorry shorties) and set them up so that the cables don't rub too much on the bags.
the seat bag is large enough to hold my sleeping bag, bivy sack, bag liner, rain jacket, camp towel, as well as being able to strap my first-aid kit, camera, and camp mug to the outside.
the handlebar roll holds food, toiletries, camp stove+fuel, cook kit, knife, and a change of socks and underwear.
between these two bags and the Jandd bag for a patch kit, pump, headlamp, etc. it's basically all I need for any summer S24O or two nights on Ben Country.
Old Man Mountain makes some pretty rad aluminum racks for bikes with or without braze-ons. I've got a older front rack from them that I'll mount up if I need to carry more than a weekend's worth of supplies.
Andrew_Squirrel wrote:
The Jandd bag fits on Elyse's tiny Long Haul Trucker but really impedes access to the Down-tube water bottle.
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blasdelf
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 4:23 pm
BAD NAVIGATORJoined: 01 Mar 2010Posts: 1505
Marley wrote:
I love the idea of the Jandd frame bag. Don't know if I have enough space on my clownishly small bike for it. Anybody have one they can bring out on a ride I can try out to see if it fits? (Yes, I've looked at the dimensions vs. geometry specs, but it makes no sense to me.)
Revelate Tangles used to be overpriced but they've added a lot of subtle features and high quality manufacturing over the years, the 2015 bags are totally worth the $90 and come in colors now
you can get side-loading bottle cages that'll help with the squeeze on tinybieks
MurpleMan
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 9:50 am
BOOGER TOMJoined: 17 Jan 2013Posts: 594Location: Beacon Hill
blasdelf wrote:
Marley wrote:
I love the idea of the Jandd frame bag. Don't know if I have enough space on my clownishly small bike for it. Anybody have one they can bring out on a ride I can try out to see if it fits? (Yes, I've looked at the dimensions vs. geometry specs, but it makes no sense to me.)
Don't know how I missed this thread until now but I finally got around to ordering my own bag which came in last week (went with the above-mentioned jandd in purple:)
So I am ready to return or pass on Fred's framebag. I can confirm that the bag works even on smaller frames. I actually found running it 'backwards' worked out better on my frame as it still afforded access to both bottle cages.
Really nice bags, you can fit a lot in there, easy access on the fly, and it is an ideal place to carry weight as it has almost zero effect on handling.
Thank you Fred for letting me borrow the bag, I got a lot of use out of it!
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