Wednesday, December 7, 2016

well whaddya know, a new front rack

I've been looking for a front rack or basket for enhanced carrying capacity on my Marin Muirwoods.  Something not too cheap, not too expensive.  I thought about going the Wald Basket route, but just wasn't sure about the handlebar connections.  Seemed bulky.

Then a couple weeks ago I came across the new Blackburn Local Basket Front or Rear Rack.  I couldn't quite figure out online how big it was, but it has a carrying capacity of 45lbs.  "It's both height and width adjustable and disc-brake compatible to fit almost any road or mountain bike." So armed with the remainder of an Amazon gift card I received last Christmas (not a big Amazon shopper), I took a chance and ordered one.  Ended up paying about $30 for it, figured I couldn't go too wrong.

It arrived a few days ago, and it's bigger than I thought but a good size for hauling stuff. The bottom is 11 1/2" X 14 1/2", while the top spreads out to 13 X 16.  It's about 5 " tall.
still has the stickers on it! and look - a u-lock holder


It comes with 2 different sizes of P-clamps for attaching to rear seat stays, and 2 struts for attaching to the fork or seat stay:
hardware kit includes two eyelets that screw into the ends of
the struts, and swivel attachments for mounting on the rack

I was surprised it didn't come with a bracket for attaching to the fender/rack hole in the top of the fork.  You could probably work some bracket attachment up there. That left the only attachment points down at the fender mount/QR, and the braze-on on the fork which is pretty low on the Marin. The P-Clamps were too small for the fork, so I biked up to Home Depot to get a couple 1" P-Clamps.  Attached them higher up on the fork, and they fit perfectly.  I still have some fiddling with the mounts to do before I cut down the struts.  Due to the angle of the struts mounted to the fork, they point out a bit. It seems a little dangerous, kinda like a knight's lance.  Maybe I could put foam rubber balls on the ends, and use it to ward off dogs.

I haven't tried the rack with any weight on it yet.  The steering is so quick on the Marin, it'll be interesting to see how the bike handles with a load on the front.

I am 98% certain that the rack is secure on the bike, and it won't fall apart while bombing down Alberta  Street.