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Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 11 Jul 2019, 4:35pm
by Salade_Lyonnaise
Hello all,

I'm planning to mount a brake-boss mounted front rack. Are these okay for the bosses, and is there anything I should be aware of? Or aren't these a good idea....?

I'm getting brake-bosses brazed and the forks re-coated, so it would be most unfortunate if the bosses broke under the strain afterwards!

It's 3 point: bosses, and single fork crown mount (adjustable slider bar)


All advice most appreciated :)

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 11 Jul 2019, 5:43pm
by scottg
Whilst getting the brake bosses on, why not get mid fork mounts
for mud guards and carriers. If it is an old shop, ask for a lamp boss too.

These days a touring fork resembles a medieval battle implement.

surly-troll-fork-maroon-FK0010-1000x1000.jpg

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 11 Jul 2019, 5:50pm
by Brucey
brake bosses are only 0.5mm wall thickness above the thread peaks; they sometimes break anyway, so if you use a boss-mounted rack, light loads only please.

cheers

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 11 Jul 2019, 8:43pm
by tatanab
This sort of thing? Only meant to support a handlebar bag or similar. I use one but the bar bag contains paperwork and snacks, hence little weight.
velo-orange-pass-hunter-rack_1024x1024.jpg

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 11 Jul 2019, 11:25pm
by mjr
I posted about mine in viewtopic.php?f=1&t=115886

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 12 Jul 2019, 9:30am
by Salade_Lyonnaise
Thanks all — I just impulse bought one for a good price (oh eBay!) — looks like carrier mounts are a better option for me though. Cheers

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 12 Jul 2019, 10:05am
by Brucey
not all light steel forks are good with mid-fork carrier braze-ons added to them.

cheers

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 12 Jul 2019, 1:44pm
by Salade_Lyonnaise
Thanks Brucey - I'm looking out for some sturdier forks.

Re: Brake Boss mounted front carrier racks

Posted: 12 Jul 2019, 3:45pm
by Brucey
your forks are fine for their intended use. Putting stiffer forks in that frameset would basically spoil it; the rest of the frame is built like the forks are...

Its currently expected that you will carry your front panniers on low rider type mounts; there are lots of other ways of carrying a front load which were in use for decades before low riders were invented, and believe it or not they work OK too and don't overload the fork.

Image

Both Blackburn and Vetta made front racks to this pattern and one of those will go well on your fork. They are not difficult to find, used.

You could spend a fortune on brazing work, new forks and goodness knows what else and you might still not like the end result. My advice is to put racks that fit onto the bike and to try carrying the loads you expect to carry. You will soon learn whether you are on the right track or not. If you think the bike rides and handles well with the intended load then think about making it a better arrangement, with better wheels, brakes etc.

FWIW if I wanted better wheels/brakes I would probably fit wheels with SA hub brakes to that frame and otherwise leave the frame alone.

cheers