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Comment by heather on September 11, 2011 at 17:18

Tim, I have small front racks that will take only the tiny front panniers found in Adelaide. Then Peter of the lbs at 70 Payneham Road looked at a Vaude catalogue where some reasonable size panniers will fit on my forks. Rather than a larger area / back-plate, they stick out more. Did not order the panniers. Yet to try packing and nervous about what I will have to leave behind.

Comment by Tim Loft on September 10, 2011 at 1:59

Heather have you been into Bmcr about front rack's ??? Could get a rack fitted to my fork but got talked out of it on that fork (Sid Race) More as the fork may not take it to well but If after my first trip or to if I need a front rack will just swap the fork out as need with another one

Comment by heather on July 2, 2011 at 18:29

Craig, I am flying interstate for cycling conferences and afterwards visiting friends. Thought I would do a 3-day unassisted cycle tour to visit friends, rather than use paid transport. A trailer would add to excess baggage charges and difficulty packing. Another option I like is the Xtrawheel (not Xtracycle) where the extra attached wheel can carry two large panniers.

Comment by craig steel on July 2, 2011 at 14:41

Ah Heather - that's one reason why some of us use trailers. Worth considering if you cannot find a shop that'll fit mounting points to your front forks. I've heard that Bernie Jones at Hove? will do such work. Good luck & remember "Bob's your trailer".

Cheers,

Craig S.

Comment by Peter Harrison on July 2, 2011 at 11:15

Heather, its been a long time since I bought a front rack, so not sure about the current state of supply. Have you tried lifecycle? Fitting a front rack can be a problem due to the variety of front fork configurations - suspension, disk breaks, break mount points etc. Frequently requires the fitting of adapters and clamps.

Just had a quick look at the web sites for some of the rack manafacturers - there is a wide range of information - from a picture (useless!) to quite detailed information.

Are you after a budget or upmaket rack? Suspension or rigid front fork.

Happy to show you my range if you are interested (rigid, suspension high and low riders.)

I find your dilemma interesting. Bike shops find it difficult to compete with the price and delivery from the internet. Their point of difference for the future should be advice and knowledge (for which they should, quite rightly, charge a premium). Surely a good bike shop should be able to look at your bike, recomend and fit a front rack (and return it to the supplier if it doesn't fit!) Peter

Comment by heather on July 2, 2011 at 0:14

Joined to ask a question about front racks. Elliots can not help with a front rack and neither can Bicycle Express. Told that front rack sizing and fitting is so dependent on the bike, that they do not stock front touring racks. If this is the case, then buying from the internet sight unseen could be hit and miss. Can anyone offer suggestions, or let me see their rack next to my bike?

Comment by denis brown on April 18, 2011 at 9:43

It should be said this tour will be follwing the Mawson Trail

Comment by Peter Harrison on April 6, 2011 at 16:51

Denis, there is an alternative to driving up. Genesis Tour and charter do run a bus service through Parachilna (& Wilpena by request). Sometimes twice a week and sometimes once a week. Not sure of the costs and requirements for bikes. It would be worth checking first - my experience is that several different bus companies have run buses through this area over the years on what seems to be an on again off again basis. Many years ago I caught the bus to Parachilna and road up Parachilna Gorge to ride down the Mawson Trail (before it was marked). A real country pub experience. The bus arrived at Parachilna at 11:00 PM to be met by the local publican. Slept in a dusty room that seemed like it hadn't been used for many years. Had to get them out of bed at 9:30 AM so I could leave. Obviously before teh hotel went upmarket.

Peter

Comment by denis brown on April 6, 2011 at 8:51

Michael, I need to have a talk to you what is going through my mind now is it may be better to start at Blinman and ride down, carrying our panniers. If we can get a driver to drop us of at Blinman. He?she might be able to get a few days riding in before heading off back to Adelaide, depending on their time constraits.