I had mentioned a while back that I was going to have a custom front rack made for the Big Dummy, and that's exactly what I went and did. We're fortunate to have a custom rack maker right here in Madison, so I was able to take the bike over and leave it with her for a couple of days so it could be fabricated and fitted. I have to say, I'm pretty darn pleased with how it turned out.
It's TIG-welded tubular and flat 304 stainless steel (which I think is the same as 18/8). It mounts at the dropout eyelets and top rack braze-ons, leaving the middle braze-ons free to mount fenders. It has a top rail and headlight mount with guard, which will accept either a bar- or post-mounted headlight (pictured below.) This rack will soon sport a wooden deck.
This adventure was more expensive than Surly's offering, but for around town I think it will be a little more practical. It was also a good opportunity to support a local builder.
As with any front rack or basket, it does change the steering a little when empty and a quite a little bit when loaded. But not in a bad way.
I'm hoping to get around to profiling the Rack Lady in the near future. Meanwhile, I've posted some more pictures in this Flickr set.
10 comments:
That is an awesome rack. Very well thought out and executed. Impressive.
Thank you. Wish I could take credit for the whole thing 8-)
apertome said it...awesome! Very classy rack.
I'll be in your neck of the woods this weekend. It's our annual trip to Springgreen, Wi. My parents drive over from Michigan and we meet them and attend a couple of performances at the American Players Theatre. This will be our 12th year in a row. We usually spend an afternoon in Madison while we're there.
I meant to type Spring Green, not Springgreen.
Thanks Doug!
APT is lots of fun. Just make sure you bring your bug repellent—the mosquitoes are terrible this year.
purty damn nice 'sconny. i just wish i had one of them there big dummies to mount it to. you'll have to add more pics when fully tricked.
just looked at flickr set. 2 six-pack load is IT. beats my 1 six-pack in Wald basket any day. again, thing of beauty
Heh, cheers, Tex!
Having a hard time getting contact info for the rack lady...anyone have it? Thanks!
She's no longer in the business of making bicycle racks.
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