Racked!

Racked!
Originally uploaded by jimgskoop

Save for painting, the rack is done. Just installed a new dyno-hub front wheel and relocated the LED headlamp to the new rack mounting point. Click the photo to see lots more.

Rack Fabrication -- At Last!

Soaking
Originally uploaded by jimgskoop

Today I started building a custom porteur rack. Got the deck brazed, not bad for a day's work. Click through for the full set of photos.

Tubing Ordered and Other News

OK, I just ordered 24 feet of 5/16 x 0.035" tubing from Wicks. Asked for it in 4-foot sections. No idea what the shipping (via UPS Ground) will be...keeping fingers crossed. Wicks doesn't carry the steel strip which I'll need to make rack tabs, so I hope I can find something locally that'll work.

I actually need a front rack now, as opposed to just wanting one. I've just accepted a new job which will require me to bike+train commute daily, so I need the rack to haul my junk+laptop.

I've already installed flat bars and a Kogswell low-trail conversion fork on my Nishiki. 72 degree head angle + 64mm offset and 700x30 tires should yield about 45mm of trail and 13mm of flop. It definitely feels low-trail-ish.



I've got a couple of weeks before I start the new job. Hopefully I can build a usable rack in that timespan...? Else I'll hang my head in shame and just buy a V-O rack, I guess. I also need to finally get the guys at Box Dog to set me up with a dependable wheelset, too.