Actually I'll say since getting the Big Front Rack, I've been able to carry impressive front loads up high without a huge effect on handling. Before, I had a Mark's rack with the double strut mod, and it was pretty competent, but I would get the shimmy when getting out of the saddle to climb, etc. With this setup, it's much more confident, even with that load. Granted, I'm not going to ride hands-free for extended periods of time, but I'm perfectly happy with it.
I found a methods to help with the shimmy, even when I had a Mark's rack--first was to use Irish straps and pull the basket up and towards the handlebars--this helped a lot. A friend mentioned that a headset with roller bearings would be far less susceptible to the shimmy, but I haven't tested that out myself. The aforementioned "double strut mod": http://www.flickr.com/photos/99743766@N00/8506365178/ On Sat, Aug 3, 2013 at 9:33 AM, Patrick Moore <[email protected]> wrote: > That's a pretty impressive front load; 15 lbs? 20 lbs? Doesn't that amount > make the bike hard to handle in traffic, given Rivendell's signature > medium-to-high-trail geometry? > > > On Sat, Aug 3, 2013 at 10:26 AM, Christopher Chen <[email protected]>wrote: > >> The "medium" basket is quite useful, especially on a stable platform: >> >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumachrome/9411592963/in/photostream/ >> >> >> On Sat, Aug 3, 2013 at 9:11 AM, SMP <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi Tom, >>> >>> I now understand your rationale and concern. I cannot imagine how I >>> would give the crate 'break-away' functionality, so I am seriously >>> considering going with the Wald medium basket instead. Anyway, from my >>> experience, things sold on the Rivendell site just seem to work with >>> minimal fuss. I should continue to keep this in the back of my mind when >>> planning changes/upgrades. >>> >>> That picture was from the first time riding this bike -- I was too >>> afraid to lock it anywhere at that point, but if I take a bike inside to >>> help with shopping, I usually ride my Brompton. >>> >>> Thanks for your help. >>> >>> On Friday, August 2, 2013 11:49:54 PM UTC+2, Tom Virgil wrote: >>>> >>>> SMP >>>> >>>> My concern is me (or you) falling on a corner of the crate. I think a >>>> Wald would crumple a bit. I don't think think this is a huge concern, just >>>> a moderate concern. Perhaps if the crate could be attached to be stable >>>> for most circumstances but break away on a severe impact it would be OK. >>>> >>>> I like your picture. Gotta love a store that allows your bike inside >>>> to help shop. A nice reason to have a crate or a basket. >>>> >>>> Tom >>>> >>>> On Friday, August 2, 2013 9:29:21 AM UTC-7, SMP wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Tom--first, thanks for the compliments. My bike is blushing :). >>>>> Second, regarding your aversion to using a wooden crate due to crashing... >>>>> Do you mean the crash will be that much worse because pieces of wood >>>>> would >>>>> fly everywhere and jab me in a vital organ, but maybe a wald basket would >>>>> just bend out of shape, at worst? Hmm.. I think I may understand where >>>>> you >>>>> are coming from. >>>>> >>>>> I already had a handlebar-mounted Wald basket >>>>> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/sumehra/5593701927/in/set-72157626345789636>previously, >>>>> but I promptly removed it because it was just too big for my liking. I >>>>> would have to go for a smaller ("medium") sized basket this time with a >>>>> Mark's rack, because I prefer a lower position and would like to keep it >>>>> off the handlebar if at all possible. >>>>> >>>>> On Thursday, August 1, 2013 6:48:07 AM UTC+2, Tom Virgil wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> You ask if this is a terrible idea. Your bike is drop dead gorgeous. >>>>>> I also think the crates are wonderfully crafted. But I think the crates >>>>>> are substantial, wooden things with metal corners (perhaps, not the >>>>>> Autumn, >>>>>> but it is angular). They are quite elegant. I don't want to crash with >>>>>> one of those on my bike. I have my troubles and crashes are a matter of >>>>>> when, not if for me. I don't want such a rigid structure in that >>>>>> scenario. >>>>>> I do think that Wald baskets are great if your goal is carrying stuff. >>>>>> And, they are quite aerodynamic if nothing is in them. >>>>>> >>>>>> Hope this is helpful. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best Regards, >>>>>> >>>>>> Tom >>>>>> >>>>>> On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:45:26 PM UTC-7, SMP wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hello Bunch, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I am contemplating a few upgrades to my bike, and one of these is >>>>>>> the autumn <http://www.gothamcargo.com/about-autumn/> front >>>>>>> basket/crate by Gotham Cargo <http://gothamcargo.com>. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Here is a photo of my Riv >>>>>>> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/sumehra/6320659498/in/set-72157626345789636>(not >>>>>>> very recent). Now imagine silver Gilles Berthoud fenders and cream >>>>>>> tires >>>>>>> (this is already a part of the upgrade plan). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My first question is, given my color scheme, what color crate would >>>>>>> you recommend? Click here for color >>>>>>> options<http://www.gothamcargo.com/customize-it/>. >>>>>>> I am leaning towards Natural, Graphite, or Silver. If I do Natural, >>>>>>> though, I'd like to varnish it somehow to make it match the honey saddle >>>>>>> and amber shellacked cork grips. (Silly question - Can I use shellac on >>>>>>> wood or only varnish?) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My next question is, is there a way to mount this in an easy-on/easy >>>>>>> off method on either a big nitto front rack or the smaller mark's rack? >>>>>>> Maybe using retractable zip ties or a klickfix solution? I want to >>>>>>> have >>>>>>> the versatility to have it on most of the time for my inner city use, >>>>>>> but >>>>>>> from time to time on long rides, have the option to go crate-free. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My last question is, is this a terrible idea? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks and looking forward to your feedback. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> "I want the kind of six pack you can't drink." -- Micah >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> >> >> > > > > -- > > http://resumespecialties.com/index.html > [email protected] > http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmooreresumespec/ > > > Albuquerque, NM > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > > -- "I want the kind of six pack you can't drink." -- Micah -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
