[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[John Hawrylak]

Kolby

Is your "light tubed rando bike" low trail??

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ

On Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 3:13:41 PM UTC-5, Kolby wrote:

> Hey Kieran, FWIW I used my old Ram for lighter touring and it did great, 
> including with a front load (I had a nitto campee with low riders) of 
> reasonable weight.
>
> I'm no gram weenie, but with today's gear technologies I see no reason to 
> carry more than 20 pounds for all the basics of shelter, clothing, food, 
> tools, etc., and that's easily cut in half by using ultralight backpacking 
> principles. It's remarkable how light of a load you can carry without 
> sacrificing any comfort. Today I use a light tubed rando bike with a 
> handlebar bag and low riders for bike camping, while my actual "touring" 
> bike is now my around town mule.
>
> -Kolby
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Steve Palincsar]

On 01/04/2017 02:21 PM, Greg J wrote:


Tubing stoutness is all relative--  Despite Grant's warning that this 
isn't a full-on tourer (compared to the Atlantis or Hunq), the Ramb 
still has a plenty stout frame (compared to the thin walls that are 
fashionable these days). 


The Rambouillet's frame is easily as stout as the best loaded tourers of 
the 1970s, bikes like the Jack Taylor Tourist made with 10/7/10 std 531.



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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[KTY]

Hey Kieran, FWIW I used my old Ram for lighter touring and it did great, 
including with a front load (I had a nitto campee with low riders) of 
reasonable weight.

I'm no gram weenie, but with today's gear technologies I see no reason to 
carry more than 20 pounds for all the basics of shelter, clothing, food, 
tools, etc., and that's easily cut in half by using ultralight backpacking 
principles. It's remarkable how light of a load you can carry without 
sacrificing any comfort. Today I use a light tubed rando bike with a 
handlebar bag and low riders for bike camping, while my actual "touring" 
bike is now my around town mule.

-Kolby

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Re: [RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[KTY]

Hey Kieran, FWIW I used my old Ram for lighter touring and it did great, 
including with a front load (I had a nitto campee with low riders) of 
reasonable weight.

I'm no gram weenie, but with today's gear technologies I see no reason to 
carry more than 20 pounds for all the basics of shelter, clothing, food, 
tools, etc., and that's easily cut in half by using ultralight backpacking 
principles. It's remarkable how light of a load you can carry without 
sacrificing any comfort. Today I use a light tubed rando bike with a 
handlebar bag and low riders for bike camping, while my actual "touring" 
bike is now my around town mule.

-Kolby


On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 11:32:37 AM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:
>
> Nice!!
>
> On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 11:04:28 AM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote:
>>
>> Tubus makes superior alternatives to P clamps for fork mountings (these 
>> work for other purposes besides mounting lowriders, btw). 
>>
>> Photo from thetouringstore.com
>>
>>
>> [image: Inline image 1] 
> 
>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Greg J]

Many many years ago, my wife rode her Rambouillet down the CA coast with a 
front rack.  It probably was a Bruce Gordon front rack with P-clamps.  We 
weren't camping, so we packed pretty lightly, but it held your usual load 
of clothing, some food, etc.  I don't recall it being a problem at that 
time.

Tubing stoutness is all relative--  Despite Grant's warning that this isn't 
a full-on tourer (compared to the Atlantis or Hunq), the Ramb still has a 
plenty stout frame (compared to the thin walls that are fashionable these 
days).  Unless you're going on a self-contained cross-country type trip, or 
technical dirt trails, you shouldn't have any trouble taking it on a 
weekend trip with 4 pannier's worth (or 2 frontloaders plus a saddlebag).

Good luck!

Greg
Oakland, CA

On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 1:24:49 PM UTC-8, Kieran J wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>
> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>
> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>
>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock fork?
>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>
> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
> bike.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kieran
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Patrick Moore]

Pure prejudice, I suppose; well, perhaps impure prejudice based on my
experience of 5 Rivendell road bikes, which all in varying ways seem to
have hit a sweet spot containing both stability and agility. But I've never
ridden a Monstercross, so I do not know at all if this is true. Still, in
terms of risk, if offered money on it, I'd probably take the gamble.

On Sun, Jan 1, 2017 at 8:53 PM, Bill in Roswell GA 
wrote:

> Patrick, just curious as to why you would think the Ram would handle
> better (with or without a load?) than the Monstercross? I ask because I was
> considering a Monstercross at one point for week-long adventure touring.
> You've had a considerable stable of bikes over the years making a wonderful
> basis of comparison.
>
> Cheers,
> Bill in Roswell, GA
>
> On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 11:07:36 AM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote:
>>
>> FWIW, my brother recently bought a BM Monstercross, and even more
>> recently installed some Soma 42 mm tires at sub 500 grams each in place of
>> the 29er tires. While he liked the handling and feel before, he did say
>> that the new and lighter tires made the Monstercross feel much more lively.
>> But he's a big man, so it may handle for him differently for a smaller
>> person.
>>
>>  tho' I don't doubt that the Ram handles better than the MC in any
>> event 
>>
>> On Thu, Dec 29, 2016 at 8:21 AM, Kieran J  wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It's funny - in reality, it would be way easier to use my Black Mountain
>>> Monstercross for light touring like this - it has the fork eyelets to mount
>>> the rack, and it has generous tire/fender clearance. However, it is a very
>>> dull ride, and just does not have the 'pizzazz' like the Rambouillet does.
>>> While the Ram is no BQ plane-o-matic, it is easily a nicer riding (and
>>> better fitting) bike, so I am motivated to increase its carrying capacity
>>> while preserving its fairly pleasant ride characteristics.
>>>
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Re: [RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Bill in Roswell GA]

Patrick, just curious as to why you would think the Ram would handle better 
(with or without a load?) than the Monstercross? I ask because I was 
considering a Monstercross at one point for week-long adventure touring. 
You've had a considerable stable of bikes over the years making a wonderful 
basis of comparison.

Cheers,
Bill in Roswell, GA

On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 11:07:36 AM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote:
>
> FWIW, my brother recently bought a BM Monstercross, and even more recently 
> installed some Soma 42 mm tires at sub 500 grams each in place of the 29er 
> tires. While he liked the handling and feel before, he did say that the new 
> and lighter tires made the Monstercross feel much more lively. But he's a 
> big man, so it may handle for him differently for a smaller person.
>
>  tho' I don't doubt that the Ram handles better than the MC in any 
> event 
>
> On Thu, Dec 29, 2016 at 8:21 AM, Kieran J  
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> It's funny - in reality, it would be way easier to use my Black Mountain 
>> Monstercross for light touring like this - it has the fork eyelets to mount 
>> the rack, and it has generous tire/fender clearance. However, it is a very 
>> dull ride, and just does not have the 'pizzazz' like the Rambouillet does. 
>> While the Ram is no BQ plane-o-matic, it is easily a nicer riding (and 
>> better fitting) bike, so I am motivated to increase its carrying capacity 
>> while preserving its fairly pleasant ride characteristics.
>>
>>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Dick Denning]

Bill:

Oops.  You're right of course.  I should've read what I wrote more 
closely.  And you're also right in that the Rawland Nordavinden seemed to 
handle a loaded handlebar bag just fine.  It was a full camping load that 
seemed to tax it.  A great bike otherwise. 

Dick   

 

On Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 12:25:04 PM UTC-5, Bill M. wrote:

> Nordavinden has much LESS trail due to the 70 mm fork offset, down around 
> 31 mm.  It's not designed to carry much of a load, just a front rando-style 
> bag.
>
> Bill
> Stockton, CA
>
> On Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 8:00:13 AM UTC-8, Dick Denning wrote:
>>
>> Kieran: 
>>
>> I went on a 5 day fully loaded tour on my orange 58cm Rambouillet back in 
>> September.  It was the tenth annual fall tour I take every year with a few 
>> riding buddies.  Had a Jandd hooped low rider rack held onto the stock fork 
>> blades with P-clamps.  I used full sized rear panniers on each side of the 
>> rack and had 15-17lbs in each pannier.  Also had a VO rack that held and 
>> supported my Sackville handlebar bag.  Used an old Adam (Rivendell bag) in 
>> combo with a Bagman off my saddle and carried my tent in the bag.  Used 
>> Gran Bois Cerf (28mm - but measure more like 30mm) tires with VO Fluted 
>> fenders.
>>
>> I was very happy with the way the way the bike rode and with the weight 
>> low didn't get an annoying amount of wheel flop.  
>> Not tons of clearance between the tires and the fenders, but enough to 
>> get by.  This was the first time I rode the Ramb for camping, much less 
>> with a front load.  I've camped with other front load setups and very much 
>> prefer it to a rear load bias.  I thought the Ramb rode great and will 
>> absolutely use the same set up for future tours.  I weight about 160lbs.  
>>
>> Like you, I've thought about having my Ramb modified with a different 
>> fork (a bit more trail, room for more tire, mid stay eyelets..), having the 
>> rear brake bridge raised, etc., but haven't gotten to it.
>>
>> For comparison, I rode a 57cm Nordavinden on the prior year's tour with 
>> the same set up (less tire b/c the Norda had even less clearance than the 
>> Ramb) and didn't care for it as much as the Ramb.  The ride was too noodly, 
>> there wasn't  enough tire width under me, and maybe it had too much(?) 
>> trail as the Norda's have a lot of fork offset (70mm?). 
>>
>> Kai from Brooklyn is right.  Side to side balance is what matters.  I had 
>> a total of 40-45lbs of stuff on this years tour and had all but maybe 10lbs 
>> on the front end between the panniers and my h-bar bag.
>>
>> Hope this helps. 
>>
>> Dick
>>
>>  
>>
>> On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>>>
>>> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of 
>>> a front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
>>> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>>>
>>> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>>>
>>>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>>>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock 
>>>fork?
>>>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>>>
>>> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
>>> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
>>> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
>>> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
>>> bike.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Kieran
>>>
>>>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Bill M.]

Nordavinden has much LESS trail due to the 70 mm fork offset, down around 
31 mm.  It's not designed to carry much of a load, just a front rando-style 
bag.

Bill
Stockton, CA

On Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 8:00:13 AM UTC-8, Dick Denning wrote:
>
> Kieran: 
>
> I went on a 5 day fully loaded tour on my orange 58cm Rambouillet back in 
> September.  It was the tenth annual fall tour I take every year with a few 
> riding buddies.  Had a Jandd hooped low rider rack held onto the stock fork 
> blades with P-clamps.  I used full sized rear panniers on each side of the 
> rack and had 15-17lbs in each pannier.  Also had a VO rack that held and 
> supported my Sackville handlebar bag.  Used an old Adam (Rivendell bag) in 
> combo with a Bagman off my saddle and carried my tent in the bag.  Used 
> Gran Bois Cerf (28mm - but measure more like 30mm) tires with VO Fluted 
> fenders.
>
> I was very happy with the way the way the bike rode and with the weight 
> low didn't get an annoying amount of wheel flop.  
> Not tons of clearance between the tires and the fenders, but enough to get 
> by.  This was the first time I rode the Ramb for camping, much less with a 
> front load.  I've camped with other front load setups and very much prefer 
> it to a rear load bias.  I thought the Ramb rode great and will 
> absolutely use the same set up for future tours.  I weight about 160lbs.  
>
> Like you, I've thought about having my Ramb modified with a different fork 
> (a bit more trail, room for more tire, mid stay eyelets..), having the rear 
> brake bridge raised, etc., but haven't gotten to it.
>
> For comparison, I rode a 57cm Nordavinden on the prior year's tour with 
> the same set up (less tire b/c the Norda had even less clearance than the 
> Ramb) and didn't care for it as much as the Ramb.  The ride was too noodly, 
> there wasn't  enough tire width under me, and maybe it had too much(?) 
> trail as the Norda's have a lot of fork offset (70mm?). 
>
> Kai from Brooklyn is right.  Side to side balance is what matters.  I had 
> a total of 40-45lbs of stuff on this years tour and had all but maybe 10lbs 
> on the front end between the panniers and my h-bar bag.
>
> Hope this helps. 
>
> Dick
>
>  
>
> On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>>
>> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
>> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
>> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>>
>> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>>
>>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock 
>>fork?
>>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>>
>> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
>> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
>> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
>> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
>> bike.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Kieran
>>
>>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[dougP]

"I was very happy with the way the way the bike rode..." &  "I had a total 
of 40-45lbs of stuff on this years tour..."

That's about as good an endorsement as one could get for the touring 
capability of the Ram.  I rarely carry that much weight on my Atlantis.  
It's impressive what can be done if one just takes the time to experiment 
with load placement.  

dougP  

On Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 8:00:13 AM UTC-8, Dick Denning wrote:
>
> Kieran: 
>
> I went on a 5 day fully loaded tour on my orange 58cm Rambouillet back in 
> September.  It was the tenth annual fall tour I take every year with a few 
> riding buddies.  Had a Jandd hooped low rider rack held onto the stock fork 
> blades with P-clamps.  I used full sized rear panniers on each side of the 
> rack and had 15-17lbs in each pannier.  Also had a VO rack that held and 
> supported my Sackville handlebar bag.  Used an old Adam (Rivendell bag) in 
> combo with a Bagman off my saddle and carried my tent in the bag.  Used 
> Gran Bois Cerf (28mm - but measure more like 30mm) tires with VO Fluted 
> fenders.
>
> I was very happy with the way the way the bike rode and with the weight 
> low didn't get an annoying amount of wheel flop.  
> Not tons of clearance between the tires and the fenders, but enough to get 
> by.  This was the first time I rode the Ramb for camping, much less with a 
> front load.  I've camped with other front load setups and very much prefer 
> it to a rear load bias.  I thought the Ramb rode great and will 
> absolutely use the same set up for future tours.  I weight about 160lbs.  
>
> Like you, I've thought about having my Ramb modified with a different fork 
> (a bit more trail, room for more tire, mid stay eyelets..), having the rear 
> brake bridge raised, etc., but haven't gotten to it.
>
> For comparison, I rode a 57cm Nordavinden on the prior year's tour with 
> the same set up (less tire b/c the Norda had even less clearance than the 
> Ramb) and didn't care for it as much as the Ramb.  The ride was too noodly, 
> there wasn't  enough tire width under me, and maybe it had too much(?) 
> trail as the Norda's have a lot of fork offset (70mm?). 
>
> Kai from Brooklyn is right.  Side to side balance is what matters.  I had 
> a total of 40-45lbs of stuff on this years tour and had all but maybe 10lbs 
> on the front end between the panniers and my h-bar bag.
>
> Hope this helps. 
>
> Dick
>
>  
>
> On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>>
>> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
>> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
>> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>>
>> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>>
>>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock 
>>fork?
>>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>>
>> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
>> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
>> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
>> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
>> bike.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Kieran
>>
>>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Dick Denning]

Kieran: 

I went on a 5 day fully loaded tour on my orange 58cm Rambouillet back in 
September.  It was the tenth annual fall tour I take every year with a few 
riding buddies.  Had a Jandd hooped low rider rack held onto the stock fork 
blades with P-clamps.  I used full sized rear panniers on each side of the 
rack and had 15-17lbs in each pannier.  Also had a VO rack that held and 
supported my Sackville handlebar bag.  Used an old Adam (Rivendell bag) in 
combo with a Bagman off my saddle and carried my tent in the bag.  Used 
Gran Bois Cerf (28mm - but measure more like 30mm) tires with VO Fluted 
fenders.

I was very happy with the way the way the bike rode and with the weight low 
didn't get an annoying amount of wheel flop.  
Not tons of clearance between the tires and the fenders, but enough to get 
by.  This was the first time I rode the Ramb for camping, much less with a 
front load.  I've camped with other front load setups and very much prefer 
it to a rear load bias.  I thought the Ramb rode great and will 
absolutely use the same set up for future tours.  I weight about 160lbs.  

Like you, I've thought about having my Ramb modified with a different fork 
(a bit more trail, room for more tire, mid stay eyelets..), having the rear 
brake bridge raised, etc., but haven't gotten to it.

For comparison, I rode a 57cm Nordavinden on the prior year's tour with the 
same set up (less tire b/c the Norda had even less clearance than the Ramb) 
and didn't care for it as much as the Ramb.  The ride was too noodly, there 
wasn't  enough tire width under me, and maybe it had too much(?) trail as 
the Norda's have a lot of fork offset (70mm?). 

Kai from Brooklyn is right.  Side to side balance is what matters.  I had a 
total of 40-45lbs of stuff on this years tour and had all but maybe 10lbs 
on the front end between the panniers and my h-bar bag.

Hope this helps. 

Dick

 

On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>
> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>
> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>
>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock fork?
>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>
> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
> bike.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kieran
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[C.J. Filip]

Have had good luck running a Jandd low rider on my Saluki on long weekend 
tours.  The weight is handled just fine.

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Kieran J]

Well, I fit up the Tara this evening to see how it looked - not bad! I used 
some P-clamps I had on hand, and it's actually quite solid - if a little 
crooked.

I don't have any good panniers but I may rig up some crummy old ones that I 
tossed in the garage a while back. And then wait til spring to try it out!

KJ





On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>
> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>
> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>
>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock fork?
>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>
> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
> bike.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kieran
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Kai Vierstra]

I use the tubus clamps Patrick posted, they're perfect.
I wanted to clarify my opinions on balanced loads and wiggly frames, when I say 
balanced load on front lowriders, I mean side to side, not back to front. I'm 
happier with all the weight on the front as low as it'll go, leaving the back 
clear of any substantial load. I had an incident with some breakage earlier 
this year which I at least partially credit to having a rear load on a, in this 
case, quickbeam, and how that flexed the frame. I know that I'm a rear load for 
the most part, but a dynamic as opposed to static one. So, for me it's static 
and dynamo up front, dynamic in the back.
-Kai 
Brooklyn NY 

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Re: [RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Kieran J]

Nice!!

On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 11:04:28 AM UTC-5, Patrick Moore wrote:
>
> Tubus makes superior alternatives to P clamps for fork mountings (these 
> work for other purposes besides mounting lowriders, btw). 
>
> Photo from thetouringstore.com
>
>
> [image: Inline image 1] 


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Re: [RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Patrick Moore]

FWIW, my brother recently bought a BM Monstercross, and even more recently
installed some Soma 42 mm tires at sub 500 grams each in place of the 29er
tires. While he liked the handling and feel before, he did say that the new
and lighter tires made the Monstercross feel much more lively. But he's a
big man, so it may handle for him differently for a smaller person.

 tho' I don't doubt that the Ram handles better than the MC in any
event 

On Thu, Dec 29, 2016 at 8:21 AM, Kieran J  wrote:

>
>
> It's funny - in reality, it would be way easier to use my Black Mountain
> Monstercross for light touring like this - it has the fork eyelets to mount
> the rack, and it has generous tire/fender clearance. However, it is a very
> dull ride, and just does not have the 'pizzazz' like the Rambouillet does.
> While the Ram is no BQ plane-o-matic, it is easily a nicer riding (and
> better fitting) bike, so I am motivated to increase its carrying capacity
> while preserving its fairly pleasant ride characteristics.
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[Kieran J]

For sure! I actually have a Tara lying around but I would have to source 
some proper size P-clamps to secure it mid-blade. This discussion is 
helping me realize I should just rig that up to start.

I envision the Ram as a light tourer for some upcoming short trips I want 
to do, in which case I would load it with light and bulky clothes and such 
in the panniers, some small essentials in the Bandito and the rest in an 
Acorn saddlebag I have. I liked the idea of a new fork to carry everything 
on the front as I prefer, and the Ram has the 73* HT angle to make that 
work, but that is of course the most costly and intrusive course of action. 
Maybe later ..

It's funny - in reality, it would be way easier to use my Black Mountain 
Monstercross for light touring like this - it has the fork eyelets to mount 
the rack, and it has generous tire/fender clearance. However, it is a very 
dull ride, and just does not have the 'pizzazz' like the Rambouillet does. 
While the Ram is no BQ plane-o-matic, it is easily a nicer riding (and 
better fitting) bike, so I am motivated to increase its carrying capacity 
while preserving its fairly pleasant ride characteristics.

KJ


On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 9:42:29 AM UTC-5, John Hawrylak wrote:
>
> Kieran
>
> With all due respect, buying a low cost front low rider, Tubus Tara for 
> example approx. $120, and trying it seems a better choice than a new fork.
>
> The feedback from Steve, Kai, and Patrick appear to show the Ram can 
> handle a moderate front load well, and heavier loads if balanced front to 
> back.  I'm sure if Patrick was to haul 40lbs total a lot, he would split it 
> front to back.  The fact 40lb was handled OK with sluggish steering 
> indicates a low rider would be no problem.
>
> John Hawrylak
> Woodstown NJ
>
> On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 11:51:50 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:
>
>> I will add that the most extreme (and yet possibly most logical) option 
>> would be to commission a new low-ish trail fork from Tom Matchak or another 
>> builder, and powder the whole shootin' match. 
>>
>> I'm wanting to reserve that as a last and most sensible/costly resort.
>>
>> KJ
>>
>>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[John Hawrylak]

Kieran

With all due respect, buying a low cost front low rider, Tubus Tara for 
example approx. $120, and trying it seems a better choice than a new fork.

The feedback from Steve, Kai, and Patrick appear to show the Ram can handle 
a moderate front load well, and heavier loads if balanced front to back.  
I'm sure if Patrick was to haul 40lbs total a lot, he would split it front 
to back.  The fact 40lb was handled OK with sluggish steering indicates a 
low rider would be no problem.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ

On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 11:51:50 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:

> I will add that the most extreme (and yet possibly most logical) option 
> would be to commission a new low-ish trail fork from Tom Matchak or another 
> builder, and powder the whole shootin' match. 
>
> I'm wanting to reserve that as a last and most sensible/costly resort.
>
> KJ
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[John Hawrylak]

As Kai from Brooklyn pointed out, the key for a 'normal' trail geometry is 
balance the load front to back.   Rear loads are more difficult on low 
trial.  The 'no free lunch' proves true again.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ


On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>
> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>
> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>
>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock fork?
>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>
> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
> bike.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kieran
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Front Low-rider Panniers on Rambouillet?

[John Hawrylak]

The majority of weight on a *low rider* is carried by the attachment to the 
front dropout eyelet.  The mid fork attachment stabilizers the rack, levels 
it, but does not carry much load.

Therefore, the fork tubing is not carrying much weight.  A Marks Rack would 
be entirely different, as already pointed out.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ

On Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 4:24:49 PM UTC-5, Kieran J wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season!
>
> I'm curious about how the Rambouillet handles with different configs of a 
> front load. I've only ever really used a small Swift Bandito up on the 
> handlebar, but never anything more substantial. 
>
> Have any Ram owners ever: 
>
>- somehow run low-rider panniers on the stock fork?
>- run low-rider panniers and an additional front bag on the stock fork?
>- had success with an aftermarket fork with a different trail figure?
>
> Long story, I'm thinking of having a couple mods done to my Ram and new 
> powder done (the Creamsicle is cool, but doesn't match anything - 
> especially not all the red clothing I have). I would consider adding 
> mid-fork eyelets if running front low-riders appears to work well for the 
> bike.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kieran
>
>

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