My way to carry – front rack journey

In the hope that this post will help others, I wanted to share my way for setting up a front rack, especially since I've tried a few options along the way.(I didn't want a solution with clamps for a rear rack. My bike has no eyelets.)

What did I want to carry?

• Mainly my lunch for work, keys, phone and a rainjacket.
• 2-3 times a week additional stuff for the gym (i.e. small towel, sports clothes, trainers and a shake)
• Once a week, stuff for the sauna after training (i.e. 1-2 towels, slippers, shampoo…)

Starting point:

Fuji Feather with bullhorn handlebars with brake levers in the centre and tried out various front racks.

Try-outs:

1. First the Pelago Commuter front rack in size L with the Pelago Rackbag Eco Large (both work as a set, perfectly matched).
2. I also tried another type of front rack with the Basil Portland front carrier.

Conclusion: Both options were easy to attach to the rigid axle and the front brake, but the Basil Portland in particular was a tad wider than my handlebars, which not only looks odd, but is also a problem when parking the bike against walls or riding through tight spaces.

It also just looked way too big compared to the style of my bike.

Also didn't like the fact that no matter how tightly I tightened my rucksack, it always moved around or didn't attach as quickly as I wanted plus depending on the rucksack straps they came dangerously close to my front tire. Upside down doesnt work as nice with my bagpack at least.

I liked the system of the Pelago bag, but the "L" was too big for me as it left me no room for my fingers to operate my brakes.

Thanks to a few tips here, I came across the Cane Creek brake levers.

Unfortunately, it was still very cramped as the bag filled up all the space between my handlebars, left to right.

So my last attempt was to order the Pelago in M with the matching bag (M), although I had doubts that I would be able to fit everything in.

This was the best decision: I got room for my fingers on each handlebar position, I have better brakes on the horns and the bag and rack are as small as possible for my use.

Taking off the pelago bag is way faster than using a strap imo, it takes me 2 sec in which i gently touch the magnetic buckles and i just take it off. Attaching takes couple secs more depending how easy you can reach the buckles but tightening is just a pull each.
Also love the small side bags for storaging phone and keys, i can easily take out the phone during a red light etc and put it back in.
also comes with a shoulder strap, but i just use the handles so far! easy to compress as well with different positions to fix the hook-buckles(?!) to the bag itself, i often just roll the bag tight and done.

It also rides better than the bigger options, the weight is even closer and more compact to the bike and it looks as minimal as possible.

The rack also works as a support for my smaller Aevor bag.

Attached is a photo of what fits in the smaller Pelago bag, this is the maximum I carry for work, gym and sauna.

There's still room for a little grocery shopping at the supermarket afterwards! 🙂

I hope this post can help some of you!

Pelago M

Basil Portland

Basil Portland

Pelago L, full packed no room for Hands

Aevor Bar Bag/Sling

Typical packing list for day to work and gym after