[Yak] RE: front or rear rack

[Fritz Krueger]

Pete wrote:
New to Bike Friday -- I like to tour with only two panniers. I carry
them on the front of my large bike. Does this configuration work well
on the Bike Friday? I have an NWT. I am really wondering if I should
spend the money for a front rack. The bike came with a rear rack.

Fritz replies:
On my last 2-day trip with my Bike Friday New World Tourist I used
front and rear panniers.  My rear panniers do not fit very well on the
standard Bike Friday rear rack.  So I switched the panniers from the
rear to the front and vice versa.  The larger panniers worked fine up
front.

I just measured the distance from the top of the front pannier
attachment points to the ground.  My Bike Friday front pannier rack
has 2" more ground clearance than the front pannier rack on my 26"
wheeled tandem.  So I see no functional reason for you not to put your
panniers on the front of your NWT.  However, you asked "if I should
spend the money".  That is a value question that no one can answer for
you.  I see the front pannier rack costs $95.  If that is the setup
you want, is it worth $95 to you?

     Fritz