Agreed that 4 struts on a Mark's are key, which is why I am surprised that apparently no-one has thought of mounting the second set of struts to the inside of the hourglass brazeon on the fork (see related thread: "4 struts on a Mark's"). Chris Chen thought of mounting the rear set of struts to the inside of the rack (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumachrome/8506365178/in/photostream), but that doesn't solve the issue of stacking two struts onto one bolt at the fork, though it does provide some side-to-side triangulation.
I have ordered bent and straight stays from Riv for my wife's Mark's and will report back on various mounting options of the second set of struts in a month or so when they arrive in Thailand. Regarding the problem of front wheel movement while parked with a front load, I have just installed a steering damper on my Sam with a big Wald basket on a Nitto Mini Front rack (as well as a stem-mounted child seat). As you can see, with about 13lbs the movement is limited to about 45 degrees (this can be fine-tuned with an adjustment screw): http://www.flickr.com/photos/gernothuber/ Steering is probably slowed a bit near the limit, but I think that handling is actually improved with a heavy front load, while I don't notice any difference during unloaded riding, though I haven't really tested that yet. I like the steering damper so much that I think that Riv should start providing a brazeon for it. Seems like the logical step after mid-fork rack mounts and kickstand plates. I thought I was kidding on this last comment, but apparently at least some Dutch bikes have such a brazeon: http://overthebarsinmilwaukee.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/steering-damper.jpg Gernot Thailand On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 2:12:24 AM UTC+7, William wrote: > > Edwin > > Sounds like a good list. The key to using the Mark's Rack with a true > load is the second set of struts, as you can see in the staff bikes photos > (Keven's Appaloosa, Grant's Homer). It's much more loadable with the > second pair of struts. > > On Monday, February 25, 2013 5:36:47 PM UTC-8, Edwin W wrote: >> >> I am weighing (no pun intended!) a few of the helpful suggestions from >> the group. I think I am considering: >> CETMA strong and tough, ugly and expensive. >> Blackburn cheap and tough, ugly and not made for this bike. >> Marks elegant and made for the bike, expensive and wondering about weight >> limit, but I see on the staff bikes they appear to hold more than 4.4 >> pounds. Someone from the list has told me they might have one of these. >> Gamoj porter like on Sean's bike on the staff bikes page. >> >> As to my original post: I almost always carry 5-10 pounds in my work bag >> to and from work, and on rare occasion a 12 pack of beer and very rarely a >> case or other such groceries, but would love to have the option. And have >> it be better than the current situation with soma rack and p clamps. >> >> Thanks for all of the suggestions. >> >> Edwin >> >> -- 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 rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
