Hey, thanks for stopping by! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the RSS feed. You can also subscribe to BikeHacks by email. Thanks for visiting!
CETMA racks are the coolest. They’re front mounted racks of varying sizes that are pretty much bombproof. And they’re made in Eugene, Oregon…just a couple hours south of me. One day I will acquire one (maybe this year!)–probably a five rail rack with the fence, powdercoated.
I’ve also lusted after Ahearne racks, here in Portland. But they’ve been so successful that they’re focusing on whole bikes at this point. And I already have a whole bike. Just want a front rack. But I think Ahearne is still selling their sweet little Spaceman flask holster, in case you’re interested.
Anyway, I was poking around the web and came across an instructable for building a CETMA-style rack.
I suspect this would be a bit heavier than a genuine CETMA, but equally bombproof. You’ll need some tubular steel and some angle iron. And you’ll need a drill and a bit that are burly enough to get through all that steel. You basically build a simple frame and mount. Looks like it’d be totally functional, but heavy.
3 comments for this entry ↓
1 Ryan // Feb 6, 2008 at 4:18 am
I want to see a pic of the owner of that bike riding home from the hardware store with a bag or two of concrete mix bungeed to the front rack. I feel pretty sure the rack could do it, the rider and the bikes brakes might not be as enthusiastic though.
You could also substitute aluminium for steel and you’d still have a beef-cake front rack but you wouldn’t ruin as many drill bits during the construction phase and it might be a little lighter. It’s easy to find free steel scraps though, free aluminium is a lot harder to come by.
2 Lane // Feb 6, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Well done! Looks like you’ve got the right idea there. Why pay someone to make it for you if you’ve got the ingenuity to do it yourself? I love it.
I know it goes against the popular paradigm, but I encourage anyone to make their own front rack if they have the means.
I’ve considered posting DIY instructions on my website, and may do it…if I can just find the time!
3 Ben // Feb 7, 2008 at 6:27 am
thanks lane! i appreciate the comments and thank you for your inspiration on the style and construction. the rack works great.
Leave a Comment