Standard bike racks are great for carrying panniers and small loads, but how do you get that casserole to the potluck without your car? What about getting that box of documents you brought home back to the office? You certainly don’t want to squash all those beautiful heirloom tomatoes you found at the farmers market by putting them in your backpack or messenger bag.

Large platform front racks are the easiest, safest way to carry larger loads on the standard bicycle you already own. The load being supported evenly by the large platform prevents things from leaning or falling off the side. Having your cargo in front of you is a big advantage too since you can see if it does shift or open or bounce around. Forward placement also improves stability since heavy rear loads tend to make the bike sway, wobble and corner unpredictably.

I make two basic types of semi-custom rack. The light, elegant, Blue Suede Shoes Pret a Porteur is perfect for everyday commuting, errands and day trips. Then there’s the absurdly bomb proof, ever so much more showy, Fat Elvis. I’m not going to talk you out of one, but the Fat Elvis is really only necessary if you are a professional courier, or using it to cart your car’s transmission to the shop over cobblestone roads.

Both styles feature a large aluminum plate platform for stable loading, folding construction for versatility, and compatibility with most steel forks. The rugged stainless steel frame design I use is much stronger than the galvanized baskets or other racks that use the same hardware.