The McNamara fallacy, named for the infamous US secretary of defense during the Vietnam War, is about decision-making with an over-reliance on quantifiable metrics. "If you can't measure what's important, that which is easily measured becomes important". Sadly, there are few places where this sort of decision making is more prevalent than in the bicycle industry. In the case of racks, I've learned that max weight limit is often that metric.
Realistically, the weight this rack can carry will be limited by the fork. But I've got an incentive to do lab testing at the highest possible weight anyway.
What's the magic number for a front rack?
Front rack update:
· Production samples in
· Brazed joints, which means chrome plating works!
· Satin chrome + black options look excellent
· I'm finalizing an optional crown mount to make it work on forks with only mid-leg rack bosses.
· About 490g complete rack weight
· SUH dude
Confession: I've been sitting on these longer rack prototypes for over 6 months deciding what to do about it.
I think a lot of people intuitively prefer to use the rack mounts on their frame, but by fixing the rack strut at the drop-out, you lose most of the adjustability of Rat Tail. So it no longer becomes possible to fit nicely on all bikes.
My dilemma: selling these would make a bunch of people happy, but a lot of people would choose it over Rat Tail and end up with a worse fit. (And then, potentially require cross-border returns, which is disastrously complicated in our new world order.)
AND, I could add some adjustability to solve that problem but it would end over 500g, which may defeat the purpose of this genre of rack.
Some important themes really struck a chord from today's @bikepackingcom article by @joshm.de about @witslingers .
"However, as Tijmen sees it, the system basically offers two paths for small bag manufacturers: secure investment and outsource production to push standardized products like Tailfin or Swift, or go bespoke and premium at increasingly exorbitant prices. This corroborates what I hear from other custom makers."
I learned in my previous life as a bag maker that if you are motivated by 'innovation', as I am, the latter approach means you will effectively be working for free for the bigger players. This is what happened with several of my cleverest ideas, such as the Porcelain Rocket Microwave panniers, which have recently been copied by Revelate Designs to great success.
These experiences are what have pushed me to try the other path with Mica (though really in half measures, since I'm trying it without $$). I often joke that spite is one of the most powerful forces in the universe, and I have it on my side. I've learned that the challenge with original product ideas is not just to come up with them, but to be able to deliver before a bigger player takes it so that you can actually get paid. Ironically, the reality of this leaves little time for design.
Huge respect to Tijmen @witslingers for bravely committing to the hard life that it takes to become a master of a craft, and equally bravely changing in a graceful way when it felt right. Thanks @joshm.de for another thought provoking piece!
Laser cut parts arrived, so I made the latest front rack iteration. I think this is pretty much it:
· Bigger deck (115mm x 330mm)
· 70mm of height adjustment
· Stainless side plates (for looks)
· 456g as shown
Wish it was lighter, but seems like removing any more metal would make it worse.
Snuck in one final overnighter for the year, and it was a good one! Limited riding, sweating, and difficulty, in exchange for camp hangs and relaxing. #goodnight2025campout
