Front rack for classic bag / measures

[c-cycles]

Hello,

I'm building a front rack for a randonneur. I want to support a bag like this one As I don't have a bag in the house I'm asking myself how wide the vertical part (for the back side) has to be. I assume something between 2" and 3". But maybe the experienced builder can give me the real measures?

Front rack details von c-cycles auf Flickr

[afwalker]

Haven't done a front rack, but the support looks fine for the type of leather strap on that bag.
Maybe you are planning of some lateral support so the bag does not tip side to side?
Sorry about the bad drawing, but some small wings to the side would be a good addition to that bag which might get heavy.
Front rack, discussion on Vsalon bad drawing:) by afwalker, on Flickr
It sure would help to have the bag there to get the rack correct, but that's not always possible:)
I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in...
cheers

[Eric Estlund]

My suggestion would be to have the bag in hand. With the Berthoud strap there is more wiggle room then with some designs, but having the parts in front of you will have a huge impact on how you go about constructing the rack.

[Andrew R Stewart]

I can't see making a rack that fits a traditional HB bag well without the bag/stem/bars in hand. Way to many variables. Any.

[c-cycles]

Thanks for your replies. @Eric & Andy Stewart: you are right - building the rack without having the bag is kind of a lottery. It's mandatory for me to have parts like cranks / fenders or wheels when building frame & fork. As the rack is for myself and I don't plan to buy a GB bag in the near future I have to take thr risk. If it doesn't fit I have to build a new one - as we say in Germany: not for punishment but for practice...
@Andy Walker: static-wise your idea has a nice touch - with the "flaps" at each side even the heaviest bag will be supported well.