Pannier Help!

[Flybye]

Wow, you have all been busy! Let me see, where to start............

I have/had the trek interchange. I really like it

SBC - I am sorry that you lost your marbles twice. I had a "bout" of time where I lost keys - it was shameful. I ended up getting 6 sets made and guess what? I have only lost one set since then! It is nice to know that you like the Trek system. Do you have a carbon bike?

I'd be very hesitant to strap a rack to a carbon frame.

I have heard both - "it's fine" and "don't do it". I guess that if it is a rack that attaches to the seatpost, the only thing that would need replaced on occasion is the seatpost? Right? After all the $$ I spend a year on biking, a new seatpost now and then seems to be pocket change . Is there any other risk that you have heard of other than it wearing the post over time?

Whatever type of mounting system you use (I'm not aware of anything but the little metal collars that substitute for braze-ons

A what huh??? Braze-on? Fancy word for metal collar??

I'd be seriously worried about weakening composite.

Has this actually happened to someone? How likely would it be if I were only using the system 15 times or so over a summer? Want me to be the guneia pig here?

Plenty of roadies on the ride I just did this weekend were wearing fanny packs

Me no likey the fanny pack. I am packing enough fanny as it is .

As for a laptop, is your commute too long to wear a backpack comfortably?

No- I have a short commute. I don't think I'll be taking the laptop on a century ride with me, even though I truly love the forum, it can wait a day or two for me to return

ETA: you would've appreciated one of the riders I saw yesterday. She was wearing a wool jersey, probably too big for her to begin with, that had stretched after getting wet, and her pockets were very full. The pockets and their contents were hanging down below the back of her saddle like a tunic

Do your ears hang low? Do they wobble too and fro? Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them................sorry, ahem, back on subject.

And pepper spray goes best on a handlebar mount, they're available.

I have a handlebar mount for my spray. It is just playing hide and seek with me at the moment. It is winning!

I'd say get a medium sized handlebar bag.

More shopping? Is my work never done here? Good idear.

I've seen folks ride plenty speedy with a(n empty) rack on the back of their bike. Looks Fred to those who care, but....well...there it is.

Peer pressure to look cool just kind of seems so insignificant when I am riding around in rubber britches! (Spandex)

Generally, clamp-on racks (such as this) should NOT be used on carbon seatposts. If you have no way to attach a standard rack to your frame and have a carbon seatpost, generally, you're SOL for carrying.....

Is generally the operative word here? I am thinking that I should brave the odds or get an aluminum seat post.

Would you consider a handlebar bag .....and then perhaps a laptop backpack for commuting when you need to carry the laptop?

Yeah, I am considering that, too. It might be the best way to go. The idea of my seatpost snapping off while I am riding in my rubber britches seems REALLY Fred!

The only quick release ones I have seen are those seatpost ones and others have reported problems.

This is good to know.

Just a thought: What kind of a rack did you get? Maybe we can help you find what you want for it. If my kids had gotten me a rack for mother's day I would move heaven and hell to get a bag and trunk to fit the rack they picked out. They're grown now, and I have never regretted wearing Macaroni necklaces in public or using whatever they got me no matter what.

They gave it to me with the preface that they weren't sure what I wanted and that I could exchange it if need be. I love Macaroni necklaces too. Very UN-FRED!!!! Like wearing a queens crown. Makes all the other mom's jealous! Neener, neener, neener!

Not true. Old Man Mountain makes racks for any bike, whether they have braze ons or not.

Still don't know what a braze on is?

There's a very precise (and very low) torque spec for the seatpost clamp on a carbon bike, for instance. Who's going to give you a torque spec for the band clamps? Not the rack manufacturer - who probably couldn't even get the technical data they'd need, and in any case wouldn't be legally smart to take responsibility for a bike manufactured by someone else - and not the bike manufacturer, who will just tell you not to do it.

Good point.

Sounds like Flybye needs a touring bike to mount that rack on!

There is a really nice Surly in my size on craigslist as we speak.................. be quiet, voices in my head................... today WAS payday..................DH would never notice the extra bike in the garage............be QUIET..................The Natchez trail Women's Tour thread was so interesting, I'd love to do that someday on a nice touring bike.........AAAAAAHHHHHH!! My husband works at a Psychiatric Hospital as a pharmacist, where's that number???

I have an Axiom Laurentian bag that quickly un-Velcros and has a shoulder strap so I can take it with me. I also have the rack and I really like how it's designed. There's a Streamlined Carbon rack that you might want to take a look at. Axiom offers many styles and offers a lifetime guarantee.

Checking on that, too, sister!

I think getting a new seatpost (aluminum) will be the only way for you to use the rack trunk your charming family gave you.

I am thinking so too. I could fixer up in a snap (pun intended) with a little duct tape and a broom handle. Fred for sure.

There have been two racks posted here that don't involve braze-ons or seat posts. No bone shaker aluminum seat post needed.

for sure. There's that word again, braze-on, now bone shaker aluminum seat post, I understand. Talka' me language!

[Flybye]

Sorry to be such a page hog with that post -

[Blueberry]

Ohhh...Surly touring bike.....**drool**

[OakLeaf]

From Sheldon Brown:

Braze-on
A small fitting permanently attached to a frame. On traditional steel frames these attachments are held on by brazing, but the term "braze-on" is also used for fittings that are welded, glued, rivetted or moulded on to frames of other materials. Typical braze-ons would include cable stops and guides, water bottle cage mounts, shift lever bosses, cantilever brake bosses and cable stops, pump pegs, etc.

[uforgot]

There you go! Get the Surly! I have one and love it and I got it because I couldn't figure out the whole touring thing on my road bike. After that we'll talk you into a mixte. You can never have too many bikes!

[BeeLady]

A Tubis rack http://www.thetouringstore.com/ is a very lightweight rack. The "Fly" weighs almost nothing and is not very noticeable on the bike. My Ortlieb panniers fit it well and just clip on and off one-handed http://www.ortliebusa.com/

I leave my rack on my Volpe. And as far as a Surly goes . . . I am in love with my Big DummY!!!!!

[sundial]

Pssst, Fly......if you get a Big Dummy, I can hitch a ride and photograph your next ride. I'll be the Dude Girl and handle all your necessities.

[Flybye]

Here is the link to the Surly.

http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/bik/675805685.html

DH didn't say "no" but he sure rolled his eyes and laughed! He asked what I would do with my Specialized to which I said "get another bike to keep it company while the Surly and I are out doing our thing!"

Oakleaf - shoulda thought about Sheldon. I actually googled the term and came up with something a little wacko.

Sundial- We'd make a great Bonnie and Clyde! You can't expect me to do all of the work though!! Big Dummy my stinkin' .......................


Bee lady - I'll check out the tubis rack!

[KnottedYet]

Hmmm, that's my size.....
(kidding! actually I ride a 52cm)

Price isn't bad, and with new wheelset, pretty cool. LHT have the cute extra spoke holders on the chainstay.

If I ever buy another Surly, it'll probably be a LHT. (but I have 4 steel bikes right now, so it might be a while!)

[sundial]

Sundial- We'd make a great Bonnie and Clyde! You can't expect me to do all of the work though!! Big Dummy my stinkin' .......................

You're stronger than you think.