Rack/trunk vs seat-post mounted bag

[blackhillsbiker]

I had a seatpost mount rack briefly. You'd be surprised at how quickly the weight adds up when you count the bag you use, and a few things you want to carry. It kept moving around even though it was as tight as it could go. And it felt unstable. I got a Topeak Explorer rack (built for disk brakes) and I love it. I don't notice it when I ride. It can take much more weight than a seatpost mount, and the bag doesn't get in the way of my saddle. YMMV.

Deb

PS If you really want to try a seatpost mount, I have a Bontrager I could send you.

[Catrin]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. If I try a seatpost bag then it will be the Detours High Tail ULP, I have read many good reviews of it and no bad ones. While nothing is perfect, that seems a good indication.

As far as your rack/bag is concerned. Do you have much clearance between rear wheel and saddle? Do you use a trunk or panniers? If you do use a trunk/bag on top of the rack rather than panniers, does it ever hit the wheel? What size wheels do you have?

[OakLeaf]

The other option for supported rides is a handlebar bag. For stability reasons, you don't want to put a lot of weight up there; but on a supported ride, mainly you'll want a map pocket, a SMALL camera, arm and knee warmers, a change of eye protection (clear or amber vs. dark lenses), maybe a change of gloves (fingerless vs. FF), and a little bit of whatever food or supplements you need in addition to what the ride provides. Reading glasses, if you're my age. Keep it under 3#. A map pocket is really nice to have, especially if you don't have GPS.

[Kathi]

I had a seatpost mount rack briefly. You'd be surprised at how quickly the weight adds up when you count the bag you use, and a few things you want to carry. It kept moving around even though it was as tight as it could go. And it felt unstable. I got a Topeak Explorer rack (built for disk brakes) and I love it. I don't notice it when I ride. It can take much more weight than a seatpost mount, and the bag doesn't get in the way of my saddle. YMMV.

Deb

PS If you really want to try a seatpost mount, I have a Bontrager I could send you.

I put a thin piece of rubber between the mount and my seatpost as recommended by Detours. Holds my bag in place nicely and keeps the mount from scratching my seatpost.

[Dannielle]

I use a rack and a trunk-bag. The bag sits behind the seat, not under it...so no clearance is needed.

I also have some inexpensive panniers that are one piece...the whole thing drapes over the rack and I can attach my trunk-bag over it (there are holes in the panniers for my trunk-bag's straps to go through and attach to the rack).

I much prefer the trunk bag to a smaller under-seat bag. I'm not concerned with weight though. I ride away from civilization, through a nature preserve, and feel more secure if I have provisions for a myriad of situations.

These are the panniers I have-
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...7_10000_200350

[moonfroggy]

i have a rack trunk and i like it a lot. i also sometimes ride with just one pannier and you have to get used to the one sided weight but that can be done as well. i have a grocery pannier that i use for groceries and mail and it works fine but i plan to eventually get a second pannier to even out the weight. the rack trunk definitely holds a lot less but when i need less space and want it enclosed better than the open top grocery pannier then it works great! i also have been known to attach handle bar bags to my rack as small panniers and that works well for small things.

[NbyNW]

Trunk + rack is probably more versatile in the long run -- perhaps at some point in the future you might want to use panniers, and you won't need to worry about additional hardware.

That said, I have the Detours High Tail ULP and it has worked very well for me. Had a few early episodes where it was probably mounted a bit too low, and it brushed against my rear tire coming out of a bump (there are skid marks on the bottom to show for it!), but I have had no problems since I moved it up.

Things I put in it: wallet, cell phone, sunscreen, chapstick, lock(s), key(s), tire levers, spare tubes, bike tools, snacks, camera, asthma meds. It carries a good amount of stuff but I do have to decide what's essential.

There are times when I wish I had a rack on my bike and there are times when I'm glad I don't have one. Go figure.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the comments, it is always interesting to read different perspectives. It does sound like the rack/trunk combination might be better for the long-term. I like the idea of things going closed in.

I do not tend to go on many supported rides, I am generally out in the country by myself where there isn't anything outside of corn. And trees. Even on supported rides I take my own food - as a diabetic I am very picky about what I eat.

I can always get panniers later on should I need them.

Thanks!

[Dannielle]

Sounds like we ride similarly. I could never fit all that I need to carry inside a bag that goes on the back of the seat. I carry stuff for first aid (quite a bit...I've crashed 15 miles from anything and was made aware of how much stuff I would have liked to have handy), repair, getting caught in a rainstorm...food, bug spray, even bottles of extra water...cell phone, headphones (I don't ride on roads), keys, wallet. That all fits in my trunk pack if I arrange it carefully.

If there aren't stores around and it's a long trek for someone to come rescue you, you have to be a little extra prepared.

The panniers are handy for longer trips including the overnighters I plan to do in the future.