Panier or oversized saddle bag?

cmm303

I commute (sometimes) 10 miles each way on my mountain bike using a 25l rucksack for my clobber.

My back is agony, and very sweaty, after about 8 uphill miles so I want to shift that load to the bike. However I am reluctant to fit a carrier as I also use this bike for recreational off road biking. I already have to change over the tyres and want to keep further changes to a minimum.

My clobber probably fits into 15l (trousers, shirt, towel, sandwiches, phone, cycle repair kit, lunch, paclite waterproof ... and shoes if am not organised).

I have spent hours searching but with little success so can anybody recommend a solution?

wyadvd

top peak to a trunk bag with 'panniers ' that fold down each side. I have one. I wish i had paid a fiver extra for the waterproof version. Topeak also sell a rack that hooks onto yor seat post witha quick release clamp. The 'system' has a cool slide on fixing so you can take the bag off really quck on arrival. I like it . Mountings for lights on the back of it too. Rack acts as a mud guard!

wyadvd

stick 'topeak mtx' into google shopping.

wyadvd

its the mtx beam rack e type you need. I have a fully mounted topeak tourer pannier rak, but that woud fit your bill imo

tomb353

I use a carrdice cadet saddle bag. Looks like the next size up would suit you:

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?pa ... gory_id=24

If you don't have a saddle with saddle bag loops (brooks) then there are a coupe of different attachments that carradice make that let you mount it to a normal saddle or seatpost.

Unless you buy a quick release bracket it can be a faff to take on and off the bike, but what i do is just have a stuff bag inside which I take out leaving the carradice on the bike. Works for me, no bad back and no need to mount a rack.

cmm303

Thank you for the couple of pointers. I saw the Topeak mtx rack in Halfords and was dismayed at the combined cost of bag and rack. Nevertheless it did look like a viable solution.
Now I have the Carradice to compare it with so am very grateful, thank you.

AndyManc

Rear rack and panniers ..... I've tried all of the above solutions and 'real' panniers come out tops for me, easily.

.

Zombie_donkey

For days when you can travel light I recommend a handlebar bag, like the 10ltr Halfords one. It has a handle and a quick release. I carry a small socket set and other essential tools in the front pocket and can get lunch in the main compartment and I keep a change of clothes at work.

cmm303

AndyManc wrote:

Rear rack and panniers ..... I've tried all of the above solutions and 'real' panniers come out tops for me, easily..

I have no doubt that you are right but I need to be able to switch my bike easily between off-road fun machine and commuter. Can you suggest rear racks that are quick and easy to take off/on?

Awkward, aren't I?

AndyManc

cmm303 wrote:

AndyManc wrote:

Rear rack and panniers ..... I've tried all of the above solutions and 'real' panniers come out tops for me, easily..

I have no doubt that you are right but I need to be able to switch my bike easily between off-road fun machine and commuter. Can you suggest rear racks that are quick and easy to take off/on?

Awkward, aren't I?

Is it necessary to remove a rear rack when going off road ?

Many racks are lightweight so that won't be a problem, if you are just doing off road for fun and not competition I would leave it on, I occasionally take my hard-tail off road, it has a rear carrier and I don't have any issues with it.

If it really is necessary to remove it then go for the Topeak option, I think I have the MTX version for my hardtail (before I fitted a full rear rack), they do a decent job and can carry the essentials.

.

cmm303

AndyManc wrote:

Is it necessary to remove a rear rack when going off road ?.

Your question challenges an assumption I was making. :idea:

I work on the basis, the less I have on the bike, the less there is to bend. I don't have a wonderful record when the going gets rough! I would also be worried about it getting in the way when moving over the back of the saddle on steep descents/drops.

tiny_pens

Don't know what your definition of easy to remove is but my rack is held by 4 allen key bolts. I would have thought that I could remove it in about 60-90 seconds.

I have a waist pack which is about 10 - 15L. Fits tin of soup, shirt, trousers and underwear comfortably but wouldn't also hold shoes (I leave a pair in the office all the time so I don't have that problem). Its not waterproof but only cost me £15. Might be worth considering?

Incidently I don't use my rack anymore because it makes the bike feel a bit slow. YMMV.

davis

Minimize the stuff you take to work. I don't know the standards of sartorial elegance required at your place, but why not get a cheap (~10 quid) pair of shoes which you can leave at work. I've also got a travel towel which packs down smaller than a deck of cards and does (just about) do the job; it starts to smell quite quickly though.

Trousers and shirts are a little more tricky....
Ultimately, this is looking like you absolutely need another bike. I can't see another way round it.

cmm303

LOL. Lots of ideas, thank you everyone.
I have nearly trained myself with the shoe thing. Clobber I have minimised, even as far as having a 2nd phone charger at work. Stopped karting my laptop etc. around! Greedy pig, so breakfast, lunch and fruit take up space - and work out in the sticks miles from any stores. Another bike ... seriously wondered , employer refuses to participate in the cycle to work scheme so always on the look out for a used deal.

cmm303

In case a report on the final outcome is useful.... I found a reasonably priced aluminium disc-compatible carrier cheaper than Top Peak and to which I mount an Altura waterproof side panier.

I am so much more comfortable cycling, no excruciating back pain after 8 miles and no sweaty back and rucsack. I am also free from worries about rain wrecking my worldly goods.

Once I have mounted the reflector and light bracket on the carrier, as a contributor pointed out, I am just 4 easy bolts away from removing all road clobber (except tyres!). Very nearly as easy as removing the mud guard that I previously used.

A happy outcome. Thanks everyone.

The Rookie

There are any number of seatpost mounted racks if you aren't going to heavy, one/2 bolts and its off, easy to aline, no fiddling, go on the bay and get some cheap panniers as well and you're sorted!

Simon

emdeef

The Carradice SQR range is another option. I have used an SQR Slim on my commuter for a couple of years and it has been fine. It attaches via a block mounted on your seatpost.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/products/type/sqrtour