Pannier or Rack Bag

Skippy2309

Just took the plunge and got a Rack for my Commuter as I am picking up the CAAD9 tomorrow. I really do need the rack as the rucksack is P'ing me off now, just get too bleeding hot, plus everything moves in it while riding :evil:

Just ordered the Topeak Rack its a frame mounted one not the seatpost version, purely because I like that I can carry more weight if needed.

I am thinking of either getting a topeak Rack bag (with extendable panniers eg: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topea ... 360043342/ ), or a pair of Pannier bags. the Rack has the slot for the topeak rack bags which I think is good. Just a bit unsure on what Size I will need.

It will need to be able to hold 5 x Shirts, 2 x Trousers, Boots, Lock, etc, The idea of the extendable one is that I can bring everything in on Monday then just fold them up and carry all the other bits like Lunch, Phone, wallet, etc

prawny

I think (i use a 12l rack bag style seatpost bag) that rack bags are better in cross winds, i tried a pannier for a while didn't like it as much and it seemed to slow me down a bit.
Also with panniers because you can load it up with loads of crap you do, with a smaller pack you don't carry extra weight you don't need.

cyberknight

Until you have a roadside emergency repair you do not have the tool for :shock:

Its up to you really i run with 2 panniers for commuting but i carry tools,spare tubes,pump,clothes,sandwiches, waterproofs etc.

With rack packs the contents get a lot more road vibration as i have found when i used to bungee a back pack with handles cut off to top of the rack, many a day i had mushy bananas.

Skippy2309

So a vote either side so far... going to have to take a trip to a shop so I can see what size the topeak rack bags are in the flesh.

Thanks for the help guys. why cant these things ever be easy :P

lost_in_thought

I would just go for the panniers if I were you - I can't see you finding a rack bag that will hold enough stuff for the monday run without you having to crease up all your clothes for the week.

You can get a rubber bungee net for the rack, for about £5, and then not take the panners unless you've something big to carry and just pop your lunch on the top of the rack.

wyadvd

i have the topeak rack on my hybrib.

use the topeak trunk bag for all my bike stuff and mount all my rear lights on it (redeye, handgranade, mars)

I also have a pair of ortleibs in red padded out with newspaper to make me seem as wide as possibel just to be cussid really

wyadvd

the topeak rack bag is handy because it has some faux pannier bags on the side. trouble is when they are extended , you cant take the trunk bag off and carry it very elgantly. so i have trunk bag (panniers folded up ) and a nice chunky pair of ortliebs also.

prawny

cyberknight wrote:

Until you have a roadside emergency repair you do not have the tool for :shock:

Its up to you really i run with 2 panniers for commuting but i carry tools,spare tubes,pump,clothes,sandwiches, waterproofs etc.

I use this



I carry a lunch box, tools, spare tubes, waterproofs, wallet, shirt, undies, socks, phone, patches, tyre levers, and a cap, and that's without expanding the extra 2 litres. I can also fit 3 packs of fig rolls in one jersey pocket.

I do have panniers and I can see the appeal if you can't leave things like shoes and trousers at work. But even if you take a weeks worth of stuff panniers on monday you've still got the rack on your bike for the rest of the week which would weigh half a kilo or so.

I do have to pack carefully though and have a long commute, if I wasn't going so far I wouldn't mind have panniers just to lob stuff in and get going.