Panniers on road bike

bice

I have refused to put a pannier rack on my road bikes (a Trek alu-carbon frame and a vintage Lazzaretti steel frame), as the frames are not designed for them and they look horrible. But I like panniers and use them everyday on my flatbar commuter (which began life as a ladies steel frame racing bike).

Then I saw these easy-to-remove pannier racks that come off the seat post and don't attach to the frame at all.

Both my seat posts are alloy and quite strong (and round), and there are times when a pannier would be very useful - such as overnights. You can only get 12-15 kilos in the panniers, apparently. They would certainly beat a larger rucksack.

Does anyone have experience of these? There would obviously be additional strain on the downtube from the seat post, with some weight swaying about at the back. But my guess is that this would be manageable. Best of all, it can all be taken off when not needed.

Flamez

Yeah seen those, they sell a pannier rack in Tescos that clamps to the seat post, hand if you just want to use now and then.

Evil Laugh

I've got a topeak mtx dxp rack/bag/seatpost thing that I plan to cycle through France with.

Works very well and I don't really notice it there unless I get out of the saddle and give it some in which case it feels awful. I'm more of a high cadence spinner anyway so that doesn't bother me for what is a relaxed social trip.

_jon_

I decided on a seat-post mounted rack for my commuting bike.



The main reason was that it was half the weight of a proper rack, I only use it to carry my lunch, it can be fairly easily removed, and I think it looks better in a way.

The only problem I've had is that I have since raised by saddle and put my seat back. I can now feel the bag on the back of my thighs as I peddle. Not a major issue though.

malcolmfrost

I used the Topeak beam rack on my road bike to ride through France last year and it was fine, you only really notice it when out of the saddle, but even then it's OK.

alwaystoohot

Jeez Jon, how many meat pies have you got their mate? :P

dilemna

Panniers or seat post racks are not a good idea on road bikes that don't have bosses on the frames to take them. But each to his own. A seat post rack is not the brightest really as the seat post is probably one of the more stressed components of the bike without adding more stress by tightly clamping something to it. Plus loading luggage on it means the CoG is pretty high compromising handling and manouevrability. But as I say each to their own.

morstar

Dilemma, I agree that a seat post rack is adding stress but the question is, is it adding excessive stress. In the picture above, the rack is clamped at the base of the exposed post with probably a good 6-8 inches of post within the down tube. The lever arm is relatively low. You need to bear in mind that a seat post is designed to carry all shapes and sizes of rider so is pretty tough.
As for the handling. Riding with racks and panniers always does effect handling but it is perfectly manageable. The cog of the bike has been raised but the cog of bike + rider has actually been lowered although shifted backwards a little.
You will notice the handling difference most when you stand on the pedals and move the bike around independently of your body but with your bum planted on the seat the handling is much less compromised.

alwaystoohot

Depends on teh weight being carried. Too many meat pies = tears.

chadders81

Anyone got a link for one of these?

bice

Here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

chadders81

Not convinced by the seat post racks to be honest. They won't carry much at all and, as stated above, handling is going to get sketchy.

Got 25 litre panniers and would like to fill them ideally.

Want to tour this summer but I'll leave the road bike at home and take the hybrid for a final trip before selling it.

Butterd2

I used a Topeak MTX on my CR-1 (carbon frame and carbon post) riding across Belgium on the cobbles and no problems. I did have to pack light though and was probably only carrying 5-7kgs.