help picking a rear rack

[mstone]

@KayakCyndi 113177 wrote:

Why would I ever need one of those? I’ve done week long tours with no front rack with no problem. I’d rather go lighter anyway. I suppose if I ever find myself with three months free and a country to ride across I might reconsider but until then no need.

The detailed answer is that I prefer weight distributed between the front & rear of the bike rather than all on the back. There’s also a question of volume as opposed to weight: I could fit as much stuff on the back as I can on the back+front, but I’d look like I was fleeing the German army. This becomes especially relevant when camping with the kids, when I’m carrying all the stuff for multiple people.

The point, though, was not to quibble about what works for you but to agree with the original point that there’s no such thing as a bike that does everything. You can decide you just don’t care about some things, and that’s great, but that’s a “bike that’s a good compromise for me” rather than a “bike that excels at everything”.

[Crickey7]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8284[/ATTACH]

It can be done.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Tania 113168 wrote:

I just saw a bicycle cop in DC with a rack attached to his seat post so I stopped and chatted with him about it. Turns out this wasn’t his usual bike, which has a frame mounted rack. He said he prefers the frame mounted rack because the seat post rack interferes with his leg as he gets on the bike, it moves from side to side (it really did! The clamp was loose) and that they’ve had issues with the attachment snapping. All of which could be mitigated I guess but I’m glad I stopped and asked him.

Anyway, a second backpack really is the best choice for me, right now. Biking is not a way of life for me yet, it isn’t my primary sport and I can’t have it interfere with my primary sport – so having a dedicated, tricked-out commuter bike in a stable full of other bikes isn’t realistic. Which isn’t to say I don’t WANT 11 bikes but then I also want an Audi RS7 even though I drive like a granny. What I can USE is a bike that lets me do commuting, coffee rides, the occasional rolling hills ride (ugh) and eventually at some point I’ll do one of Dirt’s gravel rides (it is a cross bike after all). I understand that a jack of all trades bike that excels at it all isn’t realistic but I’m ok with that (for now).

Not ruling out adding a rack at some point. I’m glad I posted this though, I’ve now got lots of options!

I have six bikes, all of which I use for commuting, and two of which are primarily “utility” bikes (one for pulling a trailer, one is my fendered all-weather bike). I own one rack, and it has been sitting on a shelf for probably two years…if I need to haul more, I take the cargo bike (aka Metrobus). But regardless of aesthetics, which honestly is a big reason why I avoid racks, I just prefer to have the weight on my back, since then I don’t feel like my bike is heavy and unbalanced.

[sethpo]

I switched from backpack to rack last year and, like Steve O, never looked back. My only problem now is I have too much cargo space between two panniers or one pannier and a trunk bag. My collection of crap that I carry seems to have suffered a serious case of mission creep. And yet when I go through it every other week trying to figure out how to ditch some of the excess weight I end up just keeping everything. Who wants to get caught on the road without a 36 function multi tool, a not-so-mini pump, extra pocket change, several CO2 cartridges, and what can only be described as “other essential items”. Ugh. I may just be a bikepacking horder. More space = more stuff.

I blame you, Steve O!!!

The only upside is when I get off my 30lb commuting wagon and climb on my road bike I feel I can fly. So…training. Yeah. It’s all just training. For something. I dunno.

TL;DR Go w/ the backpack if you don’t mind the sweat or go with the rack if you want to carry too much stuff. Also, just blame Steve O regardless.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@sethpo 113198 wrote:

My collection of crap that I carry seems to have suffered a serious case of mission creep.

To me, this is exactly why one should use a backpack. I’d prefer less, or lighter things than more and usually heavier things to drag back and forth to work.

Another thought to keep in mind, too, is that adding front low-boy racks and pannys usually has less detrimental effect to the handling of the bike. sometimes adding a porteur style rack and bag in combination with a trunk style bag is enough storage room to equal most backpacks.

[Steve O]

@sethpo 113198 wrote:

I blame you, Steve O!!!

Also, just blame Steve O regardless.

Careful! I still have your bicycle icicle, and I will hold it hostage unless you recant.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Homeless Shawn is pleased to make an appearance on this thread.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 113209 wrote:

Homeless Shawn is pleased to make an appearance on this thread.

Homeless? Did that carbon road bike you started building in secret finally push you over the S-1 limit?

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dkel 113216 wrote:

Homeless? Did that carbon road bike you started building in secret finally push you over the S-1 limit?

See Cyndi’s photo bombed pic above.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 113218 wrote:

See Cyndi’s photo bombed pic above.

Oh, that. You don’t look homeless, just very badly dressed.

[Steve O]

@dkel 113229 wrote:

Oh, that. You don’t look homeless, just very badly dressed.

I guess that’s why it was so unremarkable.

[dcv]

@KayakCyndi 113174 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8282[/ATTACH]

great pic except for creepy dread photobomb

[ShawnoftheDread]

She was actually photo bombing me. I was standing there, the photographer was facing me, and all of a sudden Cyndi zooms into the shot, all smiles and hair and crazy socks.

[rcannon100]

2 cents: I love my rack. I love taking the weight off my back. Make the metal thingy on the back of the bicycle take the abuse. Your spine you will need at least most of your life.

Racks can be attached and removed. Ortlieb and other bags are most so excellent and easy to use.

[mstone]

I’m vaguely amused by the “I don’t want my bike to feel heavy” meme. Like, why would I want my self to feel heavy instead of the bike? If I don’t want the machine to help me, I might as well just jog there.

[Author]

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