Rack to the Future & Luggage

[Lard Armstrong]

New job, new commute opportunity. I am bastardising my old MTB with slicks, for commuting duties, so I need your sage advice & recommendations on.

1) Rack for a non-disc MTB, to carry either a rack top bag and/or panniers.​

2) Suggestions on WATERPROOF (I'm thinking Ortlieb) rack top bag and panniers to go on the rack.​

3) The commute is 8 miles each way, any suggestions on either riding in a suit without changing, versus riding in cycling gear, showering, taking work clothes, etc. I am undecided.​

​

All help & insights gratefully received.

 

[fossyant]

Rack, Topeak super touriste.

Bags, ortlieb are very good.

Leave suit at work, cycle in cycle gear.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If you can shower at work then do so, this way you can ride in your cycling gear, be much more comfortable and knowing there is a shower at end of the ride you can push it.

I leave my trousers and shoes at work and take a clean shirt and underwear everyday. I use dry bags to carry everything in and then put them in a rucksack with a pack cover. I also have a wash kit that lives at work and take in spare deodorant, shower gel etc whenever I need it.

Even with panniers I would suggest everything goes into dry bags, the panniers will get absolutely filthy if you are riding in winter.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Good advice. I will have about 8 miles, pretty flat and I am waiting to hear if there are showers there. If not I will have to make do with cycling in work clothes somehow.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Rack, Topeak super touriste.

Bags, ortlieb are very good.

Leave suit at work, cycle in cycle gear.

Thanks for the advice, I bought one. Easy to fit, very sturdy.

Only issue is that unlike some other racks, there isn't a light bracket. There seems to be an additional light mount one can buy, but I can't see from the photo how it would work and if it is only for Topeak lights.

Any suggestions ?

 

[vickster]

I have a Topeak rack, with a light bracket fitted. I use a Smart light - you need a specific Smart bracket, £3

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...nitedKingdom&gclid=CIXC3q2b4LUCFaTMtAodKSAAyQ

 

[baldycyclist]

dont worry too much about shower at the other end
I dont when I cycle in (dont tell anyone)
Just a good shower with lots of smellies out on
Leave some deodour stuff at work along with your suit etc - my commute is 6 miles with hills so should be similar to yours
Just dont do boil in the bag and compete on the route and you should be fine
Take in some baby wipes for the arm pits and give a good spray.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Good advice all, thanks.

 

[baldycyclist]

+1 for Mort's advice

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Thanks Vickster, just bought one and fitted it.

Evidently the Topeak light bracket if for their own lights.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Also I bought a Carradice Bike Bureau, for the uninitiated consider them to be to bike luggage what Brooks is to saddles. It's a thing of beauty, very well made by hand in the UK, the label is signed by the person who made it and should last me a lifetime.

Thanks also to SJS who were very helpful and it arrived the next morning.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=type&product_id=64