Seat-post Beam Rack vs Proper Pannier Rack

[EasyPeez]

I fear I know the answer to this already, but as a commuter carrying waterproofs, wallet, phone, keys, lunch, a bit of paperwork and very occasionally a laptop, could I get away with a seat-post rack and panniers?

I'll be getting myself a new bike sometime before xmas, in the £800-900 range, probably road or quick hybrid, and would like the versatility of a seat-post rack so that I can whip it off for some fun rides on the Wolds, rather than having the time-consuming job of taking a pannier rack on and off all the time, or putting up with it being a permanent feature.

But I'm guessing the seat-post racks are less sturdy and not suitable for the heavier items I sometimes need to carry?

Cheers.

 

[potsy]

They are limited weight wise so you'd have to travel fairly light anyway, I have one on my road bike which stays on most of the time for commuting duty.
A proper rack is only a 5 minute job to take off if you want to, I occasionally do this on the CX bike that has a 'proper' rack fitted

 

[MisterStan]

^^^^ What he said. My rack has four allen bolts - 2 minutes to whip them off/pop them back on again and you're done.

 

[cyberknight]

Seat post racks are ok for light loads but be aware they tend to hold the weight a little higher so it can sway a bit on corners and affect handling when out of the saddle.I much prefer a normal rack if i can .
Why would you want to tack the rack off ? i do winter club runs on my commuter and just leave the rack on .

 

[raleighnut]

I'd have a look at the Topeak rack/bag system, most of the bags and racks are interchangeable/ compatible and the fixed racks take my BIG Carradice panniers along with a Topeak top bag. Bit pricey but very good quality so they end up VFM.

 

[cosmicbike]

I have both, fixed on the hybrid, post mount on the MTB. Both are the Topeak MTX type. The post mount is fine for the weekly bread run, but is only rated to 9kg which may be a little low for commuting. I removed the Q/R as I wanted to keep the rack, so as others have said, fit a proper one and undo a few bolts now and then, much better suited.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

4 allen key bolts (and I use some tap washers to protect the paint work) and the pannier rack is off. It doesn't take much time at all...

 

[MisterStan]

My rack has four allen bolts - 2 minutes to whip them

4 allen key bolts (and I use some tap washers to protect the paint work) and the pannier rack is off. It doesn't take much time at all...

*Cough*

 

[Pale Rider]

A dedicated pannier bag rack is narrow and, you may think, neat and light enough to be left on the bike.

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p24700/To...er-Rack.aspx?gclid=CMbpkfbn1MECFWXnwgodw2UAcQ

 

[EasyPeez]

Well, that all sounds pretty conclusive, thanks everyone! I'll take a look at those Topeak systems mentioned. It'll come down to what my chosen dealer stocks that's compatible with my bike choice though as I'll be getting them fitted by the dealer so as to include them in my C2W voucher.

It used to take me a good 15-20 mins to get the pannier rack off my MTB, but now I think about it that's probably because it wasn't really compatible with the bike and so getting to the (non-allen key) bolts with pliers and screwdrivers involved some right contortions! Sounds like it'll be a much simpler job with a proper compatible rack and an allen key set up. Cheers :-)

 

[vickster]

Once you've factored in the weight of the bag, on a seat post rack you have about 5kg to play with, not a lot when a full size laptop is 2kg plus

Just leave it on (unless you are getting carbon bike, then they aren't really fixable)

Topeak system, slide on bag with fold out panniers, fantastic kit. Probably £100 full price from an LBS for rack and bag (£70-80 online)