Recommend me a Pannier rack

[Jayfish]

I'm turning my Trek 1.1 into an all weather commuter, it has rack and mudguard mounting points.
Also if anyone has a pannier recommendation it's be welcome too, don't need massive capacity, just room for clothing, shoes and a lunchbox.

[pembo]

I have a Hamax Plus light carrier, not sure where the light comes from because it feels pretty weighty to me but the positive is that this also means it feels very sturdy on the bike, good job too because I connect the child seat to it.

I also use it for panniers to go to work, I use Loox bags, not too expensive, seem hard wearing and double up as a messenger bag/satchel when you get to places so you're not carrying an obvious bike bag about with you. I've used mine to carry all manner of things over the last year and been surprised how much they can carry. I'm also thinking about touring for a week with them next year and I'm sure they will fit everything I need.

[JPJ]

Try looking at something like the Carradice SQR Slim saddle bag. Considerably lighter than a rack and panniers, and I find it far less obvious when riding with it. If you're not using the bag, the mounting bracket is light and unobtrusive.

It will easily take a laptop and some clothes/lunch and costs less than a rack and reasonable panniers.

I used a rack/panniers for the best part of a year, and moving to one of these was a revelation.

[Jayfish]

Thanks will look at both of those.
Does the carradice leave ample room for seat post mounted lights? (I have about 6" of seatpost showing)

[Disco You]

I have one of these. It is the absolute business:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/t...

The mounting is super adjustable which makes life easy for setting it up. The extra side rails for panniers mean that your panniers sit a little lower than most racks, which is great for weight balance, and also means that you have loads of room on the top of the rack for stuff.

[ewenm]

I've got a Tubus Fly and use some Ortlieb panniers. Seem to work well.

[nammynake]

Can recommend the Topeak - mine has been faultless:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-super-tourist-dx-re...

Edited by nammynake on Monday 19th May 21:10

[Barchettaman]

+1 for the Tubus Fly.

I have one on my Cyclocross commuter, it works well, I normally use front panniers on it.
I extended it up and out a bit with the Tubus brackets to avoid heel strike.

The SKS Longboard mudguards are great and clear my favourite Conti Sportcontact 700/28 tyres (just).

Think carefully about your choice of pannier. Some of the new combo rucksack/pannier ones look terrific. The altura morph versa, for example.

[Usget]

I have an anti-recommendation. Don't get the Abus panniers from Decathlon. Stupidly-designed hateful pieces of crap.

[JPJ]

The Carradice has a loop for putting a light on the bag of the bag, which means it has a much better chance of being seen than mounted underneath it on the seat post.

I also run a small flashing light on the rear drive side seat stay.

[Jayfish]

Ok lots to wade through thanks chaps.

[matt 74]

Got a choice of decent panniers that are new and unused if of interest, what sort of thing are you looking for?

[matt 74]

Got a choice of decent panniers that are new and unused if of interest, what sort of thing are you looking for?

[Jayfish]

matt 74 said:

Got a choice of decent panniers that are new and unused if of interest, what sort of thing are you looking for?

Still wading through the options, liking the look of ones with separate side rails for a bit more versatility on top, don't need anything load bearing as it's likely to never have more than 10Kg on it and keeping the weight down is always a plus.
Hunting through all the suggested ones is on tomorrows to-do.
Maybe chuck me a PM with what you have?