Commuting - Quick Release Racks

Anyone using the quick release seatpost racks? I am thinking of changing out my present rack setup for a quick release rack with a trunk bag. Anyone tried this for commuting? I use my commuter bike as my Saturday bike as well so it is a real pain to pull the rack off the seatpost every Friday night.

I have a Topeak QR rack that I like quite well for its uses. I don't consider it a replacement for a good frame-mounted rack, though. It might work for your commuting, depending on how much stuff you are carrying. The problem with the QR racks is that they tend to sway like a pendulum if you overload them.

I commute with the Carradice SQR Tour bag. It is excellent. Room enough inside to carry change of clothes, lunch, etc. and has two handy outside pockets: I use one side for tools and tube...the other for raingear.

What I like best about it is that it is water proof and comes on and off the bike easily with the quick release (which is very stable). I haven't had any problem with it swaying back and forth or coming loose.

Further description and picture can be viewed here (http://www.wallbike.com/carradice/sqrbags.html)

Thanks Alphageek! That fits the bill perfectly! Next bike purchase (after I recover from the latest purchase) will be that bag I think.

Do be sure that you ride with enough seat post exposed to fit the bag. I can't use one on my road bike. I use a Topeak QR rack with Ortleib Mini panniers on my MTB. It is OK.

I am also using a Carradice SQR bag, the Slim model. If you sometimes need to carry file folder/looseleaf binder size stuff the Slim is a good choice because it is wider and designed for such items. The other two models are narrower and are basically the same size. They differ in materials and a couple of features. I bought the SQR and an extra seatpost block so I could quickly move the bag from one bike to another. Works great. In the US Carradice bags are available from wallbike.com and peterwhitecycles.com.

Jean is right. Check your seatpost exposure to make sure you have enough. The mounting block requires about 2.5 inches or so, but you'd best check the specks at one of the websites to make sure. And your seatpost needs to be round, not aero.

Thanks for the added feedback. I mostly just carry clothes and a lunch so I could get by with the touring model I think. This seems much more sensible a design than a rack and pannier for my daily commuting.

I just ordered a Topeak Deluxe Trunk Bag with the QR Beam Rack... (of corse before I read this thread) Anyway, I don't stand much on the commute, is the sway really a big problem?

I have the Topeak setup and if you load it up it does sway. With all my daily tools, snacks, and what not (I'm quessing 4-5 LBS.) it's fine. I have loaded it up (I'm quessing approx. 10 LBS.) and if I stand and pedal hard, it sways the bike. The rack doesn't move, but with the weight up high, you feel it. Regular Guy is exactly right in his post. I like the quick change from bike to bike and being able to take the bag off, so it is perfect for me.

Another Toppeak QR beam rack with expandable trunk user here. Have been using this as part of my touring setup and for commuting for over three years and am really happy with it. Really have to compliment Toppeak on the zippers on this bag , I cram the bag full, zip it open and closed at least six times a day and found they are virtually indestructable.

I find the "cooler" to work great as well. I put in a block of blue ice, a couple of 20oz gator-aids and some powerbars and it keeps em' cool for the whole ride :D

Glad to hear that it is a good system... I ride several diff. bikes and wanted the ability to swap the rack easily... I'll just be using it for basic tools, work shoes and a change of cloths (< 5 pounds) Anyway, I paid $90 for the QR rack/trunk combo and I feel like that was a fair deal if not necessarily the cheapest solution? I can't wait for it to show up :) I'm really getting tired of the sweaty back!

Here is a pic of it on my MTB-to-commuter conversion project. I just took this pic a few minutes ago. It's nice and sunny out so I thought I'd get a before the new fork pic.

Here is a pic of it on my MTB-to-commuter conversion project. I just took this pic a few minutes ago. It's nice and sunny out so I thought I'd get a before the new fork pic.

I was thinking of getting a Topeak BeamRack with one of their smaller sized trunks. But from this picture I wonder if it would fit. I have a 21" frame and would use the large size rack like you have in the picture (that angles down from the seatpost). But I have a wedge under my seat, and it seems like that wouldn't fit with the trunk attached.

Is that correct?

On my "bad weather" commuter (my touring bike), or when I need to carry a lot of stuff, I use a Carradice with the SQR mount.

On my "fair weather" commuter (my regular road bike), I use a bag similar to this:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47919272&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&addon=724932-724934&ext_cat=undefined

Check out the Detours (REI) seatpost rack. Very light weight and doesn't seem to have the "swing to the side" problem.

I have something much like the link gear provided. About a year ago I got this (http://www.klickfix.de/contourmagnum.htm) from Germany. I searched for quite a while for the same type of bag in the states and didn't find anything. The thing I like best about it is that the bag mounts or dismounts with no tools, and all that is left on the bike is a small plastic block on the back of the seatpost. Not a huge amount of storage, smaller than the rack trunk I have on another bike. It is just enough for a change of clothes and lunch.