Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Are all seatpost racks created equal?

I need to mount a seatpost rack on my road bike. I has eyelets, but the seatstays are configured in such a way that I cannot imagine how a rack would clamp on. It's basically a single stay right to the brake, and then it splits into two stays. Makes me wonder what the heck the eyelets are for, since there's zero clearance for fenders.

Assuming that a normal rack won't fit, I'm looking at a seatpost rack. Some (like the Ascent) are $10, and others (like the Topeak QR) are $35-40. Other than the quick release on the Topeak, what justifies the extra $? I like Topeak's stuff, but I hesitate to spend the extra money unless there's a really compelling reason why it's better than a $10 rack.

Anyone have a seatpost rack they like? My seatpost is Carbon, if that makes a difference.

It sounds like your bike has a wishbone seatstay. Are there threaded holes on the sides of the single tube between the brake and the seat tube? If so, then that is where you should be able to mount a conventional rack. You may need to get creative bending the supports, but you can probably get it on there.

However, unless you plan to keep the rack on permanently (or remove it infrequently) a seatpost rack may be agood choice. I would be sure to get one with a quick release so it's easy to get on and off. Keep in mind that the seatpost racks usually have about a 20 pound weight limit.

I believe that some, if not all, of Topeak's beam racks are designed to take their rack trunk using a quick release mechanism. This mechanism probably also adds to the cost. You aren't limited to using the Topeak trunk.

I don't know about the carbon seatpost. I would definitely check the instructions for the rack before buying one. You can probably read Topeak's mounting instructions online.

I've heard various opinions on using seatpost racks with carbon seatposts. I have a carbon seatpost and personally I wouldn't use a seatpost rack with it. I've been on a few rides this year with others who have seatpost racks and I have noticed that the racks aren't all that sturdy. I've seen them jiggle and swing enough to convice me not to use one with my carbon seatpost.

At the link below and about half way down the page you will find the type of rack that should bolt to your bike. This is a Canadian site but will give you an idea.

http://www.brauns.com/gc/gc_catalog.exe?F=H&K=Catalog%3ABike%20Stuff%3AAccessories%3ACarriers%20%26%20Racks%3ARear%20Frame%20Mounted%20Racks%20-%20Regular&B=&R=H%2FCatalog%3ABike%20Stuff%3AAccessories%3ACarriers%20%26%20Racks&SN=08200941221421541196740&FF=H&FK=Catalog:Bike%20Stuff:Accessories:Carriers%20&%20Racks&Z9=0

fifty5 - which rack - the Axiom Odysse suspension rack? I purchased a regular Odyssee and a Journey last year for a C&O Canal trip ride with the Scouts. The Axiom racks are OK - their best feature seems to be a good amount of flexibility in mounting them far enough rearwards on an MTB (short chainstay) to avoid heelstrike. The tubing is larger gauge than a lot of regular racks; this can be a problem getting some panniers to fit. Ironically, the Axiom panniers have this problem - I was able to make them work, but the pannier latching mechanism is really designed for a rack with thinner diameter tubing.

I'm back to a nothing special Blackburn rear rack on my MTB/commuter (ceiling hook pulled out and the rack broke taking the force of the fall of the bike!). The axiom panniers fit fine.

To danimal123 - I would not use a seat post rack with a carbon seatpost. I sometimes use my road bike as a commuter and have a clamp on rack (not quick release) from Nashbar with pannier brackets. It has to clamped on very tight to keep from twisting, but it is stable even with just one pannier mounted. I'd get a cheap metal seatpost for when you are going to use the rack. Looking at the accessories page at

http://www.brauns.com/gc/gc_catalog.exe?F=H&K=Catalog%3ABike%20Stuff%3AAccessories%3ACarriers%20%26%20Racks%3AAccessories%20%26%20Options&B=&R=H%2FCatalog%3ABike%20Stuff%3AAccessories%3ACarriers%20%26%20Racks&SN=08200941221421541196740&FF=H&FK=Catalog:Bike%20Stuff:Accessories:Carriers%20&%20Racks&Z9=0

I see an alternative - get what I believe are called "P" clips (Delta calls them stay mount clamps) which provide mount points without eyelets and use a regular rack.

EDIT: The aebike catalog seems to have a better selection than brauns:
Racks: http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=catalog&Category=24&type=C

I purchased my Axiom racks and panniers from them last year and would buy from them again. END EDIT

I was recently on a BikeVermont tour - one of the tour leaders had a seat post rack on her custom TI bike; the bag looked like either a topeak or cannondale rack trunk with integral side backs. The bag clamped onto the rack and it was a very effective setup (given the van was carrying all the bulky gear).

I need to mount a seatpost rack on my road bike. I has eyelets, but the seatstays are configured in such a way that I cannot imagine how a rack would clamp on. It's basically a single stay right to the brake, and then it splits into two stays. Makes me wonder what the heck the eyelets are for, since there's zero clearance for fenders.

Assuming that a normal rack won't fit, I'm looking at a seatpost rack. Some (like the Ascent) are $10, and others (like the Topeak QR) are $35-40. Other than the quick release on the Topeak, what justifies the extra $? I like Topeak's stuff, but I hesitate to spend the extra money unless there's a really compelling reason why it's better than a $10 rack.

Anyone have a seatpost rack they like? My seatpost is Carbon, if that makes a difference.

On ever one of the seat post mounted company websites, it says to not mount them to a carbon seatpost. Look at the Topeak documentation on their site for the rack. Says it right there. I've got a Blackburn rack on my carbon road bike. It worked fine. Had to rig it a little, but it is much safer than a seatpost type as the weight isn't on the seatpost. The seatpost tie is just for stability, the weight is on the vertical arms.

Knobster, how'd you get that to stay at your dropouts?

How dangerous would it be to get one that mounts on say, the quick release axle?

http://oldmanmountain.com/