Commuting - Decisions, Decisions...

I have been trying to commute to class every day with a backpack stuffed with books. It's not the most comfortable feeling and my back gets sweaty -- so I have been considering a rear rack and bag. I am really inexperienced with these things, and have been doing "some" research, and have come up with this:
Rack (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=112&subcategory=1079&brand=&sku=17030&storetype=estore&estoreid=700&pagename=Estore%20by%20Subcat:%20Under%2020%20Sale-Racks)

Bag (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1005&brand=&sku=14177&storetype=estore&estoreid=700&pagename=Estore%20by%20Subcat:%20Under%2020%20Sale-Rack%20Trunk%20Bags)

Will this bag fit on this rack?
I am currently using a Miyata 512 with 700 wheels and will be switching to an old Schwinn World Traveller w/ 27" wheels -- will the rack fit on my bike(s) [both bikes have eyelets on the rear dropout, but that's it... I've heard of using p-clips to secure the rack below the seat]? Any suggestions or info or advice is greatly appreciated!

a) The bag looks like it should fit fine.

b) I just bought that same rack myself, and while it seems like a nice rack, you need to be aware that Nashbar ships it with a distinct lack of hardware. It doesn't come with the p-clamps (unlink pretty much every rack I've seen in the stores), and chances are that the bolts it ships with are too short to mount the rack to your eyelets. This is nothing that a trip to Home Depot can't fix, but it is annoying. Also, the rack shipped without the hooks/loops that you use to help secure panniers with. I haven't seen if Home Depot carries anything like those, but I'll be looking soon.

thanks for the quick feedback!
i changed the link to a different bag after realizing the one i picked wasn't waterproof/resistent... but now I can't make up my mind... i'm going to need something with a shoulder strap so i can take it off and use for a bookbag after arriving to class [it's going to be parked outside so theft is a concern]. you know, something snap on/off easy and cheap... hehe. any suggestions/recommendations?

My suggestions is a Topeak rack and bag. The attachment mechanism for Topeak bags on thier racks is quick and easy to use. Its a quick release so you can remove your bag and be on your way in no time. I found undoing the four velcro straps on a traditional rack trunk to be annoying if you are doing it multiple times a day.
Craig

My suggestion...rack and milk crate. Not very cool but it works VERY well. Pack backpack same as you do now, throw lock in crate, drop bag on top of lock, get to destination, pull out backpack, lock bike, off you go.

Downside: Looks dorky.

I usually just bungie-cord my regular backpack to the rack. Two bungies, crossed over and attached below the rack hold the bag secure to the rack, fenders keep general spray off - if it rains I stick the pack in a garbage bag before attaching.

There are some panniers that convert to backpack.
Here's one from Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=66&subcategory=1004&brand=&sku=9036&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20Panniers) though it's kind of big; more of a hiking daypack.

You may also look into Axiom racks. They tend to be VERY strong (mine is rated at a 150lb capacity) but I don't know if they would attach properly without mounting points on your seat stays.

thanks! some great ideas there...
i even read about attaching a lockable tool box to the rear rack...
i'm going to try the nashbar deluxe rack trunk and see how it works for me...
if it doesn't, i like the idea (and cost) of a milk crate [w/ garbage bag]/toolbox mounted to the back
gotta keep it waterproof/portable/bookfriendly... thanks!

sorry to being up my old thread, but i just got the rack and bag. the rack is sturdy, and after a trip to home depot, fixed nicely to my bike.

the bag is WAY to small. if it were maybe 5 inches bigger on every internal dimension, it would have worked perfectly. i can't even fit ANY of my books into it -- it appears i was assuming the "dimensions" listed would work, but they are obviously OUTSIDE dimensions :(

i am now trying to figure out a way to fix my backpack [or possibly make a bag] to fit to the rear rack. i like the idea of the milk crate, but for some reason, i can't get past the unattractive bulkiness (and permanent-ness) of it (it will be my last resort). i also liked the idea of bungeeing the backpack to the rack, but i don't think ME using bungee cords would be as fast and easy as i'm looking for. (and i'm looking for CHEAP... 30 bucks for that bag was a waste!)

the bag that i got from nashbar was actually easy to install and remove, it was just too small for books...
i'm going to keep searching for ideas; and if anyone has any other comments on what I could do, please comment!

[i need something with versatile potential -- commuting with books + clothes + misc, errand running, possible touring, and whatever else you need to do (or more importantly- haul) throughout the day]
THANKS!

You need panniers. Try to carry less if possible. Otherwise get yourself some large touring panniers from Arkel. If you can cram less in use the Samurai panniers since those come waterproof to begin with so you won't need to buy a separate rain cover.

i forgot to mention that panniers are pretty much out of the question, due to pedal/foot clearance (competition frame wasn't meant for loading).
i just zip tied a crate to the rack... took me 5 minutes and seems promising.

put my 15 lb bag of books in it... it holds firmly, but is hard to balance the bike at slow speeds.

one thing that's got me thinking is that i have small cracks in some of the eyelets of my rear rim, and if the extra load in the back would kill it. (i've hit some pretty nasty bumps at high speeds, and it's stayed true so far)
anyways, that's neither here nor there... i'm going to try the milk crate on tomorrow's commute.

Small cracks have a way of becoming big cracks in short order, especially if you ride over a lot of bumps. You're going to have to get that fixed/replaced, sooner or later.

And how beefy are your zip ties? I'd be concerned unless you're using the ultra-thick industrial type.

Stick with the milk crate....or buy a wire basket and bolt that to the rack (Wald makes them) . Keep using your parkpack.

Heavy loads of books make the bike handle a little funky-- you'll get used to it.

milks crates can work pretty good. It is what i use.

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/Mytrek2.htm

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~hankinsj/Gc006.jpg

I'm looking for the same thing. One would think that there is a rack/pack combo unit suitable for books and notebooks. It would be nice to have one where the pack comes off the rack easily and has some shoulder straps on it. It would not have to be heavy-duty as you get pretty close to classes from the bike rack anyway. Just to carry your books from one class to another.

I think that's what we really need.

Thanks,

Mirkee