Bicycle Mechanics - Seatpost rack on a carbon fiber seatpost

I would like to get a seatpost rack for when I use my bike for commuting. However, I have a carbon fiber seatpost, and a bike shop employee told me that you should not use such a rack with a carbon fiber seatpost. I have also found this advice by searching on bikeforums.net. However, I have discovered that my seat post is actually a carbon-wrapped seatpost. This leads to two questions:

1. Are all carbon seatposts actually carbon-wrapped seatposts?
2. If carbon-wrapped seatposts are different than carbon seatposts, is it okay to clamp a seatpost rack on it.

1: No...

2: If you're light weight, and won't be carrying much on the rack...it *might* be okay, but why take the chance? You could just buy a cheap alloy post, and not have to worry about the seatpost breaking...

Cheap alloy post = $10.

2: If you're light weight, and won't be carrying much on the rack...it *might* be okay, but why take the chance? You could just buy a cheap alloy post, and not have to worry about the seatpost breaking...

I would be carrying light loads, but I am NOT light weight (220 lb). As it is, I can feel some flex in the seat post.


Cheap alloy post = $10.

An alloy post it is then. Thanks for the advice.

Check out the racks made for the Electra/Townie bikes. I believe they can be mounted using the seat tube instead of seat post.

Check out the racks made for the Electra/Townie bikes. I believe they can be mounted using the seat tube instead of seat post.

I'm not sure what Electra/Townie bikes are. Are these a brand, or are they a type of bike?

Electra is the brand name. Here is a link to their accessories.
http://www.electrabike.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=EP&Category_Code=TRR