Commuting - Question about compatibility of a rack and bag.

So Quick question, I think it will work but I just want to make sure.
I want to run this rack with this bag. I think the Panniers are short enough to not hit the tires when I ride.
I didn't want to run the side frames if I could..
Like I said, I think it will work but just wanted to get your opinion.

Bag: http://www.rei.com/product/710472
Rack: http://www.rei.com/product/697096

the panniers are nearly 2 feet tall. I have this bag with a regularly mounted rack (not a seat post mount). I think you will need the side frames, but you can always try it and get the side frames after if it doesn't work.

I have only had this bag about a month, but I really like it so far BTW.

Sweet thank you for the quick response!

I have the MTX EXP trunk bag mounted to an explorer rack, which is a standard rear rack (as opposed to a seatpost-mounted one). They state on the link you provided that you need the side frames if you want to use the bags equipped with foldout panniers. You certainly wouldn't want the two panniers flopping around without any support, especially on a seatpost rack. I really like the bag though, fits a good amount of stuff when you need it to and also stays small and out of the way when you need it to.

Kind of resurrecting an old post. Had a few more questions or concerns.

If I road with a rack like this http://www.rei.com/product/743341 on my Cannondale Synapse 7 will I have any issues with the rack hitting my rear tire? I've read a few posts saying some people had issues with the rack swaying and rubbing the tire.

Would it be safer to go with a rack like this?: http://www.rei.com/product/697821

If I did go with this rack: http://www.rei.com/product/697821 I see people screw it to the base of their rear seat stays but on my Synapse I don't see where I would screw it to the frame.

Any ideas?

Kind of resurrecting an old post. Had a few more questions or concerns.

If I road with a rack like this http://www.rei.com/product/743341 on my Cannondale Synapse 7 will I have any issues with the rack hitting my rear tire? I've read a few posts saying some people had issues with the rack swaying and rubbing the tire.

Would it be safer to go with a rack like this?: http://www.rei.com/product/697821

If I did go with this rack: http://www.rei.com/product/697821 I see people screw it to the base of their rear seat stays but on my Synapse I don't see where I would screw it to the frame.

Any ideas?

I had a seat tube mounted rack on my Specilized Allez because it didn't have any braze on mounts on the chain stays. I had a 7lbs SLA battery in it and some other stuff. I thought the wieght on the seat tube really messed up the handling. It puts all of your cargo wieght in a high center of gravity.

I would suggest the regular type of rack if you have mounts for it. Also, it will keep your panniers out of your spokes. I mounted one with P-clips from Ace hardware. They are nicely rubberized.

Just my $0.02

Jeff

It looks like your observation is correct about not having eyelets by the back axle to screw a rack to. It appears the Cannondale Synapse 7 isn't designed to easily attach standard rear racks and fenders, which is common for a lot of road bikes.

Some people have gotten supplemental hardware to help them attach standard racks to bikes not designed for them, such as P-clips from a hardware store that can be clamped around the frame (see the picture below).

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:wHIvj7Nm51W6zM:http://www.armadaleautoparts.com/userimages/Electrical/p_clamps.jpg

I have not used a seatpost attached rack but I think it would not be as secure for the size of pannier you are looking at. I also noticed that the seatpost mounted rack has a maximum load of 20 pounds.

The other thing you need to consider is heel strike. Road bikes tend to have shorter chainstays and there is risk of your heel hitting the front of your pannier as you pedal. Mounting the rack farther back, or using a longer rack can help with the problem.

Thanks for the quick responses.
I forgot to mention my wife got me this back: http://www.rei.com/product/780461 It has shorter pannier's so it'll be more compact.

So I will probably go with this rack(http://www.rei.com/product/697821) and get something like those P clamps.

Thanks again for your response!

I have this trunk/pannier setup on my bike.

One night on my way home in the dark, I noticed it was getting really hard to pedal. I was going up a hill so just thought it was me being lame and kept on pushing. Until finally--just before the top of the hill--I just couldn't make the pedals go around any more. I just couldn't.

So I stopped to have a break. I got off my bike to walk it up the hill the rest of the way when I noticed that pushing it wasn't making things any better! :eek:

So--long inspection story short--I discovered that the bunjie thingy had come lose, caught on the spoke and wrapped around the axle a whole bunch of times. I had to put it up-side-down and unwind the whole thing. I spent several minutes cursing myself for not having stopped when it was a LITTLE bit hard rather than waiting...

Lesson learned: Always double check the fastener thingy to make sure it's securely closed!