Commuting - rack for bike

id like to get a rack with some bags (are the bags called panniers?) for the back of my bike. i ride a surly pacer frame. i think its setup to take a rack on the back.

im wondering what you folks use for racks that youve been happy with. thanks for your help..


Dee

I like a rack with a spring. Pretty handy. http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Explorer-Bike-Rack-Spring/dp/B000FIATZ8

Tubus fly on my Surly Cross check. Super light and strong and expensive. The Fly is not the choice for long tours with big loads, but that's not what I do. For commuting and around town grocery getting, It's a really nice rack. Tubus makes top notch stuff.

http://www.tubus.com/index/lang/en/rubrik/Rear%20Carriers/

I use the Topeak Super Tourist Tubular with the DXP Trunk Bag

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Nmh8cQh5L._SS400_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Trunk-Bicycle-Molded-Panels/dp/B000ZKES0S/ref=pd_sim_sg_3

Nashbar has some great deals on racks and panniers.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCategory_10053_10052_200350_-1_200277_200282

If you look at the pic of the Topeak, the metal rods cross at angles with small welds. In some racks, the rods are bent then doubled up to run alongside for a longer weld like here (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://washford.scene7.com/is/image/Washford/899724%3F%24prod%24&imgrefurl=http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_390555_langId_-1_categoryId_165643&usg=__quyueNL8b2QlOsRQifG70NlxMzE=&h=200&w=200&sz=9&hl=en&start=141&um=1&tbnid=RWYe6Vjm2-LZiM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpannier%2Brack%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DN%26start%3D140%26um%3D1)

The problem with doubled-up rods is that the best pannier bags have quick-release locking mounts that fit around single rods. This double-rod design severely restricts the type and position of pannier bag and serves no useful purpose. Select one like the Topeak with single rods running the whole length.
If you have fenders you dont need a top-plate. Open framework tops are more versatile when it comes to lashing big items.

The rear of the Topeak has a mounting tab for a reflector or rear lamp. This is the best position for lamps and some are specially made to be bolted here.

The Surley Pacer does not have extra long touring chainstays but they are a sensible size. Make sure your pannier bags have a heel cutout shape to avoid clipping.

that tubus AIRY titanium rack is 197 grams plus hardware... my god. probably costs as much as my bike.

This double-rod design severely restricts the type and position of pannier bag and serves no useful purpose.

Respectfully, I disagree. I bought my Tubus Cosmo specifically because (at the time) it was the only dual-siderail rack sold in the US. I'm delighted to see other makers selling them.

Dual side rails permit the easy simultaneous mounting of panniers and a trunk bag. I use a trunk bag for my commuting gear, supplementing with panniers as needed.

In this sequence, I mounted the Tailrider and the grocery panniers so I can stop for groceries on the way home.

http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/kit/tailrider-only.jpg
Step one--Mount the trunk bag.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/kit/tailrider+panniers.jpg
Step two--Mount the grocery panniers. Try that on your single-siderail rack. Yes, it can be done--I've done it. But it involves a lot more cussing and fussing than I'm willing to do on a regular basis.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/kit/loaded-1.jpg
Step three--Shop for groceries on the way home.


http://www.brucew.com/images/bikeforums/kit/loaded-2.jpg
The other big advantage is that I can easily remove each bag by itself while still loaded, for easy carrying up the fire escape.