Touring - Rear Rack Choice - Old Man Mountain Cold Springs or Sherpa?

I'm trying to decide which rear rack to purchase. I'm going to use my cyclocross bike with disc brakes (Salsa Las Cruces) with no rack eyelets for this job. I plan on purchasing an Old Man Mountain (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/) rack for these duties, as they have a great reputation, and also seem to be my only choice for a bike with disc brakes, and no eyelets. My question is which rack to purchase.

My choice is either the OMM Cold Springs (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/cold_springs_rear_details.htm) rack, or the OMM Sherpa (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/sherpa_rear_details.htm) rack. The Cold Springs is a bit wider, and has a plate up front so the load doesn't shift into the rear tire. Is a wider rack better? I'm planning on using a pannier like the Arkel T-42 (http://www.panniers.com/panniers/t42/index.asp?page=overview&site=).

I would really like to hear from someone who owns one of these racks. However, any thoughts, or opinions are welcome. I'll attach a pic of the bike for inspiration! ThanX!!!!

I decided to get the Sherpa for my Mtb. since my old REI panniers are small (30 liters total) but adequate. I've already taken two weekend off-road trips with this setup. The axle mount system and connecting ties to the canti bosses are totally rock solid. I'm waiting on my new Arkel XM-28 mountain panniers which I ordered just a few days ago.
I posted a photo of my mounted Sherpa on another thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=61332
scroll down to post #4 for photo

Have you considered the Bob Yak?

http://www.bobtrailers.com/

I am very happy with it.

I have a cannondale cross bike with avid disc brakes, and it dosent have any rack mounts to speak of either, however as turtlendog has suggested, I use a BOB ibex trailer for touring and have done many long and short tours with it...350+ miles and the bike handles it great. It is a bit more expensive than racks (i paid around 350.00 us dollars) and panniers but its very easy to load and unload and very easy to attach and take off...two pins and wholla.

I decided to get the Sherpa for my Mtb. since my old REI panniers are small (30 liters total) but adequate. I've already taken two weekend off-road trips with this setup. The axle mount system and connecting ties to the canti bosses are totally rock solid. I'm waiting on my new Arkel XM-28 mountain panniers which I ordered just a few days ago.
I posted a photo of my mounted Sherpa on another thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=61332
scroll down to post #4 for photo

ThanX for the pic, Fixer! If you would be so kind, would you also post a pic with your Arkels mounted? ThanX!

I use a Cold Springs rack in the front of my MTB with suspension and a Red Rocks rear on the same MTB. The only caviot I have with the Cold Spring that it is incompatible with any pannier that uses a center hook or attachment as the top shelf on the CS rack is connected to the rail on the ends AND in the center. Works fine for my Carradice bags but the Madden bags use one hook which interfers with the top shelf. The Sherpa should not have this problem as the rail is separate from the top shelf.

I love my OMM racks, they're nice. I love the added stay on the Red Rocks rear, makes everything nice and stable and has a large load limit.



Jay

If you would be so kind, would you also post a pic with your Arkels mounted?

Just got these XM-28's the other day. These are basically replacing my REI Traverse panniers I've been using for a while now. I just hated the REI's mounting system.....not rugged enough for off-road use...and those annoying straps.
These Arkels seem so much larger than the REI's although REI claims 2,900 ci per pair and these Arkels are only 1,700 ci per pair. What gives?
Anyway, I'll be off to my usual weekend off-road camping retreat for some reading & meditating up in the local mountains with my new bags. Yeah!

ThanX for the pic, Fixer!!! :)