DRLski

I've commuted my bike to work at least 1-2 times per week (a nice 20 mile ride, 40 miles total daily) and normally just use a small backpack or my camelback without the water to carry my wallet, some work papers, and any other things that I may need since I can normally plan a day or two ahead and just leave a bunch of clothes at work so I don't have to carry much on my back but now that gas prices are up and I'd rather save the little money that I have for bike races and perhaps to get a little more riding time in, I'm going to start commuting to work on almost a daily basis using my cyclocross bike now that cross season is over with since some of the rodes on the way to work are kind of rough. So I was thinking about dropping the backpack and getting some panniers so I can carry my clothes with my and not worry about straining my back anymore than I have to. I'm also thinking about getting some mud/water flaps or whatever you call them for the rainy days to keep me a little dryer. Does anyone have suggestions on equipment to buy?
1. Does anyone know of a quality mud flap (or whatever they're called) for the bike
2. Should I go with the seatpost rack to carry my panniers or a seatstay mounted rack? Suggestions on one to get?
3. Suggestions on what to get for pannier bags for the rear of the bike that will not be huge but large enough to fit a pair of shoes, pants, shirt, tie, etc into?

Thanks again,
Dave

Doggus

I can't stop pimping my ride...also a cyclocross bike. Stay far away from seat post mounted if you can do the standard mounts. I like the bag (see thread) cause I can zip up the panniers when not needed. Like you, all I need to carry in the panniers is shoes. If I need more, I gots one left to utilize. The trunkbag and rack are very well designed. Comes off the rack in a snap.

See here!

Check back tommorrow and I'll tell you how the Freddy Fender Harcores fit on my bike. I bought some today and they're very nice. They come with the little mud flaps and stainless steel mounts. Now to see if they'll fit.

flipped4bikes

Yeah, +1 on pimping the Specialized TriX!

DRLski

Where did you buy the bag from, looks like you have the EPX version which I can't find anywhere. Performancebike only has the DX version which doesn't fold down like your's does.

Doggus

I have the Topeak MTX trunk bag DXP purchase here at REI. Got it a couple weeks back when they had the 20% off coupon on one item so I snatched it up. I also got this to mount it on. Designed to allow the bag to slide on and click into locked position. Slide on - slide off. There is also enough room to mount my seat bag to the post with the bag on, so when I get home and the wifey wants to go on one of her training rides, I just click and pull the trunk bag off and away we go with my seatbag still in place.

Also see this thread where I initially inquired about this bag. Someone gave me some links to online vendors with prices very close to the price I got at REI w/ 20% off.

chipcom 

You want fenders and mud flaps. Planet Bike Freddy Fenders come with fair mud flaps. SKS are better fenders for some, but you'll need to create your own mud flaps. On my beater, I made a mud flap from an old water bottle. The key is to have the front flap drop as close to the ground as possible. Rear flaps are more for someone riding behind you and have little benefit to you.

Get a decent Blackburn or Tubus rack and stay away from the saddlepost mounted jobs. With something like the Tubus Logo or Cargo, you can easily mount a 4D Toplight taillight.

I have a set of Avenir waterproof panniers that fit all of that with no problem...and they are dirt cheap..I think I paid like $39.95 for the set. Easy on and off. Of course always wrap your clothes in plastic for some extra water protection. I keep a pair of shoes and a belt at work so I aint gotta lug em. I also keep a complete set of clothing, just in case the perfect storm happens and the stuff I carry gets wet.

Jannd, Arkel, Carradice & Ortleib make nice higher end panniers, while both Nashbar and Performance carry their own branded waterproof bags.

I have a Carradice Barley saddlebag with a quick release for my tools, first aid kit, spare tube, patch kit, Road Morph, levers, rain cape, and other 'should have for any ride' stuff, and also have all three of the Topeak handlebar bags, using the one that fits my purpose...usually the small one for my commute, to stash my wallet, keys, cell phone, smokes, munchies, etc. The computer mount that comes with the topeak bags is suitable for my Vega headlight.

AndrewP

The Radical Explorack is an excellent rack with reasonable price (about $45 CDN). It is a bit longer than most so you wont have a problem hitting your heels against the bags, and the side strut arrangement will prevent the back of the bags swinging into the spokes during sudden manoeuvres. Get panniers with a positive locking mechanism to hold them on the rack - elastic hooks at the bottom are useless. Keep lock, shoes, pants, belt, shampoo, sunscreen, towel etc at work and carry the minimum. Pack the lightest rain jacket and pants you can find - they wont be waterproof but they will keep the mud off you and keep out the worst of the cold.

tegman

How do you like the TriCross Comp? I am looking for a new commuter bike to replace my tired out 1988 Trek 400. I test rode a TriCross a couple of weeks ago and really liked it, but I was concerned about all the rubber slowing me down. I have a 40 mile RT commute 3 days/week and don't go offroad. I thought about replacing the big tires with some 25's with Mr. Tuffies. I am also going to check out the TRek Portland. Any thoughts? Thanks.

RonH

See my ride (another cyclocross) in my sig.
The fenders are Freddy Fenders from Planet Bike