e0richt

hi,
I have come to the conclusion that I really prefer having a rack / basket setup for commuting.

I had purchased by main commuter bike's rack at the local LBS and they installed it...
This time, I plan to buy one and install it myself.

so which rack would you recommend?
and because my bike does not have the seat eyelets? or bolts? that my other bike has, I will need p-clamps.

I know this is a dumb question but where does one find p-clamps for a bicycle?

FrenchFit 

p-clamps = Any decent hardware store, often on the electrical department because they are used to secure conduit. They come in different sizes, know your tube diameter.

Rack = I have a few different racks for different purposes, including a Tubus. But, for overall utility, strength, size of top platform and set-back..I'd look at a Jandd Expedition first = Expedition Rack

The p clamp solution may look jury rig but it simply works. I have an off road MTB set up this way, no issues. I store an extra clamp, screws, nuts in a pannier just in case I shear one off on a drop, but its never happened.

trailmix

+1 on the Jandd. They make 3 different ones for the rear, depending on your needs.

fietsbob

Industrial use is to screw electrical cables & pipes, to walls and such.. bike shop suppliers have steel plasti-dipped ones .

no1mad 

I think some racks include a set of p-clamps- at least mine did.

downwinded

Another possibility.
Problem Solvers

gregjones

Axiom makes a seat clamp similar to the Problem Solvers. I use one of them because the bolts that hold the rack are a bit higher. I was using it to level out the deck on a 700 rack on a 26" bike and wanted all the help I could get. It worked great. With a proper sized rack either clamp would be great.

I have use P-clamps with no problems. I got mine from Fastenal, just because they're three miles closer than Home Depot.

ItsJustMe

I just put a rack on a bike, I decided to go with the Topeak for their quick release system.

The only problem I encountered is that I got the Super Tourist which is a fantastic frame but it has double rails on either side which makes it a bit wide. This means that my garment bag doesn't quite fold over the top of it as designed. I'd probably have been better off with the explorer.

The quick release is super nice when I go with just the trunk bag on top. They even make a quick release milk crate

cyccommute 

On the P-clamps from the electrical department at a hardware store: Ug! That's just nasty. It's one step up from duct tape (Please, e0richt, don't do duct tape) At least spring for the vinyl covered ones. Your local bike shop should have them for a couple of bucks apiece.

One problem with p-clamps is having to put them together. They can be difficult. It often feels like you need 3 hands to do it. A much more elegant, but more expensive, solution is to use Tubus stay mounts. They are easier to mount than P-clamps and, in my opinion, work better.

As for a rack, I'd suggest any rack that doesn't use flat stays like the Janndd. Racks that use round stays like the Tubus have more adjustment and are easier to mount. Tubus, of course uses them but Racktime, Planet Bike K.O.K.O., Sunlite G-Tec rack as well as others. I've been using the G-Tec on a couple of bikes and it's a good rack.

Here's what the round stays and the Tubus rack clamps look like on one of my bikes.



I used the Tubus clamps for lower clamps on a mountain bike as well. They are very strong.

e0richt

I have to admit they do look a bit more attractive...

TransitBiker

Remember to put rubber between seat stay & p-clamps.

- Andy