ridestockholm

If a cyclocross has no rack mounts, is there another way to put a bag of some sort on it to carry stuff on a commute?

Thanks.

RonH

Many cx bikes have eyelets and braze-ons for attaching a rack. My '05 Jamis Nova had them.
If your bike has none you can use p-clamps to attach a rack.
See pics here. --> https://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/07...-your-friends/

The folks in the Commuting forum talk about them all the time.

texasdiver

You have a variety of options.

1. You can use the p-clamps mentioned above if your frame is steel or aluminum (careful clamping hard on aluminum) but NOT on carbon frames. Carbon is not designed to be squeezed like that.

2. You can install a seat post rack. There are a variety of racks on the market that only clamp to the seat post. They are designed for full suspension mountain frames but will work fine on a cross bike.

3. You can put on a handlebar bag

4. You can put on a seat bag. There are some nice options that will carry quite a lot of gear. In fact, there are reportedly some riders who tour for weeks with only a seat bag (google Jobst Brandt tours of the alps). Carradice, an English bag manufacturer has the widest options. See:

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/carradice.asp

ridestockholm

TY! Great info, just what I was looking for.

texasdiver

Couple more points

1. If you are carrying heavy loads, better to distribute the weight as low as possible on the bike. That means panniers on front and rear. This is probably not an issue for commuting unless you are carrying huge piles of books or something.

2. A heavily weighted handlebar bag will negatively affect your steering. They are great for packing a jacket, patch kit, cell phone, snacks, etc. But not for anything heavy.

3. Most of the seat bags you'll find at the local shop are the little wedges that can't hold much more than a tube and patch kit. The large spacious ones are more of a specialty item that you may need to order off the internet. I've never tried them but a lot of people rave about the Carradice bags and do touring with nothing but them (credit card touring with no pack or tent).

Personally I commute with a very small handlebar bag strapped to the top of my MTB bars where I keep cell phone, keys, gloves, wallet. And I have a trunk bag on my rear rack where I have tools, tubes, patch kit, jacket, and snacks on longer rides. I'm using these two bags from REI and I like both of enough to not be shopping for anything else.

https://www.rei.com/product/780457
https://www.rei.com/product/780460

nubcake

dont forget also that old man mountain makes a few bike racks designed for bikes with no braze ons at all. They mount to the QR and the canti bolts. I have used mine for at least 2000 commuting and touring miles and it is great.

https://oldmanmountain.com

ridestockholm

K, I'll check both of those out. I don't need to carry much, just a change of clothes (well, its my gi), and it gets bulky and heavy enough after training that I'd much rather carry it on the bike than in my backpack...