Hello folks,

I have been commuting for a bit (16 miles, open farmlands with hills) on my Trek Madone with a backpack 3-4 days per week. I am a high school teacher and I have been able to manage not bringing the work home so I have been able to travel lite, however considering that I have to leave my house at 5:15 am in order to get there early enough to do this, as well as the realization that I really would like something a bit sturdier I have been thinking about a new ride.

However, the stars and moon have apparently aligned in a manner that I was not expecting and my wife has given the thumbs up to a new 2012 Caad10 that should be here is a week or so. This is primarily for commuting (90%) with the idea that I would torture myself if the odd cross race this winter (10%). I am still going to have my Madone for regular road riding.

With all this said, I am seeking input for how best to set up the bike for commuting, primarily in the rack / pannier department. I have a great light and plenty of all weather gear that I have been using, however I just do not know enough about the racks / panniers to make a very educated decision. I have done a search and depending on the search string would come up with SO much or so little as to be ineffective.


So. What can you guys tell a backpack rider about a GOOD / GREAT set of racks to change my style of commuting. Cost is not a huge concern, however quality and construction is. Also, what makes a good pannier? My bike stays with me in my classroom during the day so being exposed to weather attached to a rack is not a concern. I guess I am also going to have to come to the realization that my "bat out of hell" riding approach to my commutes since in my mind I am simply on a road bike will likeldrop in overall average speed... (more psycological than anything I guess) so whatever route I go I am still looking to keep the bike as "lively" as possible.

Andrew



now.... if I can only figure out why my wife did not argue with me over buying a new bike....