Originally Posted by
aggiegrads
I think that the problem is not so much the rack, as what you put on it.
The main reason I rack-mounted my lights was because I didn't want my pannier to get in the way. If you are only using a trunk rack, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue, but there will be "blind spots".
Do you currently have lights on the rack now?
I've got a 4D Toplight mounted right now. And a NR Cherrybomb 1W on the seat post between the reflector and the seat wedge. But I want more lights back there.
If I strap my bag to the rack, it pretty much blocks the seat post light and reflector. I've mounted a milk crate in the past that blocked the reflector, but allowed for lights to be zip tied. Despite the utility factor, I just couldn't live with the weight of the crate and removed it. The flat tray that I've used before hangs over the rear platform a bit and blocks the rack light some, and again removed it.
I've tried putting the Cherrybomb on the rack leg, but I couldn't figure out how to keep it stable and secure; besides, mounting the rear leg just points the light down towards the ground and reduces the 'distance of awareness' as it were.