Originally Posted by
prathmann
Guess I don't really consider having a rear rack (weighs less than a water bottle) on my bike as being "encumbered". I'm sure I can't tell the difference while riding whether the rack is there or not. The panniers snap off in seconds (as quick as detaching my trailer) so only the rear rack stays on the bike - and frankly I find it handy to have some carrying capability even when leaving the camp so I can grab some groceries or other items while out and about.
Again, interesting . . . I kindof assumed that panniers were relatively fixed to the racks, and weren't very easy to remove. As I said, I have very little experience in this arena but I'm surprised, in a good way.
My road bike is setup like a racing bike and frankly I like it that way. It doesn't have any rack mounts, nor a saddle bag, nor any lights/reflectors or any other accessories aside from a very small cyclocomputer and an HR monitor. Even if I could fit some racks, I wouldn't want to do my road rides on the side, when I setup camp, with racks on. I was just imagining hauling tools and having to do a bike overhaul at the campsite and it didn't appeal to me.