Originally Posted by
the sci guy
1) what's the point of the rack if the saddle bag hangs over 3/4 of it? Go one way or the other. Either use a small saddle bag that carries a tube, and a few tools, and then a regular trunk bag or a pannier for your work supplies or extra gear, or no saddle bag and toss everything in either the trunk or pannier. OR keep the large saddle bag, and remove the rack entirely.
Pure function. The reason I have it like that is that it gives me the capacity of a small trunk bag for stuff that is always on the bike, but it doesn't prevent me from using the rails for panniers like a trunk bag does. By lifting the back side of the bag just a bit, I can easily get my Ortliebs on and off the rack rails. Not pretty, but it gets the job done.
The "not pretty" part is what I'm trying to fix. That's why I'm thinking about moving all of that stuff into a smallish bag affixed to a front rack, leaving the rear rack clean except for when it's wearing panniers. Putting all of the stuff that is currently in the saddle bag into the panniers isn't something I want to do because (1) I'm constantly taking the panniers into different places with me (the office, grocery stores, coffee shops, etc.), and I don't see any reason to take all of that bike gear with me. And (2) I often go out for long recreational rides without any panniers, and I need the flat fix kit and maybe the rain gear with me.
Originally Posted by
the sci guy
2) bungee cords have to go
3) as stated previously, get some metal toe cages and nice straps - get rid of those dirty looking monstrosities.
4) I'm not a fan of the type of bars, but the bar tape color is good.
You're not the only one who doesn't like the power grips or the bungee cords. Problem is -- like the saddle bag -- I love how they function, just not how they look. Maybe instead of ditching them altogether, I'll just get new (and clean) black ones. Both power grips and bungee cords come in black. Maybe that would be less monstrous?