I'm attempting to mount a Topeak Explorer (mounts to seatstays, not to seatpost) on a size XS Giant Dash. This rack has 2 bent pieces of non-painted metal that protrude from under the front-end of the rack (see picture here).

I got the bottom of the rack mounted fine to the lower holes in the seatstays (near the hub).

The problem is with the upper part of the rack. The upper set of holes in the seatstays are blocked by the rear brake assembly. What's the best workaround here? I figure there must be some way attaching the 2 top mounting points to the seatpost, but maybe there's some better way? If I do go the seatpost route, is there some product available or should I just go to the hardware store and see what I can find?

Thanks.

Edit: Here's a picture of a giant dash 3. On this one, the upper seatstay holes are high enough, but on the extra-small frame I'm trying to work with, the holes are actually further down the stay than the brakes are.

You can either bend the stays until you get them to line up with the holes or get one of these:

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...6&category=168

Or take one of the silver pieces, sandwich it between the brake caliper and the frame, bend it up to meet the center of the rack and bolt it in place. The front support does little to carry the weight. The weight is carried by the legs.

Does this replace the existing collar or go on in addition to it?

Giant's site says the seatpost is 30.9mm, but that product seems to only be available in 29.8mm, 31.8mm, and 34.9mm.

It replaces the existing collar. Seatpost collars are spec'd by the outside diameter of the seat tube that they clamp around, not the seatpost size. Remove your current collar and measure the diameter of the seat tube. To convert from inches to millimeter, multiply the number by 25.4.

If the seatpost is 30.9, then the outside diameter of the seat tube is almost certainly 34.9mm, but it would be better to measure to be sure.

Bending the front supports works fine. Like this: https://s837.photobucket.com/albums/z...thpanniers.jpg