Depends on where it's parked.
1. At work, I am able to bring my bike in the building, so I leave everything in the bag.
2. Same at home.
3. I often work in coffee shops where I can see it right through the window. In that case, I leave the stuff on the bike.
4. At the grocery store where there's a nice rack right outside the door and a security guard on duty? I leave the flat fix stuff but stick the lights, click stand, and other stuff in my pannier.
5. Parked someplace out of sight for an extended time? No way, everything comes in with me.

Just had one of those "duh" moments. I could swap out this rack for one that has lowered pannier rails. That would let me use a nice looking trunk bag without losing the ability to take panniers on and off easily.

Maybe something like this: Rakku Rear Rack | SOMA Fabrications.

Or, not as attractive, but one-third of the price (!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EZUNFO...5R9O292W&psc=1

Trek (Bontrager) Had racks made Aluminum variations on Tubus LoGo Racks , (i Like My real Tubus)

They too have a lowered hook rail

ITs a Thing companies picked up on.

Nope, the Agu bag uses the Klickfix adapter to attach to the handlebar. Yup, it does affect the handling a bit. I took a few test rides with tight, slow turns and some longer rides on the local chat/gravel trails to get accustomed to the handling. I don't plan to carry anything heavier than a small camera kit -- a body, a couple of lenses, flash, accessories.

For anything heavier I'd agree -- a bag on the front rack would be better. I do have an old Corrotec universal front/rear rack but don't like the looks on my Univega mountain bike, and it needs P-clamps to fasten it near the fork end so it's not very strong. The Univega has eyelets midway down the fork and that type of rack would look better.

Agu also makes rack top bags that use the Klickfix system. But I wouldn't go out of my way to order one unless it was weatherproofed like the Qyoto bag I bought.

I'm glad you realised this, as it was going to be my question to you. :p

These rear racks come in black or silver and are rated to hold 30kg/66lbs.

What I really like about these racks and was very slow to pick up on, is that they have their own integrated clip-in system that works unbelievably well. If I had realised this earlier, I would have purchased them before I purchased my Axiom rack.

I have been using a front and rear basket on my Rack Time rack and the quick release system is brilliant.

There is a quick release Trunk Bag(probably a few actually) that can also be easily installed on these racks and then taken off again and a rear basket put on if you want to do some grocery shopping.

In addition to their racks coming in black or silver, so too do their rear and front baskets, but for the sake of simplicity I am only showing the silver versions of racks and baskets.

Rear Rack Time Racks

https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psp1xnecxo.jpg


https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psjos8zhoj.jpg


Front Rack

https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3kggf1iq.jpg



Trunk Bag 1 for Rack Time System
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psmyihep5c.jpg

Trunk Bag 2 for Rack Time System
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psvsbeun1g.jpg


Front Basket for Rack Time System(will also work on rear rack)
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

2 different sizes - 20L & 23L

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psaxkinnv1.jpg


Rear Basket for Rack Time System
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...psdonbz5vx.jpg

Lock your Rack Time Accessories into your Rack Time rack.

This lock goes with the rack, rather than the accessories, so you only need 1 per rack.
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=3

http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3sopdse.jpg

First, I don't think that your bike is too ugly.
I think the accessories clash a bit, but that's easily remidied.

1. Choose a look.
Do you want Classic and Vintage "bespoken" or hipster ultraminimalist cool.
2. Choose 2-3 colors as your overall scheme.
3. Choose what you're willing to sacrifice/change.

Since you're into function, I'd recommend just changing your bartape (to black or natural cork/leather to match your seat). Remove the power strap on the pedal (or change to black; or change to a Grip King pedal). Change your bungie to black. Remove the reflectors.

I can see a very subdued black/silver motif working for you (black grips, black bungie, no power strip, and maybe a Brooks pannier). This would be a touring type setup.

Alternatively, you can have black/silver/tan for a more classical look (natural cork/leather grips, tan brooks saddle, silver rack, brooks pannier, matching leather pedal strap or no strap.) For extra class, try getting a brass Suzu bell.

Personally, I think your bike isn't too bad looking. Just the accessories (red bungie, turqious griips, footpedal strap) really clash. I'd just change the bartape and bungee and be happy. If you want to splurge, the Brooks bricklane (rollup, fixed pannier) or Suffolk (ortleib mounting system, removable) would both be good options.

For fenders, you can get black ones that match your bike or get hammered metal fenders for more bling (if you get a silver rack).

Sorry, but the handlebar tape has to go. Black and turquorise just don't go together. I get the whole Bianchi thing, but it's painful to look at. Black and silver/gold is classy and clean looking. The power straps are also out, but a fairly minor blemish.

Just to be clear, 3 colors max. Here is my bike set up for touring. Silver, white and black (ignore the tent).

http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/...D42BBA12C6.jpg

Here's my take on a quick commuter. I use a Dill Pickle handlebar bag most days and add Axiom panniers as needed.
https://s13.postimg.org/7chaog013/pacer2small.jpg

IMO front racks always look ugly and should only be used when fully loaded bike touring or as full utility bike. Commuters can roll usually with just a trunk or some panniers. Keep it lean and mean.

Volpe in black with moustache bars? Awesome commuter.

Here are my suggestions:
Black Brooks b17
Black SKS Longboards
Nitto m12
Black Swift rando bag with turquoise pockets
Tubus Tara front rack
Black Ortlieb front rollers

Go without the rear rack. Touring bikes ride better front loaded. And look rad too.

Well, I have to disagree with those who say it's not ugly. It could be worse, but still, yes, I think it's ugly. But it looks totally functional. It's a bike, not an art project.

Since this thread is about aesthetics, what I see is a modern bike. I see a unicrown fork, sloping top tube, a lot of black components, a disproportionately large rack (it is, as you say, a fairly small frame). Loud white graphics on a black background, black rims, and so on. It's going to be hard to make a pretty bike out of this.

I think you should just go ahead and embrace the ugly. Ugly is where the industry is headed.

I don't think anybody really suggested a handlebar bag, which you could use to hold all the stuff in your saddle bag, plus your keys/wallet/cellphone/etc. I think a handlebar bag or a new rear rack that has the lowered pannier rails are your best options. I have used both setups and liked them both.

If you do buy a new rear rack and rack top bag, I highly recommend Topeak. They make the rack with the lowered rails and the quick release/interlocking bag system. The system works very well.

Bruce

[MENTION=364284]ColonelSanders[/MENTION] - Thanks for all of the links. I think I'll go with that Racktime rear rack. Now I just have to decide if I want to go with an all-black or all-polished-alloy scheme for things like racks and fenders.

A lot of people have strong feelings about that bar tape! It's staying for now, but when it comes time to change it, I'll switch to cork or black.

I love this! I'm getting a lot of advice to cut down on how many colors on are on the bike. Good advice!

Gorgeous!

I'm coming around to this view. Especially with a smallish frame, all the front bags I have found would overwhelm the bike. Think I'll go with a rear rack with lower pannier rails. I'll keep a small trunk bag on it for my all-the-time stuff and add panniers for hauling-with-me stuff.

Thanks. I do like the moustache bars. They're new (as is the bar tape nearly everyone else hates). I like your suggestion for an all-black scheme. I'm going to go with either that or an all polished-alloy scheme for components. Black for accessories.

I'm a big believer in keeping it simple when it comes to bike decor. I agree with others that it's best to keep the color scheme to 2-3 choices. I've tried a lot of different color schemes on my commuter bikes over the years because I get bored with the same old thing. Here are some general guidelines that work for me:

- Try to match bar tape and saddle color as much as possible.
- It's usually better to use complementary or near complementary colors (which contrast) for bar tape, saddles rather than trying to match the frame color -- which almost never matches just right and looks boring if it does. Complementary colors are those that are opposite on the color wheel -- such as blue and orange, red and green, yellow and purple, etc.
- Don't be afraid to use bright colors, but make sure they complement your frame color or pick up a color used in the decals or other frame details.
- Basic black is hard to beat, particularly for bar tape, saddles and tires. After much experimentation, I now shy away from any tires with colored sidewalls or stripes, except tan. Tire color almost always detracts from the overall look of the bike and looks nasty after a while if you ever ride in the rain. Tan bar tape looks particularly nice if you also have tan sidewalls and/or saddle.
- Silver or black work best for components and accessories.
- All black (or gray/silver) is boring, boring, boring even though it seems to be trendy.
- Brightly colored cable housings draw attention to a minor component that should just disappear or blend in. The same could be said for bottle cages, but sometimes colored cages work with frames that are totally lacking in color interest (such as black, silver, while or gray). I stick with black or gray/silver for cables and cages.

btw, anyone who tells you to limit colors is wrong. as long as you're not making the rainbow clashing colors bike from hell, the more fun colors, the better. boring bikes are boring. black bikes are boring. stand out.

my commuter bike in its old form, with rack, pannier, was a nice mix of blue, and orange: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rattle...posted-public/
Same bike, in current commute mode (i now use a backpack): https://www.flickr.com/photos/rattle...posted-public/
And my carbon road bike is the epitome of flashy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rattle...posted-public/ (yes i wanted that color on purpose. yes I found cages and tape that matched the color on the bike as close as possible)

I agree with this to a point, but I like the frame color and decals to be a guide. My commuter bike is gaudy, but it was gaudy to begin with, so my choices work. I don't have a recent side photo, but it has a yellow SMP saddle, yellow cables, yellow cage, red tape, red pedals, and some red trim on the wheel decals, all of which play off the frame and decal. Here's a recent closeup that I took to show off my "I Voted" sticker

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5340/3...d6fde6c8_c.jpg
Untitled by Darth Lefty, on Flickr

Agreed, and lose the rack and bag altogether.

Put your stuff into a backpack...

Oh absolutely not.

Backpacks on bikes are the worst thing ever....uncomfortable, sweaty...zero advantages.

The bar tape is fine, it just clashes with the red straps.

I agree, but must admit that backpacks work for lots of us. They don't work for me, but I do well with a messenger bag.

But aside from that, OP seems to do well with the luggage rack; so I wouldn't ditch the rack for aesthetic reasons.

:thumb: Yup, totally agree. Which is why I said don't make the rainbow bike from hell. Matching colors is a tried and true way to make a bike vibrant, but also sharp looking.
It's why my pannier matched my bar tape. It's why my cages and tape match the highlights on my Roubaix.

Just make sure you definitely put some shiny cages on those pedals.
Might I also suggest some nice pedals to go with those new cages: Standard Track | Parts | All-City Cycles
(origin 8 also makes basically the same exact pedal, but it many more colors, find them on amazon - that's where I got my blue ones on my Raleigh)

I'm just going to make my bike hideous I think. Green frame, different color bar tape on left and right halfs, different colored pedals, purple bottle cages...stickers all over.

Embrace the ugly!

Like this?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3ShH0Vry-...rtoise-002.jpg

OMG that's beautiful!

I'm definitely going for ridiculous from now on lol.