Okay, so i went on my first long bike ride (about 50 miles) and i was wearing a backpack the whole way. Man the sweat mark i had was quite emberassing. So I was wondering, whats the best, preferably cheapest rack i can mount on the back of my bike, just so strap my backpack to with a bungee net.

I know at the target by my house, they have this but it seems like it might be kind of bad because its mounted to the seat post.

One of my LBS's has this but thats farther away.

So, are seat mounted on bike racks a bad idea?

I tried one for about a week before I threw it away. I found it near impossible to secure tightly enough. It was always swaying to one side or another.

So should I probably go with just a normal rack than?

That's what I did, but you're the one buying it. Make sure your bike can handle a regular rear rack in the first place.

A normal rack is better. The load is lower and less likely to sway. Also if you have a level top tube, the seat post rack rides too high under the seat making less room for your stuff on top. If you have a sloping top tube it's a little better since the seat post is longer and the rack rides a little lower. People say to avoid seat post racks if you have a carbon seat post.

You'll need to check if your bike has rack eyelets on the dropouts. Otherwise you'll need "P-clips" to attach to the seat stays.

I'm pretty sure I remember it having the eyelets for a rack.

If you have the holes to mount it, and maybe even if you don't, a normal rack is definitely the way to go. Performance bike has theirs on sale for $20 if you can wait for it to be shipped to you.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2325

I've got to say, if you can ride 50 miles, even without a backpack, and not have a big old sweat mark, then you're in much better shape than I am. When I ride 50 miles, I don't worry about the sweat. Still, I wouldn't want to do it with a backpack.

I learned all this the hard way, he's right. The lower height of the rear rack makes it easier to get at the in the bag and makes the bicycle more stable. And it's easier to get on and off when the bag is lower.

Yeah, I was surprised, that the only places i was sweating was where the backpack contacted my body. I usually sweat an unbelievable amount. And my shoulders started gettin real soar from the backpack as well. Which is why i want a rack.

nashbar.com has one on sale for $16

Rack
Trunk

Thats what I'm gettin. Thats absolutely perfect for me.

Looks good.