Need a tool bag that doesn't hang off the saddle
 

I rebuilt my old Peugeot into a commuter with fenders and rear rack, and I just tried out my panniers on it. Because of the way the panniers sit on the rack, the only place I can put a taillight that will be visible is on the seat post, and there's not enough seat post sticking out for a saddle bag and still leave enough room for any lights. And if the lights get too low, they'll be blocked from view by the panniers on the rear rack.

So the lights must get the seatpost.

There is a nice open area above the rear brake, in front of the rack and panniers, on top of and behind the seat stays, that's perfect for a tool bag. The open space is pretty much right under where a saddle bag would hang, and there's enough room there for a really BIG tool bag.

But I can't find any bag that could be go in there and attach to the seat stays. That's what I'd prefer.

Yes, I know I could get a frame bag that hangs on the top tube, but I'd prefer to put it out of the way and behind the seat tube somewhere.

Why not clip the light on the end of the seatpost bag? Many have a belt-loop tag that will accommodate a light.

You can try a Bike Burrito! http://www.etsy.com/shop/bikeburrito

I have an Acorn bag, which has a leather loop to hold the rear blinkie. Great bag!

Why not toss the tools in the panniers?
 

The obvious question is "why don't you put the tool kit in the panniers"? I suppose if you don't want to carry your panniers everywhere, but want your tools always available, you can get a front bag or a top-tube bag. I would pick the front bag over at top tube bag.

One strong word of suggestion about tools; skip the multi-tool gizmos. Multi-tools are really great as long as you never have to use them. You know, you will really appreciate a good tool when you are sitting on roadside gravel trying to make a repair on your bicycle. Get yourself some hand tools. The basics can come right from the hardware store - adjustable wrench, screw-drivers, pliers. Bike specific tools would be; chain tool, tire irons, spoke wrench, allen tools, cone/pedal wrenches (maybe), etc.

+1

Like my topeak aero wedge w/ fixer (medium)

tool bag or spare tube, patch kit and a couple allen wrenches bag? All of that can be in a very small bag strapped down tight in various places. On a road bike with caliper brakes I've strapped it to seat stays, on a touring bike underneath the seat stays against the seat tube.

you can get something like this for the front or back of inner triangle:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

or heck a full frame bag...

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...ns/Fargo05.jpg

Couple of options.

1) Get a rack adapter for the blinky - it will bolt right in where the reflector usually goes. Most manufacturers make one, they just milk you $5 or so instead of tossing a half-dollars's worth of plastic and bolts in the box. I like my rear light here, as I can pile stuff up on top of the rack, and still be seen at night. (And I never set it to blink, but that's another flamewar for another time.) Peter White makes rack adapters if your rack doesn't have a reflector mount. (Cheapest things he sells, too.)

2) A small handlebar bag, like the V.O. Baguette, or Topeak Handlebar DryBag for something =really= small.

3) A small "triangle" bag that mounts inside the frame, M-wave Triangle pack, or DIY.

4) Get a fender-mounted tail light, like the Spanninga SPXb.

I got one of these on clearance for $20 and love it. Its a rigid cloth zippered waterbottle to put in your cage. it makes swapping between bikes a snap and doesn't get in the way. Holds a ton, too.

http://penncycle.com/product/trek-fl...le-39182-1.htm

Eight posts until someone suggested mounting the blinkie to the rack?? C'mon, guys, you're losing your edge here...

Try asking your LBS for a rack-mount blinkie. I did. They rummaged around in their "second-hand crap" box, and gave me one for =free=! That didn't work.

All of the awesome blinkies, not to name name-brand-names, but =all=of=them=, have rack-mount adapters available to order, tacking on another five bux (plus a week's worth of special-order shipping) to the cost of blinkie-having. My generic, made-in-The-Phillipines, 6-LED, waterproof, awesomely bright blinkie was seven bux at Benny's Hardware, and came with both a seat-post-mount and a rack-mount.

Man, I got money, as being a backwoods New Englander, I don't spend it on much. I like to spend for quality (Ask Velo-Orange, they ought to have a "indestructible stuff a dumb swamp yankee paid cash-money on" category by now). I don't pay companies to rip me off. Include the damn rack-mount in the box of your overpriced blinkie, fer chrissakes. Cheaping out on this little thing makes me leery of your whole operation.

Cheep solution from Nashbar

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...flybars015.jpg

Agreed... this is the simplest solution...just attach it to the end of the rack.

You can see my lights are visible

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4590/img0191tl4.jpg