Rack & Bag combo ?
 

Do you think this combination will work?
Will the bags fit? e.g.bottom clip locate properly

*MTX BeamRack with dual sideframe
http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/MTXDualSideFrame

*Ortlieb Sport Packer Plus Waterproof Panniers
http://www.comparecyclegear.com/comp...iers-pair.html

Advice welcome
John

The Topeak rack has the "quicktrack" system. If you use it with Topeak bags, they slide along a track and click in to place. Topeak does offer trunk bags with fold out panniers.

If you're not using Topeak bags, then you're carrying a lot of unnecessary weight with the "quicktrack" system.

What he ^^^ said.

Ortlieb bags rawk. Stick to normal racks, Tubus, et al. Unless you already have compatible Topeak bags. Otherwise stay away from proprietary mounting systems. They pigeon hole you into buying everything "Topeak" or what ever brand it may be.

the dual track eye shaped lower Ortlieb mount is quite adjustable,
but I don't use that rack ,
mine are normal [tubus] not beam racks,
so YMMV.

I can't recommend a beam rack that lacks lower attachment points. If you ride enough, sooner or later it will dissapoint you, and anything with a proprietary mounting system is a red flag for me. I believe you can easily do better. If you don't have lower braze ons or other attachment points there are solutions. (see link) You could choose many quality racks and use these fitments to make it rock solid.

http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS...ONS%20PAGE.htm

Ortleib paniers OTOH, yes please. A very good choice.

Thanks for the advice modernjess
It was the absence of adequate lower mounting points with the carbon seat stays that had me looking at a beam rack
Looks like the Item #2 Quick Release Rack Mounting Kit is the best solution
http://www.thetouringstore.com/TUBUS...ONS%20PAGE.htm
John

I didn't care for the beam rack when I had it. It mounts everything up higher than a typical rack and then there is the side to side swinging issue which requires a super tight lock onto the seatpost. I do have topeak rear rack with quicktrack system and a bag with fold out panniers. It's cool, works just fine but is a little heavier due to the mounting track.
The panniers are also mounted higher due to being attached to the trunk bag.

I'm thinking of trying a pannier only system on the rear but its nice to fold everything up and just have the trunk bag in my draft instead of empty panniers hanging off the sides in the wind.

John---

How much do you really need panniers? Do you think a large saddlebag would be sufficient? Something like the Carradice Camper Longflap.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php...ct_id=35&under

This is the way I'd go unless I absolutely needed to mount a rack on a bike with no rack mounts.

Not really. Any brand of pannier works fine with a Topeak rack. And while the proprietary rack-trunk mount is slick, you can use the platform with any other trunk, too, if that's what you've got. You just strap it down as with any rack.

I agree with you. I use the Sunlite PakRak rack and top/trunk bag with regular Sunlite pannier bags with no problems. On my Hardrock I have a "no name" pannier bag/top bag where the top bag doubled as a backpack on a Topeak rack with it's proprietary mounting system. I like the rack and the trunk/top bag and that they are mated. I also like being able to choose what bag(s) I carry on the rack.