Okay so I want to get the backpack off my back cause of weight. I can only mount a seat postof rear rack. I do not like the weight back there trowing my balance off. I saw a front rack on th commuter bikes but when I called my LBS they said they don't make one for the front. I was thinking of making a home made one. My question to you before I go through the trouble of making it..... the weight of a packpack IN front Verses back of bike. Thanks

How heavy is the backpack? I carry some groceries in the "trunk" bag on my seat post rack and quite a bit of other grocery stuff in the front basket and I hardly feel a thing.

Take your pick...

How much are you carrying that the backpack is such a problem, and that the weight on the seatpost rack is a problem too?

If you HAVE to carry that much, then you need to get it down lower on the bike -- in other words, panniers. If you can't mount panniers on your bike, then you know what your problem is...you need a different bike.

Option A: get a bike that can take panniers.
Option B: live with the discomfort.
Option C: carry less gear.

I wear a uniform at work so I wear my work pants to work and have a pair of shorts to wear home. So it is 7-10 lbs.

Hmmm. You shouldn't even feel 7-10 pounds on the rack - seat post rack or otherwise.
I personally don't use a backpack or messenger bag -- they drive me nuts. I carry one but it goes in the basket.
They aren't real "stylish" but Wahl baskets, either front or back, are fantastic. They are on my list of things to get for my lowly Schwinn commuter.

I would rather much have some weight on the back of my bike than on the front. For some reason it seems like it would throw me off more. Unless you carry a lot of weight in back it shouldn't throw you off much. I've done groceries a couple of times using a Topeak rack and crate with some bottles of wine in there. It takes a couple of seconds to adjust but not bad at all. I also commute with a change of clothes to work using my bookbag because I haven't had $100 to spend on a MTX trunk bag. I'm not sure if I will anytime soon to be honest.

Well my LBS guy talked me into getting a rear rack and said that I would be better off with it in back. So I will check it out and see how I do. Thanks for all input

Monday is my big day for the commute, and I pack 25 lbs on my back. Some of us feel as awkward on our bikes if we strap the weight to the bike, just as you do with the weight on your back.

How much weight are we talking here?

I prefer front racks/baskets over rear anything greatly. I dislike having anything on my back unless it's very light.

Things I dislike about rear racks:
You cannot see what you're carrying while riding.
You have to lift your leg over everything or knock it off the bike when you get on and off the bike.
The handling is weird.

Front rack things I like:
Everything you're carrying is in sight.
You don't have to lift your leg over everything or accidentally knock anything off.
The handling is weird at low speed with lots of flop - BUT once you get moving it is less noticeable than having weight behind you.

Whoa. I knew there was a reason I clicked on this thread.

OP: _not_ the front rack.

I agree that front racks may not be ideal for most cyclists, but it annoys me when I hear such BS from people (the LBS) who should know better.

Racktime Topit:



Cheapo Sunlite rack w/basket:



Generic lowrider rack:



and so on...

I have a front rack on one bike and a back rack on the other. You will definitely feel more of a difference on the front rack. With my lock and handlebar bag packed on the front, you do feel the weight difference and the change in handling. It's not a big deal but you do feel it. Back rack can take much more weight and not make a difference in the handling.

Yes you guys were right I bought a rack and works great. Thanks

Easiest to spread the weight front and back. The touring forum will have lots of suggestions.