I hate my rear rack
 

I bought a Bell rack for my bike that mounts to the seatpost. The thing bolts to the seatpost with two bolts, each going through flanges that stick out on each side of the seatpost.

My legs rub these flanges and make riding with the rack very uncomfortable. What rocket scientist dreamed up this design?

Are all seatpost racks mounted this way?

No mine bount to the bracket that's behind the seatpost for the brake maybe. Can you shorten the bolts so they don't hit your legs?

Joe

Check out a Carradice SQR system.
Seatpost racks are a bodge to make up for the rocket scientist who left out the rack eyelets on your frame. They weight too much and carry too little.

What kind of bike is it? Can you mount a normal rack to it? Check out Old Man Mountain racks - they can mount to your wheel axle and brake bosses or clamp I think to your seat stays - no eyelets necessary. I'm really sold on these, that's why I talk of them a lot, I have one that mounts to eyelets and the brake bosses - has a nice extended rack bed too! I think they're some of the best racks out there. Worth the price. Plus - what's his name who owns the place is very receptive... I needed shorter brackets and he sent them out (two short ones and two long ones just in case) like 2nd day freight for free.

I looooooove my Topeak explorer rack with the Topeak bag. The bag quick detaches from the rack in a second..literally. Take it with you everywhere. Nice bag too. Converts to panniers in addition to a regular trunk bag when the wife calls you to pick up groceries, but panniers bags tuck away to nothing when you don't need em. Tough bag too. Loooove it. Heck , I should be selling them.

I've heard nasty tales of those seat-post racks breaking the seat-post when overloaded. I'd avoid them altogether.

Already mentioned on the "regular racks", but if you must use seatpost racks, then I second the suggestion to look at the Carradice SQR racks. Check out www.wallbike.com for a place to get them at or other Carradice bags..

Jay

The reason I ride my oldest road bike in the winter is I am willing to put a rack on it..Seat post mounted type. It says they are rated at 10 lbs. carrying load..Since It is not my commuter bike, I have no problem with it. On the older road bike, I usually need only store a heavy jacket for early AM rides in the winter- and need a place to peel it off when it is warmer about noon....... No way I am going to despoil my newer Klein road bike with a rack...
A commuter bike..That is another situation..I need panniers over my rack for that. I just prefer my bike to feel light. Does not ride the same with 40 lbs. on its rear. Usually my load to work is probably no more than 15 lbs. So that is acceptable..
Still like the feel of my aluminum road bike in the summer, when I can go out and need not carry a thing, except what is in my wedgie or jersey pockets.