Portis

I want to add a rear rack to my bike and also a "trunk" of some sort to carry some spare clothes, etc. for my early morning winter rides. I want a place to store extra clothing when i get hot and also have some extra stuff for when it gets colder.

I don't plan to use it for commuting because i don't commute. I just go out every morning for a couple hours and ride. Will the rack hold up to the rough gravel roads that i ride on? Also can someone recommend a "trunk" or bag to mount on the rack? Thanks.

twahl

I don't see why the rack wouldn't hold up, mine is pretty cheap and it seems to be pretty sturdy, as sturdy as anything else on the bike. I have this trunk from Performance and I'm real happy with it. I'm sure that some of the other bags may have more room, but I caught these on sale for like $22 a few weeks ago. It's got an expansion roof, some dividers for the inside, a top pouch, and side pouches. Pluse the carry handle (common feature maybe?) is kind of nice for pulling it off and taking it inside with you if you want. It's also got a reflective strip on the back. As far as capacity, I have carried a rain jacket, camera, power bars, wallet, cell phone, maps in the top pouch, bag of trail mix, and tool kit/2 spare tubes all at the same time. I'd suggest getting something you can check out in person though, I have a Performance shop 1/2 a mile away so I was able to, but configurations are different and you'll want one that works for how you want to pack and what you want to carry.

javagrrl

I have that same trunk as twahl, and am also pretty happy with it. This morning I carried a work light (the yellow home depot kind), my wallet and chequebook, a 6" framing square, cell phone, lunch, keys, garage clickie, and an extra jersey, in addition to the patch/CO2 kit, road rash first aid kit (have it, won't need it-- don't have it, chances of wiping out upped exponentionally), spare batteries, and extra headlight that live in there all the time. My rack is Jandd, rated for 40 lbs-- I paid too much for it, but it does the job. If I need to carry more than the trunk holds, I add my pannier, but since you don't plan to commute (why not?), you probably won't have to worry about it.

Portis

I need my car for my job. I wish i could commute to work but I can't. How does that bag attach? I have heard that i should look for buckles instead of velcro attachment. Also how about rack recommendations?

Retro Grouch 

I don't think that you'll have any trouble with the rack itself. I strongly recommend using either locktite or nylock nuts on the bolts that hold the rack at the dropouts.

My wife and I have been using the same velcro-on trunk rack with our tandem for so many years that I can't remember when we actually bought it. Ten years maybe? Anyway, I simply don't understand the admonition to avoid velcro in favor of a strap-on model. We certainly haven't had any issues with ours.

javagrrl

The trunk attaches with velcro. I carry heavy and unweildy stuff in or on it a lot, and haven't had any issues (knock on wood). Plus, I can shove something between the trunk and the rack and still get the trunk on sturdily with the velcro if I need to.

You might want to ask the folks in the touring and commuter sections about racks, since that way you'll get a wider range of weight limits, attachment options, and construction.

Diggy18

Hey how about the Tailrider from Arkel? It looks like it has some thoughtful design points.

I've been thinking too that I could use a trunk for the same reasons. I'm usually on the road by 5:30 and back home by 7. It definitely gets noticabley warmer once the sun comes over the horizon, and it would be nice to have a place to stick a jacket. And for longer rides I think it would be a good idea to carry a sweater, too. Especially once it really gets cold.

super-douper

I've got the same trunk as twahl, I've had it for a couple months. I've also got the rear rack from performance. It's rated at around 40lbs or so, but it can hold a helluva lot more than that. I once lowered my seat and sat on the rack and rode around lowrider style. It held my entire body weight just fine, but I didn't ride like that for long and didn't hit any bumps.

The only thing about the performance trunk is that now the walls are starting to lose their stiffness and it sways back and forth quite a bit. This just started happening recently, now I just run a bungee over the top of it and it holds still. That trunk can hold a lot of stuff, i'm really happy with it. Not bad for $20!

Portis

Anyone using this bag?

Zin

Ranger, I have several friends that run that trunk bag. They love them and have had no problems. I run the Nashbar Panniers. No problems in over a year of commuting with them. (speaks to quality). This will be the trunk bag I purchase when the time comes.