Seat post racks?
 

Hi guys,

I've got a bike with no provisions for mounting a standard rear rack.

I'm wondering if the seat post mounted racks are worth anything? The quick release models by delta are tempting, but I havent held one in my hand to know if they are junk or not.

I've heard a little bit about them swaying like pendulums and twisting around, but that was from somebody that wanted me to buy a touring bike.

Thoughts, opinions, expierences?

Thanks

They work fine for 20lbs and under loads.

Actually, I've used a beam rack to carry my tent and sleeping bag on quite a few overnights and it works fine.

As for the swaying and twisting, if you cinch down the quick release properly there won't be a problem.

I have one on my beater, and it doesn't sway at all, but it would be better if you have a sloping top tube and long seat post. On my bike with a flat top tube the rack is pretty high under the seat and anything put on top of it doesn't have much room.

I tried one for city use. I hated it with a passion.
Way too flexy.

I've used the Delta Post Haste without the quick release for two years. Is great for running around town on errands, to pick up a few things at store, etc.. With quick release would be even handier. I have it on tight and experience no flex.

I had this problem.
Rode a Felt F-65 and wanted to do some supported touring or light loaded touring
quizzed dozens of riders for ideas.
Visited some yahoo group dedicated to ultra light touring
(even exchanged notes with a fellow who toured with the same bike and some post mounted rack and lots of plastic bags and space blankets)

in the end, this is how i resolved the issue:

I got a bike with rack mounts and other braze ons

I've got one that bolts on the the seat post and has a frame that comes down on either side of my back wheel. It works well. Just don't use this type if your bike has a carbon seat post....

Trek Interchange
 

I tried out the Trek Interchange seatpost rack just yesterday. I bought it because my wife has a regular Trek Interchange rack and bag for her bike: when we ride together I'd like to be able to carry the bag for her. The Interchange system makes it so the bag has a quick release system for quick and easy installation and removal of the bag.

As another poster mentioned, even with the rack attached as low on the seatpost as possible, the rack is pretty high up, and there isn't much room under the seat. Still, there's enough room for the bag, and I'm glad to have it. On sale it was only $20 so I'm definitely happy with the value. It specifies a max capacity of 25 pounds and that seems pretty reasonable.

The Trek Interchagne does not have quick release mounting to the seatpost, but it can go on and off fairly quickly simply by slightly loosening the four bolts that secure it to the seatpost, removing the seatpost, and sliding it off. I've never used the quick release variety, but I was impressed by how securely this mounted to my seatpost.

-D

It would not be fun to have a carbon seat post snap... while your riding it... and have 25lbs lever the nose of the saddle straight up! :eek:

Maybe this will help. A few years back I rode down the coast with a friend. I had the same isssue as you before I left. I did not have a touring bike and used a seatpost rack that was rated at 25 lbs. Everything was going well until about 30 miles outside of San Fran. My buddy and I went into the market to buy get some food. When we left I put the what I bought in the back and as I walked the bike over the curb the rear wheel hit the ground. The rack broke like a twig at the weld. Guess the snapple and sandwhich put me over the limit. We had about a week to go to LA. Luckily there was a camping store across the street. I bought a large backpack and put all my stuff in it. The campsite was only about 5 miles down the road. In the end, I sent back most of my stuff from the post office and toughed it out with only a sleeping bag and the clothes on my back. Lets just say that by the time I got to LA I was pretty ripe. I guess the moral of my story is that a seatpost rack can go at anytime. If you are in the wrong place or actually riding the bike your trip could end on a sour note. I plan to tour again this summer and I now have an actaul touring bike. Also, you might want to consider a trailer like a BOB yak that attaches at the rear triangle.

Thanks for the reviews guys.

Thats no fun Nickelbus! Was it a Delta Post Haste?

I did not realize that they made them to hold panniers:

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=30



Probably pushing my luck, as the panniers they offer are 900 cubic inches per side... plus the top bag. Not quite the same volume as a back pack.

I'll have to do some checking around at some of the other shops to see one up close and personal.

or you could just get flat bar stock and drill a few holes in it and make your own rack...... and no you dont need eyelets, you just use your axle bolts to secure it. too flexy still? twist the barstock.

Good point,

The frame has track ends and is not drilled for a rear brake. It would require a bit of pondering to set up!

The plastic P-clip type rear racks are interesting, because they allow for some of this... but plastic is easy to break.

My experience was much as nm+'s. I bought an Old Man Mountaun Sherpa rack. Fits frames without eyelets,very stout.

http://oldmanmountain.com/

Check out some of the larger saddlebags by Carradice.

If all you want is a small rack then the Tubus Fly is a pretty nice alternative.

I think the seat post rack, especially with 4 bolts fixing system, is pretty reliable within established weight limit if the rack has not hidden defects. I am going to use it on mtn bike with disk brakes, because my wife does not carry more than 10 kg load anyway. Of course, she does not refuse to do it, but our speed decreases in this case.:)
One man had a problem with the seat post rack because he exceeded the load limit. Bike frame has cracked at the weld at the upper point of rear triangle.

I tried a seatpost rack for raingear and extra clothes. It caused front wheel shimmy, could no longer ride no hands. This is a 62 cm steel frame.
The high positioning of the weight, only 6-8 pounds and the long lever arm of the rack brought out the worst.
YMMV,
Lee