Scrapping under seat pack in favor of pannier rack?

[flanagaj]

After numerous trips I have decided that the 13 litre underseat pack that I use is just not cutting it and have decided to move to a pannier rack with a dry bag or even panniers.

My motivation is 2 fold.

1) On extended trips I struggle to pack enough gear and end up with a rucksack.  Going forward plan will be to put hydration bladder in frame bag and that gear into panniers / dry bag.
2) Seat pack always has a certain amount of sideways sway when out of the saddle. 
3) Once strapped in and under the seat it was annoying if you ever needed to get something out of it unless at destination for the day.

Anyone else made the move and if so, what's a good rack for a carbon 29er frame disc frame without eyelets and QR rear wheel?

[fxpose]

I've gone from using racks and panniers for a number of years to using a seatbag briefly to see what was that all about and back to using racks and panniers again.    I can pack out of camp in less than half the time with R & P's.

[flanagaj]

I've gone from using racks and panniers for a number of years to using a seatbag briefly to see what was that all about and back to using racks and panniers again.    I can pack out of camp in less than half the time with R & P's.

That's great to know and thanks for sharing your experience.  I just need to now try and find a rack that will work with a carbon frame which does not have eyelets.

[AugustWest]

I can't help thinking this is going to be more common.  I think a great option I don't ever really see is the top "lunchbox" type bag on top of a rear rack, but no actual panniers - Jay Petervary actually has a custom bag there.  No issues with width or balance and it stays put.  As of now I only see it done really in the tweed/urban crowd and don't know why it hasn't caught on for bikepacking.

[fxpose]

I use a dedicated bikepacking rig so the racks are permanent components of the bike.

And also instead of a bar roll I use a small front cargo rack (not pannier rack) mounted on my rigid fork.    I can practically strap any sized dry/compression sack on that rack.   No hassle.

[RunRig]

I like my Old Man Mountain pioneer racks; I highly recommend them (and the guy that works there and makes the racks)...also obtained some Ortlieb panniers on clearance at REI (though I would've gladly paid full price).

[Wandering by Bicycle]

Depending on the trip, I use a few different setups -  a Revelate Pika, a Carradice Camper Longflap, or a drybag strapped to the top of my rack. This summer in Alaska I was carrying trekking gear in addition to my bikepacking kit, so I needed more room than most seatbags provide. The setup I used was an Old Man Mountain Sherpa rack (Pugsley specific) with a 65 liter Sea to Summit Big River dry bag strapped to the top. The dry bag doubles as a liner for my ULA Circuit backpack, which I stored inside while riding. Rolled way down it's not much longer than the top of the rack and it can be rolled smaller or expanded as needed. With this setup I had more than enough storage capacity, the bike handled fine - like a heavy mountain bike, and there are no panniers in the way on narrow trails or hike-a-bikes. Also, for extra water capacity while desert riding, MSR Dromedery bags can be added where panniers would normally go.

For bikes without eyelets the Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack may be an option, although I wouldn't carry a lot of weight on it.

[flanagaj]

The large dry bag on the rear rack looks like it works really well.  That looks like the way to go to me.  More storage space and won't sway around like an under seat saddle bag.

[Hayduke]

I guess it just depends on how much you need/want to carry :- )

I seriously considered a rack on my Surly ECR, but a rack is 2 1/4 lbs before you get panniers on it. I'm 50 and a born again hard believer in going light, so my backpacking camp gear is my canoe tripping gear is my bikepacking gear :- )

No problem self supporting 4 nights out of a Terrapin and Sweetroll with two cargo cages in the triangle and one on each fork and a simple hydration pack.

That said my Revalate Terrapin was a close fit on a size large frame and my 33" inseam. I've got about 2" between the back tire and seatpack. For lots of folks riding 29ers and 29+ bikes a rack may be the only way to go.

[eec]

I had a Thule Pack n Pedal rack, but went to a seat bag. Thinking about going back to the rack. You can mount it to any bike on either the front or back. I had no problems with it staying put. I think there's a weight limit of 25kg on top and 18kg on side, if you have the panniers that go with it. I really like it, very versatile.

[black_labb]

but a rack is 2 1/4 lbs before you get panniers on it.

How about a lighter rack? I've accumulated about 6 months of touring including 4 months of rough loaded riding with a Blackburn EX-1 that weighs 570g, a weight comparable to the average seat pack. Strap a dry bag to the top and you are pretty equivalent in terms of weight. A lot of heavy racks are heavy because they have complex designs and more tubes so that you can hang your pannier in different ways, adjust heights etc. All these extra tubes add weight without adding much strength. Of course keep in mind the weight you are carrying. If you want to use a 20L drybag to fit a bit more than your underseat bag and avoid sway a less solid rack is probably more than adequate. If you want to pack all your gear including the kitchen sink still full of dishwater on the rear rack before riding a downhill track then you might need a more solid rack.

I've a seat bag as it is suitable for some trips I have planned and the Trek stache I plan to do it on doesn't have provisions for racks but I haven't used it yet so I can't really compare.

[Hayduke]

I don't have any rack hate in my heart, there's lot's of ways to haul gear :- )

[Shindig]

I came to the same conclusion about seat packs. I use a suspension post which makes it rub the tyre even more.  I went back to a rack.  Here's my setup.

[offroute]

I've had success using panniers. Also using more current "bikepacking" bag designs. Also using a combination. They all work; all have pros/cons.

I think Hayduke is on it with asking the question about how much one wants to bring. You will bring/carry more stuff with panniers, simply because you can. Nothing wrong with that. If you want to go farther in a day or get your mileage with less effort, light is right. If you want to easily load up with a week's food without killing your ass, panniers are the way to go IMO.

I've found that I prefer to wear a small pack. I can set down my bike and take a break away from it with water, food and a clothing layer already on my person. This little pack also takes temporary cargo overflow. That's my answer to the extra space/weight of panniers and a rack. (And I'm in no way any-pannier.)

[flanagaj]

I think if you go with a rack and 13 litre dry bag mounted on the rack you are comparable with an undermount seat pack, but have the benefits of.

1.  Does not sway
2.  Ease of removal
3.  Flexibility to strap other stuff to rack mid ride should you need to.

Since posting, I have purchased a rack which fixes to the bike using the QR skewer and a seat post clamp with eyelet mounts on it.  I can't wait to get out and give it a whirl :-)

[bikeny]

Yup, nothing wrong with using a rack and dry bag or panniers. All depends on the terrain you are riding and how much stuff you need to pack. I think the shorter and more technical the ride, the better the seatbag setup works, as long as you are traveling light. Seems to me a rack and hardware are more likely to break and leave you stranded. Longer dirt road type trips are perfect for a light rack and drybag.

[Hayduke]

Here's Mi'Gordita loaded for 5 nights with 30-40 degree lows, minus 1, 64oz. water bottle that was getting filled when I took the pic I also wear a 3 liter Camelback that has a small pouch. I could go longer between chow resupplies pretty easy by adding a dry bag on top of the bars but haven't had too yet.   

[bmike-vt]

That's a good looking rig.

[flanagaj]

No sooner did I switch over to panniers and a rack because of the annoying seat pack sway when I just discover Specialized have brought a pack that addresses the problem.  http://www.cyclingabout.com/new-specialized-burra-burra-bikepacking-bags/

I also purchased a Diverge in May and would have gone with the specialized sequoia, but that only came out for 2017 :-(

[fxpose]

I chuckled when I saw the name of the new Specialized bags.    Bura-bura means swaying in Japanese.   I don't think they'll do well in Japan...:lol: