As you can see from the picture, I don't have any problems clearing my back wheel. It is also pointless having so much weight high up.
Is there a seatpack that fills this gap? I do a minimum of 2 months a year bikepacking, so homemade bags n straps tend to wear through. I also need the taper by the seatube to clear the thighs.
I am after something that connects to the brake bridge(?), up to the seatpost clamp, then the seat. Or maybe a frame. Not a standard rack.
So basically a pack that is vertical and stable rather than horizontal.
Defiant used to make something like you describe - (the defiant pearl pass, iirc) they attached low on the seat post and then curved up around the saddle to be much more vertical than the norm. I was recommended one when I was first looking at getting a seat pack since it would have solved my tyre clearance issues. Unfortunately it looks like defiant don't exist any more so this isn't over helpful.
I hate when people respond recommending something different than what you've asked....but for 2 months bikepacking every year, I'd definitely consider a rack.
The only alternative I can think of, is to make a harness yourself using some plastic sheets, and combine it with a dry bag.
I did it for mine and it worked out well but had to make several copies as I only managed to buy the material in bulk.
I'd have thought you'll struggle to clear the thighs, unless you also make the dry bag yourself so that it tapers towards the seatpost (along the length of the bag).
Not really a rack, but the tailfin aeropack has been fine for me on the Atlas Mountain as well as in the Peak District (on 40mm narrow tyres).
Unless you're carrying heavy items, I'd consider it. The abundance of space between tyre and saddle would mean being able to pack it to the brim without clashing with the saddle (a problem on small frames)
Could it be worth experimenting with an Alpkit 'Airlok Tapered 13L' dry bag? I reckon you could rotate it to nearer vertical and use the daisy chain webbing to attach it near your seatclamp, then just loop a voile strap around it through your saddle rails. I'd try it with mine, but I've only got short legs and so fook all seat post showing compared to you.
Or as Ton has suggested, I wondered about those Carradice ones too.
Rasta wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 10:04 am
Bunch of Rackers!
This forum is falling apart at the seams.
I don't get the Tailfin rack hype. They look awful IMO, and every event report seems to contain stories of them snapping. Other racks snap too, mind and it could just be that they're instantly recognisable and so get called out. I'm considering an Old Man Mountain Elkhorn rack at the mo FWIW.
Have the Elkhorn racks , the aluminum is soft . Unless you tape up the contact points and adjust the pannier hooks ( Ortlieb gravel ) they will rub thro after a while . And one of the bosses on the leg makes clipping in the pannier a pain. Only plus is that they are flat packable good for flying . Think that the old Sherpa one is better, other half has them. If Tubus make a similar one I will buy it, recon they would move the 3 leg bosses up or down to suit panniers.
Sajama wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 11:16 pm
Have the Elkhorn racks , the aluminum is soft . Unless you tape up the contact points and adjust the pannier hooks ( Ortlieb gravel ) they will rub thro after a while . And one of the bosses on the leg makes clipping in the pannier a pain. Only plus is that they are flat packable good for flying . Think that the old Sherpa one is better, other half has them. If Tubus make a similar one I will buy it, recon they would move the 3 leg bosses up or down to suit panniers.
The Elkhorn is not meant for panniers though, is it? Thus the bosses, rather than their Divide models rails. Thanks for the info though, I've only read and heard positive things about them to date so it's good to hear something to counter that.
If Oldmanmountain had done it's homework the bosses would positioned not to foul other manufacturers gear. Two rack heights and both are a pain. Why call it a rack , a lot of us are into multi day/week /month trips not just an overnight jaunt. All the micro panniers,bags etc are fine when you know what the weather will be for an overnight or weekend. It's getting like groupsets, you are locked into a system that they exploit. Not everyone does the likes of the AMR when away on holiday.
Massa Park by Hola Siesta, on Flickr
