Planner Rack

[andibs]

Just getting in to backpacking and cycling in general. I have most of the gear after years of kayak / canoe camping but struggling to work out how to carry it.

I have a planner rack and some panniers that I bought to do some cycle touring but I don't want to fit the cabinet rack on to my off road bike, a Cannondale Trail 4.

Can anyone recommend a rack that attaches to the seat post and will hold a couple of panniers.

Cheers
Andy

[benp1]

Very possible to buy a seat post mounted rack, but a lot of people don't because they're not the most robust of things. But if the trails are fairly light you'll be fine

Soft luggage is ideal really

But for a first go a Topeak rack is a good place to start

[HaYWiRe]

After witnessing first hand a catastrophic failure more than once (involving luggage falling into and jamming a wheel) I hate to say but a seatpost rack and panniers are usually a recipe for disaster...but that's just what I've seen

If you're not quite lightweight enough to fully utilize soft luggage such as seatbags, strapping drybags on top of a seat post or full rack can work well on easy terrain, and keeps the bike slimmer on tight tracks, panniers tend to be far more secure on full racks that mount to the dropouts

There are a few seatpost racks that get around this with extra arms, but weight and ofcourse cost of such rack means you're better off going down the rackless route to start with, oh and don't forget to put some of the weight up front with a bag on the bars, even with panniers this significantly helps with handling...

.....ever seen a bike wheely because of rear heavy panniers?

[jameso]

Hi Andy, seatpost-mount racks aren't great for off-road use in the long term and can cause frame or seatpost damage but but if you have a long, strong seatpost that sits well down inside the frame it'll be fine for starting out if it's fairly lightly loaded (15lbs tops?), the rack clamp is sitting right on top of the frame / seat post clamp, and you aren't riding like Aaron Gwin.. Just get one with a good clamp that won't swing to the side when riding and the side bars to support a pannier - many don't have them as they're often just used with top-bags / rack packs. The Topeak is a good shout.

[Yorlin]

I know you've said you don't want to fit one.... but a cheap rack mounted to the fittings the bike already has (I googled up the bike) would surely be okay? And would cost less than half of what a decent seatpost rack is. If your not happy with panniers you could strap a drybag/budget rack pack/whatever you like to the top? Would have a lower centre of gravity that a seatpost mounted, and wouldn't swing about...?

[andibs]

Cheers for the feedback and suggestions all. I'll have a play around and probably get some proper luggage next year.

Andy