Need rack and panniers for bike without braze-ons

[Z]

I need a rack and panniers for commuting. Not too much stuff: my laptop, a notebook, and a few sundry items... but my road bike doesn't have the braze-ons necessary to attach a normal touring rack.

Has anyone had experience with those racks that just attach to the post? Do they work? (They usually are rated around 20-25 pounds) Are there other ways to attach a "real" rack?

Thanks!
Z

[Zog]

Most or the seatpost only racks are pretty strong. I have an old one (I think it's, a now defunct, Blackburn) hanging in the garage that I use occasionally when cruising on rail trails and the like. I can strap on a Playmate size cooler and carry lunch and cold ones for the group. I don't know about pannier use with these though; you may have to put every thing above the rack. Mounting a milk crate on one seems to make alot of sense. If your leaving it on the bike it doesn't matter, but mine needs the seatpost removed to mount it and it's a pain in the ass because I don't use quick release seat post bolt. Get one that mounts to the seatpost with out removal for ease of use, (but if your commuting and leaving the bike you may want one that is harder to pilfer.)

[turch]

After considering alternatives I went with a backpack. There are planty to choose from and you don't end up with awkward loads or a misbalanced steed.

[MikeT]

Second the backpack suggestion. Yes, seatpost racks technically can carry a lot of weight (some are rated at 35 lbs even), but I tried a model designed to mount paniers and it just didn't cut it. With no braces down to the dropouts the thing was very unstable with any sizable load in the panniers. It twisted and swayed side to side enough to rub the tire sometimes and it was tough to keep the front wheel on the ground. If you are riding a hardtail, you might be able to kluge dropout braces from aluminum tubing bought at Home Depot, but I don't think it's worth the trouble.

I got a CamelBack Peak-Bagger, filled the 100 oz bladder and stuffed it full of heavy tools and equipment, some of which stuck out the top because it was too long. It must have weighed about 30lbs. The bike rode a little different but was never unstable.

Hi Z

At the risk of sounding silly, have you considered a child seat? They hold a lot of weight, and you can buckle your stuff in, and it all stays above the road debris and most have built in fenders to keep the wet stuff away. Just a thought

[Zog]

I rec'd a new Nashbar catalog a few days ago; in it was a seatpost clamping rack that had cages on the out side to hold panniers off the rear wheel. Looks like just what your looking for.