BIKE: Luggage Rack or Baskets better?

[Lane S. Wimberley]

Hi John.  Welcome to Austin, and welcome to the list.

A moutain bike with nobbies replaced by slicks, a rack and a good
Jandd commuter bag served me well for five years and many thousands of
miles of commuting, errand-running, shopping, etc.  (I should figure
out sometime how many foot-pounds of crap I hauled around in that
time...)

I will say that I _just_ transitioned away from my old mountain bike
(Trek 6000) to a new Trek 520 touring bike as my commuter, and I
really love the touring bike.  Lighter and faster than my clunky old
mountain bike, it is a joy to ride.

Regarding bags, there was some discussion on this list about bags a
few months ago; you might check the forum archives.  I recall that
there was general consensus about bags that you get what you pay for.
Good bags can be quite expensive (seeming especially so to the
neophyte), but are well worth the money.  My Jandd -- panier-like
commuter bag, hangs off the rack and has surprising capacity -- cost
something like $80.  But, the Jandd bags, while reasonably
water-resistant, are not water-proof.  Others mentioned that they had
been quite happy with some water-proof bags, the brand name of which I
can't remember.  Again, check the archives for that discussion.

I agree with Michael about the CG issues.  Having the weight lower on
the frame really affords much better stability.  Also, think about if
you take a spill; in a bag, your stuff is likely to be relatively
intact, where as in an open basket or crate, it might disperse.  Also,
you stand a better chance of keeping things dry in a bag than in an
open basket or crate, although I suppose if you're careful to always
wrap your stuff in plastic bags, you might be OK either way.

I hope that you will find commuting as brilliantly rewarding and
enjoyable as I have.  There will be hurdles, but with a positive
attitude, determination and perseverance, nothing can stop you.  The
payoff is huge: you'll be as fit as a horse.  This list and Michael
Bluejay's web site are invaluable sources of information on all sorts
of things, including routes, safe cycling, etc.  There are also a few
safe cycling courses offered around town, like the one offered by Mike
Librick.

-Lane, who is really loving his new commute to I-35 and Ben White,
despite the fact that he has a flat this morning after only 55 miles
on the broken-glass-and-nail-strewn route...

John SomdeCerff writes:
> 	Hi.  I'm new to the list and to Austin.  I'd like to make my mountain 
> bike more useful for commuting and getting groceries.  To do this I need 
> to be able to carry clothes, groceries, etc.
> 	So, which works better - a luggage rack with a milk crate attached to 
> the top, or the folding rear side baskets?
> 	Thanks.
> 	John Somdecerff
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Get on or off this list here:  http://BicycleAustin.info/list




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Lane Wimberley             8303 N. MoPac, Suite A-300  Austin, TX 78759
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