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I've recently started commuting on a singlespeed road bike and want to be able to avoid using a backpack to carry laptop, shirt, etc to work.
Due to being having singlespeed rear spacing and no rack mounts, I presume that both standard and QR racks are a no go.
I've seen various options in both the topeak beamrack and carradice SQR range which might work.
Does anyone have any experience with these or other options?
I've one of the Carradice SQR bags and while it looks completely Heath Robinson (putting it kindly) it's actually pretty good. I've used it for a week's credit card touring, i.e. stopping in B&Bs, out on the Western Isles. For my commuting it was way too big.
There's a "slim" model which I think might be better suited to what you want as it's wider and could probably take a small laptop - at a guess 15" might be as big as you could fit.
The Carradice SQR bags are very good, although I have just stopped using mine in favour of an Alpkit Koala Exo Rail system.
The Carradice is less faff but only because it doesn’t really matter how it’s packed.
Strongly advise against the Beam rack.
Wobbles like crazy
Probably could fit a rack if you wanted. eg with P clips, or a seatclamp with rack mounts.
Most racks are fairly springy, can bend the legs in or out a bit of needed.
Thule do a rack that uses ratchet straps that should clamp to any frame, can’t remember how adjustable it is for width. reassuringly expense if buying new.
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/bike-accessories/rear-bike-racks/thule-tour-rack-_-100090
Thanks for the comments.
@Piemonster - what prompted the change to the Alpkit Koala Exo rail system? Any advantages over the carradice for commuting, or just more versatile for bike packing too?
I've done the carradice thing, camper longflap etc but not really ideal for a laptop. Works best full of clothes and even then you have to leave the SQL thing on the bike which looks a little odd.
Also used one of those seat post Klickfix attachments to a bar bag, that worked pretty well as a day bag, but again might struggle with a laptop, this might work.
Its also not impossible to fit a rack with the right seatpost collar and p-clips. Just use some cheap panniers you dont mind having to replace ocasionally.
Or just go old school a get a front basket!
Don’t know what you’re doing with your beam rack but mine has been rock solid. Will just about take a change of clothes and shoes, but always better if you can keep shoes at work. I fold clothes flat, put into a carrier bag, then roll them.
The QR can sometimes be felt by the thigh on some of my seatposts, depending on angle. I used to use a bolt with it mounted permanently.
Avoid the MTX bags with drop down panniers, the hard sided bag is big enough and very stable.
It won’t take a laptop, for that I have an Ortlieb Downtown that mounts to a proper rack on other bikes. I also use a Brompton front bag and a rucksack. Panniers are always nicer than a rucksack.
I used to mount the Downtown on a rack on the Paddy Waggon. I replaced the seat collar with one that has two mounting points. Then used the mudguard eyelets. This worked fine, but the chain stays are short so heel clearance was an issue unless the bag was mounted at 45 degrees. On the cross bike it fits perfectly. M-Part make the seat collar and it is very good.