Lightweight simple commuter rack/bag combo Recommendations?

[Likes2ridefar]

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[harblhat]

My favourite minimalist rack is the Tubus Fly. Made in Germany, simple, and sleek. Perfect for commuting when you're just carrying lighter saddlebags around.

Regarding saddle bags, even though I commute with very little stuff and enjoy a light setup, I still use a single Ortlieb Back Roller City. Weather resistance aside, I know that if the bag takes a tumble it (and I) won't care. I put up with the weight penalty for the quality.

[Veloo]

Do you have a commuter/ urban LBS close to you?
For my rack, I got whatever had the best cheap/ robust combination for the rear. it's probably mid level - not the cheapest but not a $200 rack.

One of my bags is a Basil brand shoulder bag with clips and padding designed to protect a laptop but also has good space for other stuff. Has a built in rain cover but as you said, you may not need that.
I do like the Basil brand and have bought several products from them. The bag I mentioned may be discontinued now but they have tons of other good stuff if you can find someone carrying it in your area.

https://www.basil.com/en/

[josephr]

dunno if they're the lightest, but the stuff from axiom fit the bill at a good pricepoint and durable construction...by far the best prices are found on ebay....customer service is lousy too, but, really...who cares when it comes to racks/panniers?

if you want to be super cool, Clay Bush makes stuff from old car seat belts and they're really awesome. He's been featured in a few cycling magazines and I've had the opportunity to check his stuff out at an arts/crafts festival and its very well made...maybe a little heavy, but he's a bike guy.

http://salvagegoodstn.com/about

[Burning Pines]

I’m a fan of a small front platform rack with a wald basket and bag. Easier to take the bag out and with you than a rando setup it seems like. I don’t prefer rear panniers because you need to balance weight between two to keep the bike riding ok.

My current setup is an outer shell basket bag in a wald 137 basket on a simworks obento rack. There are lighter and cheaper racks that would work but the simworks is super solid on rough ground because it uses four stays. The outer shell is really nice and pretty close to waterproof though I guess you don’t need that.

[rnhood]

I use the Bontrager Lightweight rack with an interchange bag (there are several models). Super simple, lightweight and easy to use. Their interchange bags just clip on and off effortlessly, making commuting or credit card touring a breeze.

[sjbraun]

You might want to check with Duncan at Transit Cycles. He's located in Tucson and has a lot of experience with Surly bikes and racks and bags.
Here's a write up on the shop.

[donevwil]

Tailfin is worth checking out, I have one from their Kickstarter. Expensive, but it looks like they've come up with some cheaper options if that's a concern. Mounts in seconds, easily removable, but the real benefits are the light weight and stiffness. I've since ditched all my metal racks save the one on my beater commuter.

[Likes2ridefar]

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[Kyle h]

Originally Posted by donevwil

Tailfin is worth checking out, I have one from their Kickstarter. Expensive, but it looks like they've come up with some cheaper options if that's a concern. Mounts in seconds, easily removable, but the real benefits are the light weight and stiffness. I've since ditched all my metal racks save the one on my beater commuter.

My wife commutes with the carbon tail fin and bag and loves it. Super quick to take on or off, super light, but also perfectly capable of holding everything she needs. They’re fantastic.

[Likes2ridefar]

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[charliedid]

I'd buy a Tubus Vego Evo and an Arkel Gt-18 if the computer will fit. Plenty of other great options from Arkel but seems you don't need much for your needs. The Commuter Urban could work but it's really just a computer bag with out much flexibility for storage. The Metropolitan is a great bag but likely larger than you need but bomber and flexible size wise. Hard to beat IMO

[josephr]

Originally Posted by Likes2ridefar

Those are neat bags. Never seen them!

I know, right? I wish I had a bigger picture!