Pannier bag on top of rack

Why are all rack bags only as wide as the rack itself? The bag could
be as wide as the rider, but as far as I can tell nobody makes such a
thing. I ask because I find the typical rack bags shaped wrong and
far too small for my needs.

I've made my own rack bag, basically a regular-size backpack laid flat
on the rack, attached with some metal channels that slide over the
outer rack frame. The backpack shape and size is far better to carry
the work clothes, rain gear, tools, etc. that I carry on my commutes,
but it's just a hack job.

I've found some pannier bags that look much more like what I'm looking
for, such as those at http://bicyclebags.com. How do pannier bags
attach? Can I easily and securely attach these on top of a normal
rack?

Thanks,
Michael

Michael wrote:
: Why are all rack bags only as wide as the rack itself? The bag could
: be as wide as the rider, but as far as I can tell nobody makes such a
: thing. I ask because I find the typical rack bags shaped wrong and
: far too small for my needs.

I think this is because of pannier bags. A large rack bag might
get in the way: I have a Flinger box, which is wider than the
rack, and practically prevents removal of my pannier bags. As
pannier bags hang low and are quite large, it makes sense to use
them...

: I've made my own rack bag, basically a regular-size backpack laid flat
: on the rack, attached with some metal channels that slide over the
: outer rack frame. The backpack shape and size is far better to carry
: the work clothes, rain gear, tools, etc. that I carry on my commutes,
: but it's just a hack job.

One could use something like
http://www.ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lan...ukt=sack-pd350 as
well and just strap it on, but I guess we both have better
solutions already :-)

: I've found some pannier bags that look much more like what I'm looking
: for, such as those at http://bicyclebags.com. How do pannier bags
: attach? Can I easily and securely attach these on top of a normal
: rack?

In my experience, more or less. There are some differences in
attaching pannier bags, depending on the brand. Mine (cheap
ones...) have just two hooks on the top so they hang from the
rack, and then they have a rubber band that goes around some lower
parts of the pannier assembly for keeping them somewhat in the
place as regards sideways movement/position.

--
Risto Varanka | http://www.helsinki.fi/~rvaranka/hpv/hpv.html
varis at no spam please iki fi