pwolffe said:I did something similar a few years back using a Trek 8000 (aluminium, no suspension) with front and rear panniers made by Ostrich. I have not had the experience of towing anything. I might try it sometime, but I like the idea of having everything between the front and rear tires; I reckon it helps with maneuverability, provides some protection for the legs against vehicles, bright-colored or reflective panniers good for visibility, and I like being able to access everything without getting off the bike. The front bags were easy to remove, with the rear ones requiring a few extra unclip actions.
The benefits of a trailer might be less drag, easier to detach for joyrides, maybe easier to keep water out (but I like to have one of four bags be for wet stuff; canvas bags with rain covers, vs. Ortlieb-type that have excellent water protection but don't let water out, either), less weight on your bike tires, and more room to affix gadgets to if that's your bent.
Just a question- are you sure you would _really_ need to take off a rack. Panniers, sure, a trailer, sure, but a rack isn't that heavy and really shouldn't get in the way too much. The panniers will just clip off.
If you feel you really need to take the rack itself off (which I think is bizarre, but then I am not a mountain biker) then no question, you need to go with a trailer, removing and reaffixing a rack every day/few days would drive me bonkers.
EDIT: Having said that, thinking it over, if you really need to be rid of the rack, it is generally only around four screws and while I don't think I've ever removed mine, it probably wouldn't actually be too much effort, and they are not the sort of things that require ultra-precise alignment. Only one way to find out, get a rack and see how you find it.
