I am looking for recommendations for a commuter bag to stick on my bike. It needs to fit a couple of lever arch folders, a change of clothing and a couple of locks. What do you suggest? Anything to avoid?
real waterproof panniers
carradice nelson longflap saddlebag...............classic.
How far? Any distance, panniers rule.
I have Deuter rucksack which is good, but sweaty back sent me back to panniers.
I also have a Howies courier bag (and a pair of my sisters jeans, natch :-)) but it's not good for my mixed 15 mile commute.
As brassneck says - I only go a few miles now so a rucksac is what I use - more than 3 or 4 miles then panniers
ortlieb panniers here, best bike buy in ages, I can carry 50ltrs of stuff without gettign sweaty, and the weight seems less noticable than if tis on my back, handling can get quirky though!
So which ortleib panniers do people recommend?
Given that I want waterproof I wont look anywhere other than ortleib.
handling can get quirky though!
I tried panniers, and really tried to liek them, but overall didn't get on with them in terms of how they made the bike feel, esp climbing. I'm not carrying a lot on a day to day basis so went back to a rucsac.....
nelson wont be big enough ton , i have a longflap camper and wouldnt try and cram all that in ....
I went from backpack to panniers and now back to backpack.
Why?
Move to panniers did all the good things that people about list, including the ability to carry loads of stuff. But the design of my frame means that the rack was hard to make stable.
Move back to backpack is caused by (1) rack bosses on frame are knackered from taking rack on and off too often (commuter bike is winter road trainer) (2) new route is partly though countryside without hedges, so gets windy - the panniers always seemed to act like a sail (3) I vary my route, including towpath and slightly rougher ground - bike rides better with the weight on me.
If I could fit a decent sized sadlebag on my bike (unlikely - frame is too small), then that strikes me as being the best compromise.
Oh, and my commute varies from 15-20 miles each way.
Given that I want waterproof I wont look anywhere other than ortleib.
Don't discount Carradice's CarraDry panniers - excellent, waterproof and British made.
or
http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/24SevenSeries/
depending on personal preference.
The problem with racks and panniers is that they ruin the bike if you want to go for a ride on the way home, however if you have a specific commuter bike and are never going to be hitting the trails on the way home they are the best option, in which case ortileb.
Alternate option - that I mostly use unless I forget at the start of the week - big holdall with work clothes, towels etc. dropped off on Monday by car, picked up Friday for a weekend refresh.
Means you can can ride unencumbered should you fancy a detour on the way home. A few simple tools and a tube can fit in a back pocket. I'm lucky enough to be able to choose between a few off and on road routes so sometimes it's the road bike, sometimes the desginated commuter bike (rigid mtb).
Also means a day off before the weekend, not that I get to ride much at weekends these days.
I couldn't afford Ortlieb went for Altura with natty flouresecent raincovers, and put my stuff in poly bags inside if it looks wet out.. works but it's a bit of a faff.
Putting in a good word for altura dryline range panniers here. Plenty waterproof if you don't drag them through rivers on your way to work
The problem with racks and panniers is that they ruin the bike if you want to go for a ride on the way home, however if you have a specific commuter bike and are never going to be hitting the trails on the way home they are the best option, in which case ortileb.
True, but I found carrying a bag was worse for my back and spoilt my fun just as much. I look on panniers as training for when hub gears rule 🙂
Timbuk 2 Messenger bag - the bigger the better. Get the extra padded strap - been using mine daily for 19 years and it's going very strong, waterproof + you don't get a hot back like a ruck sack.
Ortlieb Pro Rollers, nice and light and very tuff, will act as a float if you have to cross a river! (very useful on the average commute)