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commuting q - what ...
 

[Closed] commuting q - what bag / rucsac ?

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[#811902]

opinions ?


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:34 am
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Have a look here on a previous post - may help a little 🙂

[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/waterproof-rucksack-recomendations ]http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/waterproof-rucksack-recomendations[/url]


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:36 am
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Prob repeating what's been said on Foxyriders post, but I use a Deuter Bike 1 with a Respro Hump (IIRC, I don't think it is a Hump, but something similar) waterproof/hi viz cover which is a lot better than the rain cover that comes with the bag and has a light loop


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:44 am
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I get on well with my blacks roc 35 air.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:47 am
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i used to use a 25L berghaus rucksack, but now have an ortlieb back roller classic pannier (a pair of them if the day requires it). i find them much preferable, as i can fit more in, and it keeps the back a bit more ventilated.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:49 am
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crumpler courier bag. by far the comfiest bag ive used on a bike and essential for the summer as you dont get sweaty back syndrome. water proof, decent size and cool looking too what more do you need?


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:51 am
 ojom
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Ortlieb cor13 is good.
As is the Velocity.

Panniers are best though we find.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 10:57 am
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This may be of use;
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/psa-mountain-warehouse-discount-rucksac-content

😉


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 1:41 pm
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i use one of these alpkit drybag type rucksack, perfect for the british summer and winter 🙂


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 1:49 pm
 Keva
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karrimore 25L rucksack works for me. I can fit all my stuff in it year round.

Kev


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 1:56 pm
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what about messenger bags ?
less / more comfy ?


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 3:16 pm
 ojom
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Messenger bags although making you look 'cool' are pretty hopeless for commuting. You have to keep them very tight on the body to stop them rolling about and plus the weight is poorly distributed.

Any distance to your commute more than i would say 3 miles, deserves a proper rucksack or panniers.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 3:18 pm
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A basket is ace for shorter commutes.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 3:27 pm
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what about messenger bags ?
less / more comfy ?

Depends what you're going to be doing. As thebikechain suggests they're not great for any real mileage with any real weight in it.

I have one and I love it- usually it doesn't have any real weight in it and I just find it a far more useful thing to have with when I'm out and about (for lights, lock, jacket, bit of light shopping etc) than a rucksack.

So for general getting-about-on-your-bike stuff they're great, for 'proper' commuting maybe not.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 3:32 pm
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[i]So for general getting-about-on-your-bike stuff they're great, for 'proper' commuting maybe not. [/i]

aye...love my courier bag but for 'proper' commuting - only one answer. Ortlieb panniers.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 3:54 pm
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Riding less than 8 miles? Wear your work clothes.

As you then don't need to take much with you on your commute, you won't need a big bag.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:04 pm
 ojom
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[quote}Riding less than 8 miles? Wear your work clothes.

As you then don't need to take much with you on your commute, you won't need a big bag.

8 miles can be very sweaty...


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:06 pm
 ojom
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evidently i cannot use the buttons here very well.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:07 pm
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I'm gonna get flamed for this, and it is very much personal taste, but.....

... I tried panniers, didn't get on with them and went back to a rucksac inside a month(!) There, I've said it 😉

It was mostly on climbs - there's 5 short/sharp climbs each way on my commute which I've found are best tackled at a steady pace out of the saddle. The extra inertia caused by "rolling" the panniers with the bike up the climbs made it feel very slow. Don't get the same effect with the rucksac as the upper body is relatively still. Horses-for-courses.... Obv, all IMHO...... etc.....


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:13 pm
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courier bag most days on a 5 mile commute

if I do my longer 40 mile commute option then pockets only because [url=

all about performance[/url]


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:14 pm
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all IME, road commutes

<8 miles with grocery shopping options: courier bag
>8 miles winter: courier bag as you can stash waterproofs etc
>8 miles spring to autumn: largish bumbag, enough space for sarnies and pants


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:33 pm
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8 miles can be very sweaty...

Sweat isn't actually harmful, despite common perceptions.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:39 pm
 ojom
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no. but depending on your workplace and clothing it may be socially unacceptable to turn up with a damp shirt.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:41 pm
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As I mentioned on another thread about bags the other day, I've got a Vaude Splash Air 20+5 & it's great.
The curved back really helps to keep your bag a bit cooler than other bags (similar thing to Deuter bags I think), it's expandable and comes with a bright orange rain cover.
They do a bigger one that's 25+5 (I'm guessing that's the litres capacity with 5 extra in the expandable bit.

Only about £45.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:45 pm
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i'm probably averagely sweaty, but there's no way i'd ride my minimum 6 miles, often more, commute in clothes i was going to wear at work. i've always taken a bag with shirt tie and underwear and suits at the office, works well.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:47 pm
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no. but depending on your workplace and clothing it may be socially unacceptable to turn up with a damp shirt.

Ride slower? 🙂

Shirts dry faster than the time it takes to get changed.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:47 pm
 ojom
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plus, damp underpants are singularly the most unpleasant item of clothing imaginable.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:49 pm
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I try not to piss myself on my ride to work 🙂


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:57 pm
 ojom
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its unavoidable somedays with the morons on the edinburgh streets. seriously... they just do not look.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 4:58 pm
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I try not to piss myself on my ride to work

its unavoidable somedays with the morons on the edinburgh streets. seriously... they just do not look.

Before they piss? On you? Thats messed up mate!


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 5:03 pm
 ojom
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i see what you did there.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 5:03 pm
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Posted : 25/08/2009 7:55 pm
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it's basically a 15 mile commute each way.
rucsac wins - will leave clothes at work 😀


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 8:07 pm
 juan
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Any distance to your commute more than i would say 3 miles, deserves a proper rucksack or panniers.

Well I beg to differ. My timbuk2 medium for my 14kms commute will take food/spare/waterproof/purse/change of clothes and a laptop if I need it without any trouble...

However how can someone not get sweaty in 8 miles of travel is beyond me.
It as to be flat and you have to ride so so slow that you'd better ride faster and get a change of clothes.

Mike crack must be a real fungi farm 😀


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 8:18 pm
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Don't Chris King make one?

Seriously tho the GOSPEL OF CARRYING KIT ON A COMMUTE ACCORDING TO AL:

Get panniers. You'll sweat enough even with them let alone with a courier bag/rucsac on. More comfy too, less tiring, and that matters when you're in your 40's like we are.

thebikechain sold me some top pannierage earlier today.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 8:44 pm
 ojom
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my bangers and baked potato were a success btw. FTW.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 8:46 pm
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I've been using an OMM rucksac with a Respro cover for my commuting needs. It's big enough for laptop, a file or two and a change of clothes if I have to carry stuff, but can be compressed down if not so full. It's waterproof enough for my needs if I put my stuff in plastic bags (17 miles each way at most so about an hour, never got stuff wet in there) and the Respro cover probably helps with making me visible.

Bag weighs next to nothing, is really stable and comfortable and beautifully built - not had any probs in 3 or 4 years of regular use and done several multi-day MTB rides with it as well in that time.

Frankly I always end up sweating like a rapist on the commute whatever I do, even if I do the short version (leave the car at park and ride and do 6 miles into work) so it doesn't actually make much difference having a rucksac on and I can shower at work whatever.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 9:31 pm
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Am still marvelling at my new found waterproof pannier-ness.

sweating like a rapist

*s****s* I only do 5 miles so it's avoidable for me, and I can't shower.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 9:36 pm
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It's all about the saddle bag 🙂 I got a carradice saddle bag and lurves it.


 
Posted : 25/08/2009 11:26 pm