Commuting bags
Discussion
I'm hoping for a bit of advice, I'm just waiting to pick up my Ridley CX bike and will start commuting to work on it. The plan is for in the winter to run mudguards and the summer not to bother as I'll be using it on and off road.
Now I have a small Oakley MTB bag but that's good enough for a shirt and a sandwich with some tools, and my other choice of bag is a HUGE camelback military day sack.
So I'm interested in what you guys use on the commute, ideally I need to fit a spare tube, tools, lunch and shirt/trousers. I can leave towels, wash gear and shoes at work plus I have an iron there so what's my best option?
Now I have a small Oakley MTB bag but that's good enough for a shirt and a sandwich with some tools, and my other choice of bag is a HUGE camelback military day sack.
So I'm interested in what you guys use on the commute, ideally I need to fit a spare tube, tools, lunch and shirt/trousers. I can leave towels, wash gear and shoes at work plus I have an iron there so what's my best option?
Assuming you've not a mega miles commute, Chrome bags are pretty good: durable and plenty of volume.
HOWEVER, I've always found bags to be a bit "meh": something *always* digs into your back, the straps get on your tits and your back always gets horribly sweaty. I much preferred panniers. Can you run something similar, be it a dedicated rack or one of those seat post mounted racks/bags from Topeak?
HOWEVER, I've always found bags to be a bit "meh": something *always* digs into your back, the straps get on your tits and your back always gets horribly sweaty. I much preferred panniers. Can you run something similar, be it a dedicated rack or one of those seat post mounted racks/bags from Topeak?
Jimbo. said:
Assuming you've not a mega miles commute, Chrome bags are pretty good: durable and plenty of volume.
HOWEVER, I've always found bags to be a bit "meh": something *always* digs into your back, the straps get on your tits and your back always gets horribly sweaty. I much preferred panniers. Can you run something similar, be it a dedicated rack or one of those seat post mounted racks/bags from Topeak?
This is the bike: HOWEVER, I've always found bags to be a bit "meh": something *always* digs into your back, the straps get on your tits and your back always gets horribly sweaty. I much preferred panniers. Can you run something similar, be it a dedicated rack or one of those seat post mounted racks/bags from Topeak?
It does have eyelets for panniers and guards, and I completely agree with the whole bag in the back. My current commute is around 2/3miles so really short however looking to move and that will be around 8-9miles. My only concern at the moment is if I decide to have a play off-road on the commute home how will that affect the ride?
As you may tell I'm new to all this skinny wheel stuff.
For the last 5 or 6 years, I have been using a Deuter Race Air backpack....looks a bit expensive at first, but after a while, you appreciate all the design innovations and built-in advantages.
First main advantage is that it has a 'stand-off' backrest, made of mesh which is held by sprung supports - so basically this is the only bit which is in contact with your back, rather than the bag itself. The advantage of this is that air circulates around it, so you never get a sweaty, damp, uncomfortable back. Especially useful if you commute to work in your work shirt. Same goes for the front straps - made from mesh, so no sweaty damp patches. Has a 'cross chest' strap to link the main supports together, so it never wobbles or flaps around on your back.
Has a facility to fit a water bladder inside, in as much as it has a flap with a route for the drinking tube with little dedicated straps. Has a built-in rain cover. Has a couple of individual, zippered mesh compartments inside for valuables etc. Has some nice little strings and clips outside for clipping and fastening things to.
Most of all, after using it extensively for cycling and hiking - it's still perfect, in fact looking as good as new. So, quite pricey - but one gets what one pays for I guess!
First main advantage is that it has a 'stand-off' backrest, made of mesh which is held by sprung supports - so basically this is the only bit which is in contact with your back, rather than the bag itself. The advantage of this is that air circulates around it, so you never get a sweaty, damp, uncomfortable back. Especially useful if you commute to work in your work shirt. Same goes for the front straps - made from mesh, so no sweaty damp patches. Has a 'cross chest' strap to link the main supports together, so it never wobbles or flaps around on your back.
Has a facility to fit a water bladder inside, in as much as it has a flap with a route for the drinking tube with little dedicated straps. Has a built-in rain cover. Has a couple of individual, zippered mesh compartments inside for valuables etc. Has some nice little strings and clips outside for clipping and fastening things to.
Most of all, after using it extensively for cycling and hiking - it's still perfect, in fact looking as good as new. So, quite pricey - but one gets what one pays for I guess!
I'm waiting for someone to buy a Henty Wingman so I can get an honest review of one, so I think you should buy one of these! http://henty.cc/uk/shop/wingman-backpack/
I'd agree that for a 2-3 mile commute a backpack will be fine. For your prospective 8-9 mile commute I would be looking at a lightweight rack (Tubes Fly) and some panniers.
I seem to get by with front panniers on the rear rack most of the time. Ortlieb rear panniers, for example, seem to be designed for touring rather than commuting so are absolutely humungous.
There are also rucksacks that mount on the seatpost, these' make the centre of gravity of the bike a bit weird but do the job too. You'll need an aluminium seatpost. Union 34 are one firm who make a decent product.
You could also go with a seatpost mounted rack and panniers, I've done this on my CX bike.
I seem to get by with front panniers on the rear rack most of the time. Ortlieb rear panniers, for example, seem to be designed for touring rather than commuting so are absolutely humungous.
There are also rucksacks that mount on the seatpost, these' make the centre of gravity of the bike a bit weird but do the job too. You'll need an aluminium seatpost. Union 34 are one firm who make a decent product.
You could also go with a seatpost mounted rack and panniers, I've done this on my CX bike.
I use either one of these:
https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-20
or one of these:
http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/high-visibility-...
It depends on how much I need to carry and what time of year it is. The Lomo is good in winter and means you don’t need to put one of those reflective covers on them (with debatable benefit tbh)
Both compress/roll down really well when carrying less one way than the other. Crucially though, both are almost totally waterproof. The Alpkit is made from a different material but after a ride back in a downpour I’ve had to wring my socks out before going through the door yet everything inside has been bone-dry.
Both need a bit of compartmentalisation inside but that’s the way I pack anyway.
https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-20
or one of these:
http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/high-visibility-...
It depends on how much I need to carry and what time of year it is. The Lomo is good in winter and means you don’t need to put one of those reflective covers on them (with debatable benefit tbh)
Both compress/roll down really well when carrying less one way than the other. Crucially though, both are almost totally waterproof. The Alpkit is made from a different material but after a ride back in a downpour I’ve had to wring my socks out before going through the door yet everything inside has been bone-dry.
Both need a bit of compartmentalisation inside but that’s the way I pack anyway.
Over the many years (16 or so) of commuting, I've had numerous backpacks of varying degrees of pricing and technical innovations.
Despite some of them having air channels, none of them effectively stops your back from sweating enough to not need a shower at the other end if you're going any distance.
I've had bags from Timberland, Camelback and Deuter as well as cheaper ones and they've all failed at some point due to the zips or the stitching.
However, I've finally bitten the bullet and committed to a Brompton, so I'm quite looking forward to a bag designed to fit on the bike properly.
Despite some of them having air channels, none of them effectively stops your back from sweating enough to not need a shower at the other end if you're going any distance.
I've had bags from Timberland, Camelback and Deuter as well as cheaper ones and they've all failed at some point due to the zips or the stitching.
However, I've finally bitten the bullet and committed to a Brompton, so I'm quite looking forward to a bag designed to fit on the bike properly.
I have a 20 mile round commuting trip.
I either use a rucksack that I got from asda years and years ago or a pannier rack and this bag on it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Bag-Bike-Rear-Pa...
Swings and roundabouts:
Rucksacks plus points
-Easier, just pack and shove them on your back
-Can jump off bike in shops/work and have my gear on me and not have to unpack from bike
-Cheap
-Less Wear on bike
Minus points:
- PITA on drops, it knocks my head, on hybrid it is fine
- Forces me to sit in a very slightly different position on the bike due to load on back
- Sweaty back in summer, means I need a shower more often
- less Aero, but only notice with wind behind me on "good" days
Pannier Plus points:
- Average speeds seem higher with them, even set top ten koms once or twice!
- more comfy
- can sit properly on bike & use drops
- no sweaty back
Minus Points:
- More to go wrong
- takes longer to get ready, have to setup and make sure weight is spread out etc
- can affect bike handling
- pita if I stop at shops, as gear/laptop etc are tired to bike
- more expensive
- Increases bike wear! I have found my setup placed lots more weight on rear wheel, this destroyed one wheel and tyre and I can see it increasing the wear on my current tyre. It seems to put more pressure on the bike. But I do ride quite aggressively , if I was taking it easy this would be less of an issue as long as you have a high spoke count on rear wheel
I usually mix and match, on my hybrid I use the rack on my road bikes I use a rucksack. On short journeys I always use rucksack as it is much quicker to get going and less hassle
I either use a rucksack that I got from asda years and years ago or a pannier rack and this bag on it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Bag-Bike-Rear-Pa...
Swings and roundabouts:
Rucksacks plus points
-Easier, just pack and shove them on your back
-Can jump off bike in shops/work and have my gear on me and not have to unpack from bike
-Cheap
-Less Wear on bike
Minus points:
- PITA on drops, it knocks my head, on hybrid it is fine
- Forces me to sit in a very slightly different position on the bike due to load on back
- Sweaty back in summer, means I need a shower more often
- less Aero, but only notice with wind behind me on "good" days
Pannier Plus points:
- Average speeds seem higher with them, even set top ten koms once or twice!
- more comfy
- can sit properly on bike & use drops
- no sweaty back
Minus Points:
- More to go wrong
- takes longer to get ready, have to setup and make sure weight is spread out etc
- can affect bike handling
- pita if I stop at shops, as gear/laptop etc are tired to bike
- more expensive
- Increases bike wear! I have found my setup placed lots more weight on rear wheel, this destroyed one wheel and tyre and I can see it increasing the wear on my current tyre. It seems to put more pressure on the bike. But I do ride quite aggressively , if I was taking it easy this would be less of an issue as long as you have a high spoke count on rear wheel
I usually mix and match, on my hybrid I use the rack on my road bikes I use a rucksack. On short journeys I always use rucksack as it is much quicker to get going and less hassle
No, its quite a long and narrow bag, so no chance of fitting a laptop in there. Its not the best quality, but perfectly good for a tenner. I do use an additional bungee to secure it as the provided straps aren't the best, done loads of commuting with it though.
I try and leave my laptop at work , as its heavy and I don't fancy breaking it! If I carry it I use a rucksack, as I find stuff gets banged around more on the panniers.
Talking of which, I often carry eggs to work , as I like cooking in my lunch break, they never break in my rucksack. First time I put them on pannier bag every egg smashed over everything, wallet, keys clothes etc!! This was kaneing it down a bridleway and gravel railway track, so my own fault!
I try and leave my laptop at work , as its heavy and I don't fancy breaking it! If I carry it I use a rucksack, as I find stuff gets banged around more on the panniers.
Talking of which, I often carry eggs to work , as I like cooking in my lunch break, they never break in my rucksack. First time I put them on pannier bag every egg smashed over everything, wallet, keys clothes etc!! This was kaneing it down a bridleway and gravel railway track, so my own fault!
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 22 June 11:54
Cheers for the info. I need to take my laptop to client meetings.
Here's the link to the Union 34 rucksack. http://m.ebay.com/itm/141546905028?_mwBanner=1
Here's the link to the Union 34 rucksack. http://m.ebay.com/itm/141546905028?_mwBanner=1
Jody, you know that Union 34 rucksack comes without the seatpost mount?
They´re tricky to find, I found one here:
http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk
They´re tricky to find, I found one here:
http://www.cycleworldshop.co.uk
For years I have a used a combination of a 25ltr Karrimor rucksack from Sports Direct and a larger Weird Fish Rucksack. The smaller 25L has done a lot of commuting miles now and still refuses to break. It was only £15 and I bought it on a whim.
Its certainly lasted much butter than my business style rucksacks, which have both fallen apart after two to three years of daily use.
However, I wouldn't mind a nicer commuting rucksack. The ones with the mesh rear panel do appeal as you can get very sweaty in the summer.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a Brompton, so I shall be going for their S-Bag, so no more rucksack for me. Its pricey though at £105
Its certainly lasted much butter than my business style rucksacks, which have both fallen apart after two to three years of daily use.
However, I wouldn't mind a nicer commuting rucksack. The ones with the mesh rear panel do appeal as you can get very sweaty in the summer.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a Brompton, so I shall be going for their S-Bag, so no more rucksack for me. Its pricey though at £105
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff