Author Topic: Urban Bike Commuters -- How do you carry your stuff? (Read 2852 times)

Angry Chicken · « **on:** June 24, 2009, 08:31:52 am »

Two months into the urban bike commuter schtick and I have a question. Well, first I have an observation. I carry my stuff in a backpack and find that my back gets sweaty. Balance isn't a problem, but sometimes with lots of kit in the pack I can feel its weight shift. It's not as big a deal as with a road bike since I ride a hybrid and the (straight) handlebars afford a relatively upright riding position. The poll doesn't allow multiple selections, so please select your primary means of carrying your gear.

Thus the reason for the poll.

tortoise · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2009, 08:46:41 am »

I carry my gear in a back pack. But I only commute by bike 1-2 days a week. The other 3-4 are via longboard.

When I was riding 7 days a week I still used the backpack because I could shower at work. I prefer it because it lets me jump curbs, ride down stairs, etc without beating up my gear.

quadzilla · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2009, 10:04:36 am »

Rear panniers. When I started commuting by bike I did the backpack method and hated it and setup my bike about 2 weeks after that. Of course, my commute back then was 40KM return and I bring a lot of food everyday to eat. Plus I could carry groceries home after work if needed.

I don't mind the extra weight as I use my commuting to offset training through the year.

Squishy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2009, 10:34:54 am »

I used a backpack until my equipment didn't fit anymore (gas mask and hard hat put me over). I then used a large RIDGID tool bag, the huge one from their 5-piece combo, modified to sling over my shoulder with a rifle sling.

dr_spock · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2009, 04:11:10 pm »

When I worked in downtown Montreal, I used a milk crate on my rear rack. It was fine for holding a lunch bag and drink.

initial_D · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2009, 12:23:24 am »

I used a backpack years back.

X-Traction · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2009, 01:48:00 am »

Having just retired after car commuting only 9 months of my working years, I mostly had office jobs requiring one step below suit jackets. I always worked in the same clothing as I rode in. This took only minor ajdustments. One was to keep the pace below a race speed. Another was to buy pants that looked like normal office wear, but had stretch material. I had a tiny desk fan I'd run for a few minutes to cool off on hotter days. I was not the subject of accusations of being smelly.

So all I needed for "cargo" was my light nylon briefcase bunjied to the rear carrier.

huota · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2009, 10:56:15 am »

I carry my stuff (shirts) in a small Camelbak. Not an ideal solution, I am thinking of getting panniers...

ghost · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2009, 03:00:06 pm »

I bungee cord my knapsack to my rear rack. Works alright. A pannier is better. But I don't feel like spending cash on this yet as I just started biking to work since the weather has been great.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2009, 05:51:59 pm »

Quote from: quadzilla on June 24, 2009, 10:04:36 am

Rear panniers. When I started commuting by bike I did the backpack method and hated it and setup my bike about 2 weeks after that. Of course, my commute back then was 40KM return and I bring a lot of food everyday to eat. Plus I could carry groceries home after work if needed.

I don't mind the extra weight as I use my commuting to offset training through the year.

Can you recommend a brand of panniers that un/mount easily to a rear rack and whose straps don't get tangled easily with spokes?

dorin · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2009, 05:59:01 pm »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on June 25, 2009, 05:51:59 pm

Can you recommend a brand of panniers that un/mount easily to a rear rack and whose straps don't get tangled easily with spokes?

Ortlieb panniers are the bomb, but they're pricey!

quadzilla · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2009, 08:03:34 pm »

Quote from: dorin on June 25, 2009, 05:59:01 pm

Quote from: Angry Chicken on June 25, 2009, 05:51:59 pm
Can you recommend a brand of panniers that un/mount easily to a rear rack and whose straps don't get tangled easily with spokes?

Ortlieb panniers are the bomb, but they're pricey!

I been using this MEC version for the last 3 years with out any issues. I store my work clothes in a dry bag just in case but for the few major rains I've been caught in they hold up quite well.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617969&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1245974144470

They go on/off quite easily. Sit the bottom hook in then seat the top to your rack. I've never had them pop out/come undone yet. Zero maintenance to date. For the price I think its good value. I didn't feel premium panniers worth were worth it for me and just commuting since I have Bob trailer if I ever want to go touring.

ghost · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2009, 07:05:51 pm »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on June 25, 2009, 05:51:59 pm

Quote from: quadzilla on June 24, 2009, 10:04:36 am
Rear panniers. When I started commuting by bike I did the backpack method and hated it and setup my bike about 2 weeks after that. Of course, my commute back then was 40KM return and I bring a lot of food everyday to eat. Plus I could carry groceries home after work if needed.

I don't mind the extra weight as I use my commuting to offset training through the year.
Can you recommend a brand of panniers that un/mount easily to a rear rack and whose straps don't get tangled easily with spokes?

Whichever you decide, make sure the pannier pairs are not linked together. You may not always ride with two panniers at the back.

dorin · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2009, 12:11:22 pm »

I replaced the fork on my summer commuter bike and added a Wald grocery basket. It's pretty awesome.

ktm525 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2009, 12:45:45 pm »

I used to use a backpack but now I just toss a gymbag into my rear child carrier seat. The carrier seat rocks; it acts like a rear fender and it carries stuff. The best part is that no thief would steal a bike with a child carrier, would they?

safristi · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2009, 02:33:18 pm »

...............

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2009, 10:12:00 pm »

Quote from: dorin on July 07, 2009, 12:11:22 pm

I replaced the fork on my summer commuter bike and added a Wald grocery basket. It's pretty awesome.

So, if I see an otherwise serious-looking biker dude with a granny basket on the front of his bike, that would be you?

dorin · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2009, 08:46:09 am »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on July 07, 2009, 10:12:00 pm

Quote from: dorin on July 07, 2009, 12:11:22 pm
I replaced the fork on my summer commuter bike and added a Wald grocery basket. It's pretty awesome.
So, if I see an otherwise serious-looking biker dude with a granny basket on the front of his bike, that would be you?

I don't think I'm all that serious-looking - I enjoy riding my bike so I'm usually happy-looking.

tpl · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2009, 09:00:01 am »

If you snap the new for do you end up looking like a bunch of french fries or do you miss the basket on your way over?

dorin · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2009, 09:27:43 am »

Quote from: tpl on July 08, 2009, 09:00:01 am

If you snap the new for do you end up looking like a bunch of french fries or do you miss the basket on your way over?

Totally miss the basket - it's lower than the handlebar.

Poll

What do you carry your stuff in? If you have a chance, please post the reason for your preference.

Author Topic: Urban Bike Commuters -- How do you carry your stuff? (Read 2852 times)