*GOOD* Laptop sized pannier?
RufusA
Posts: 500
I've been riding with an Altura Urban 15 laptop pannier, and am fed up with it! In just over 6 months of use:
- The zip for the Rixen and Kaul fittings cover has broken
- The rack clip has snapped
- It's too small to carry a laptop, charger and a couple of shirts without bursting at the seems.
- The R&K clips dig in to your side if you try and carry the thing.
etc.
On the whole not too happy with it, the final straw was when the rack clip popped off and the whole thing slid off my rack this morning, depositing my notebook on the road behind me!
So can anyone recommend a GOOD QUALITY notebook sized? Key features I need:
a) Waterproof - laptops + rain not a good combination.
b) Secure fitting - I don't want it falling off if I go over speed bump.
c) Capacious - would be nice to have enough room for laptop (13"), charger, change of clothes and spare space for cables, lights, and other detritus!
d) Well built - I don't want any more ripped seams, failing zips, broken clips etc.
e) Carryable - I often have to carry it a mile or so across town to meetings - I want it to be comfortable to sling over a shoulder without being stupidly bulky or having sharp sticky out bits to rip my clothes.
f) Useful with pockets for stuff, and a closure that doesn't take 10 mins and a phd to open / close.
A few reflective bits and a clip for a rear light would be a nice bonus!
Any recommendations? Price isn't too much of an issue, a good pannier is cheaper than buying a replacement notebook!
Rufus.
- The zip for the Rixen and Kaul fittings cover has broken
- The rack clip has snapped
- It's too small to carry a laptop, charger and a couple of shirts without bursting at the seems.
- The R&K clips dig in to your side if you try and carry the thing.
etc.
On the whole not too happy with it, the final straw was when the rack clip popped off and the whole thing slid off my rack this morning, depositing my notebook on the road behind me!
So can anyone recommend a GOOD QUALITY notebook sized? Key features I need:
a) Waterproof - laptops + rain not a good combination.
b) Secure fitting - I don't want it falling off if I go over speed bump.
c) Capacious - would be nice to have enough room for laptop (13"), charger, change of clothes and spare space for cables, lights, and other detritus!
d) Well built - I don't want any more ripped seams, failing zips, broken clips etc.
e) Carryable - I often have to carry it a mile or so across town to meetings - I want it to be comfortable to sling over a shoulder without being stupidly bulky or having sharp sticky out bits to rip my clothes.
f) Useful with pockets for stuff, and a closure that doesn't take 10 mins and a phd to open / close.
A few reflective bits and a clip for a rear light would be a nice bonus!
Any recommendations? Price isn't too much of an issue, a good pannier is cheaper than buying a replacement notebook!
Rufus.
0
Comments
-
I carry more or less what you want to be able to in one Ortlieb Back Roller. I can't compare it to much, but it works for me. Feels pretty well made, certainly waterproof, robust. It folds in several different ways and has a shoulder strap for carrying.0
-
Personally, I wouldn't carry a laptop in a pannier, especially not my own MacbookPro, partly because of the bumping and bashing around and partly because of the risk of it being knocked off or unclipping. On the few occasions are can't avoid it I take the laptop in a Crumpler bag - not ideal for any distance but much safer.0
-
I use the Ortlieb bikepacker plus with the lap top in a protective sleeve. Its a great multipurpose pannier and has plenty of room. However, you might find one of the roll-top versions better for carrying.0
-
Seconded on the Ortleib panniers, most robust you can get, plus, i think you can get a rucksack adapter thing that the pannier clips onto so its comfortable to carry long distances on your back. I used one combined with a Tom Bihn braincell laptop bag:
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0390
These are available in various sizes to suit your laptop, they are padded and have a suspension type thing in the bottom to absorb vertical bumps and shock. They are are also then handy if you want to protect your laptop in conventional rucksack/bag/whatever.0
