Rucksacks and Paniers again

notleychris

Sorry searched forum and didn't see the answer so....

I am planning to ditch the second car and start cycling to the station about 3.5 miles.

I have been thinking about getting a small back pack for the cycling gear, eg tools, spare inner tubes, lights, waterproofs etc and a briefcase style pannier for the small laptop & work shirt / trousers.

What do guys think to this combination?

Also when the ground is wet / muddy will the briefcase style pannier bag get soaked and covered in grime?

A wet bag I could just about put up with but not one covered in greasy/ muddy road grime on the train....

Thanks

Chris

Kieran_Burns

My full size mudguards have kept my briefcase (laptop) pannier perfectly clean even down a bridle-track, so you should have no problem.

Oh, and I'd get two panniers rather than one and a rucksack.

The Chingford Skinhead

I've gone for the full mudguards and two pannier route as well. I find the backpack makes it harder to take a quick look over the shoulder and having a second pannier just feels right in terms of balance. You can get some very good water proof panniers - even breifcase style ones on the market.

Mine aren't 100% waterproof but I just put things that shouldn't get wet - like a laptop - inside a polythene bag (used the cover to a 9 pack of andrex the other day and forgot so got some odd looks when I pulled the laptop out of the pannier at a meeting... :roll:

sc999cs

If you do go down the back pack route, then a courier style bag (like the Crumpler Wonder Weenie) may be a better choice. They're worn low on the hips so don't affect your ability to look behind you. I think two panniers would be a better choice for balance purposes though or a rack bag (on top of the rack) and a courier bag. Also think about how you'll carry the luggage once you're off the bike.

symo

Currently using a Aplkit Gourdon 30Litre for my commute of 2 miles. Have a look here

www.alpkit.com

They also do a range of drybags called the airlocks. I have 3 two large and one extra large. Very good value. I also bought two lots of their cordura bags to seperate things into.

I'm a bit of an alpkit evangalist. I am expecting a set of their first water proof denims soon.

karl j

The Chingford Skinhead wrote:

I find/ found the backpack makes it harder to take a quick look over the shoulder and having a second pannier just feels right in terms of balance. You can get some very good water proof panniers - even breifcase style ones on the market.

Mine aren't 100% waterproof but I just put things that shouldn't get wet - like a laptop - inside a polythene bag (used the cover to a 9 pack of andrex the other day and forgot so got some odd looks when I pulled the laptop out of the pannier at a meeting... :roll:

+1 on the second lining (tescos carrier bag etc but Morrisons bags seem stronger imo, though i will readily admit i have no idea why that is

AndyManc

Are you taking the bike on the train ?

If it's only 3.5 miles I would go for the Rucksack (though panniers are an equal choice ), the bike will be easier to handle on the train without a pannier .


Actually ... take either ... , :? , I shouldn't have bothered commenting


:oops:

speedy641

..just buy 'Ortleib' panniers, you can do away with lining them with bags etc...completely bomb proof, look good and 100% waterproof...can't ask for much more...you get what you pay for ..

AndyManc

speedy641 wrote:

you get what you pay for ..

Not always true , I've got dhb panniers half the price of Ortleib and just as good.

You're paying a high price for the Ortleib name .

speedy641

..funny you should say that, I had some dhbs, clips failed after a year of commuting, they look the part but quality will out as they say...

symo

speedy641 wrote:

.....you get what you pay for ..

Not true, more than happy with everything I have bought from alpkit but the prices are low to ridiculous. Then there is the small matter of their after sales, the only place I have found that is better is MSR. this is all camping stuff though.

apreading

I had been using backpack for carrying round things like a lock, warm clothing snacks etc when going out cycling with the kids etc but found I was always getting hotter even though the pack itself was comfortable enough.

Bought some panniers when I decided to start cycling to work and it is so much nicer feeling the freedom of not wearing a backpack.

Even if they have mesh, this will allow the skin to breathe but will not allow the wind to circulate in the same way as not wearing one.

If it is an occasional thing I would say backpack is fine, but if it is to be regular then get a rack.

rsquid

I've been using a pair of Ortlieb panniers for daily commuting for about 3 years now. Worth every penny. They are still totally waterproof, no abrasions even after close encounters with the ground.
Much better than a back pack - why carry the weight yourself? - that's what the bike is for.

gtvlusso

Real men have rucksacks - with 10 kilo bag of dog food in them + cycle repair kit, locks, personal effects and a change of clothes - and, feck me, I am never doing it again.......

Jamey

I also use Ortlieb panniers and I'm also extremely glad I paid the extra money.

First there's the superior waterproofing, as others have mentioned. But second, and just as important, is that you can buy spare parts for everything.

Last week I was going around an obstacle and caught one of my panniers on it. One of the plastic clips that attaches it to the rack sheared completely off. If I had a cheap pannier I would have had to throw it in the bin and buy a new one but because Ortlieb do spares I just bought a set of new clips. Much cheaper and easier.

Buy cheap, buy twice, as they say.