Commuting Bag

MartinGT

Guys

Just a thought, after reading this forum for a couple of weeks now.

What do you guys use to commute stuff too and from your workplace?

Me, I have a Lowe Apline Rucksack I use. I take my clothes / food and other stuff in for the day and it seems fine.

However I am thinking of taking in some stuff on the Monday and having less to carry midweek.

I dont have a car so I dont have the option of take stuff in Monday and take it home Friday.

What do other people do?

Kieran_Burns

I have an Altura Dryline Pannier - the 17" laptop one.

It's excellent at keeping things dry and as it is basically laptop shaped you carefully fold your shirt(s) into it and they stay crease free

Gazzaputt

Just bought this and very pleased. Able to pack Trousers, shirt, pants and socks. Also bit of lunch. Have some tools in the side pockets. Bag is very light.

wantaway

I use a manhattan Portage bag. Is very big and I can fit in a week's worth of shirts and other sundries easily. Some people complain that the lack of waist strap means it is not stable but I have had no problems. I've even used it to take an extra suit to work and it arrived just fine. For the rest of my journeys for most of the week I can either go without a bag or just use a small cheap rucksack to carry rain gear

I did look at some other bags but it seems to be a decision between capacity and stability oh and price.

One wierd thing to note is that on the days I have no bag at all the slight sense of extra freedom seems to make me cycle like an idiot

lastant

Used to have the Howies Chevron Bag (old style, 2004 I think?) which I got as a present for Christmas around that time which was excellent. Lovely size, comfy to ride with and easily fits within the hand luggage requirements for flights - perfect!

However, it belted it down whilst on a trip home earlier in the year and I realised it was no longer waterproof - luckily I had nothing important in it at the time, but needed replacing.

Decided to treat myself and bought a PAC Street Scene (Large) from Brick Lane Bikes. Did think about going for one of the Deluxe or Ultimate models, but I think the Street Scene suits my needs at the moment. Yes it's expensive but as I'm going to be using it more days than not I thought it was worth investing in something.

Having worn it in now I'd go as far as saying it's the best bag I've ever owned - feels ever so comfortable on the bike, doesn't move whilst riding, LOADS of room inside it (and it still fits in the hand luggage requirements for flights)

Only downside is the lack of an outside pocket...

il_principe

I have a courier bag from Reload. Wasn't cheap but it is totally waterproof, very tough and capacious. Has an inner pouch for tools and an outer pocket for my locks. They do a lot of one off designs as well, I'm basically never going to see another version of mine. I have designed one for them to create as well, but holding off on that until sterling recovers!

IME Courier bags are better than rucksacks.

prawny

I've got one of these.



Perfect for lunch, shirt, boxers, socks, tools, 2 innertubes, phone, wallet and occasionally a gilet.

It comes with a nifty waterproof cover too so my stuff stays dry.

I don;t get a sweaty back and I can use my jersey pockets for fig rolls, perfect

Bassjunkieuk

prawny wrote:

I've got one of these.



Perfect for lunch, shirt, boxers, socks, tools, 2 innertubes, phone, wallet and occasionally a gilet.

It comes with a nifty waterproof cover too so my stuff stays dry.

I don;t get a sweaty back and I can use my jersey pockets for fig rolls, perfect

Looks good but where's the rest of the bike ;-)

I'm currently using a Bikehut (stop laughing) backpack that I picked up a while ago. It's certainly seen better days and is in some parts held together with a large safety pin and zip ties! Has the option of splitting into a large(ish) backpack and hydration bag or can be combined. Just about enough room for shoes, trousers, shirt and spares along with the phones and wallet etc. Think it will need replacing with something else soon as I don't really use the hydration feature that much now and the plastic clips are starting to split that hold the straps across my chest :-(

prawny

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

prawny wrote:

I've got one of these.


Perfect for lunch, shirt, boxers, socks, tools, 2 innertubes, phone, wallet and occasionally a gilet.

It comes with a nifty waterproof cover too so my stuff stays dry.

I don;t get a sweaty back and I can use my jersey pockets for fig rolls, perfect

Looks good but where's the rest of the bike ;-)

I'm currently using a Bikehut (stop laughing) backpack that I picked up a while ago. It's certainly seen better days and is in some parts held together with a large safety pin and zip ties! Has the option of splitting into a large(ish) backpack and hydration bag or can be combined. Just about enough room for shoes, trousers, shirt and spares along with the phones and wallet etc. Think it will need replacing with something else soon as I don't really use the hydration feature that much now and the plastic clips are starting to split that hold the straps across my chest :-(

It was a cervelo :twisted: :twisted:

greg66_tri_v2.0

prawny wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

prawny wrote:

I've got one of these.


Perfect for lunch, shirt, boxers, socks, tools, 2 innertubes, phone, wallet and occasionally a gilet.

It comes with a nifty waterproof cover too so my stuff stays dry.

I don;t get a sweaty back and I can use my jersey pockets for fig rolls, perfect

Looks good but where's the rest of the bike ;-)

I'm currently using a Bikehut (stop laughing) backpack that I picked up a while ago. It's certainly seen better days and is in some parts held together with a large safety pin and zip ties! Has the option of splitting into a large(ish) backpack and hydration bag or can be combined. Just about enough room for shoes, trousers, shirt and spares along with the phones and wallet etc. Think it will need replacing with something else soon as I don't really use the hydration feature that much now and the plastic clips are starting to split that hold the straps across my chest :-(

It was a cervelo :twisted: :twisted:

So fast it beat the camera's shutter

il_principe

prawny wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

prawny wrote:

I've got one of these.


Perfect for lunch, shirt, boxers, socks, tools, 2 innertubes, phone, wallet and occasionally a gilet.

It comes with a nifty waterproof cover too so my stuff stays dry.

I don;t get a sweaty back and I can use my jersey pockets for fig rolls, perfect

Looks good but where's the rest of the bike ;-)

I'm currently using a Bikehut (stop laughing) backpack that I picked up a while ago. It's certainly seen better days and is in some parts held together with a large safety pin and zip ties! Has the option of splitting into a large(ish) backpack and hydration bag or can be combined. Just about enough room for shoes, trousers, shirt and spares along with the phones and wallet etc. Think it will need replacing with something else soon as I don't really use the hydration feature that much now and the plastic clips are starting to split that hold the straps across my chest :-(

It was a cervelo :twisted: :twisted:

I note the use of the word "was" in relation to "Cervelo". Did it break?

MartinGT

Hmmmmm Ive been thinking about a messenger bag for some time now

How stable are they?

jjojjas

I had a messenger bag but it used to bug me, got in the way slid to the side etc....
I use panniers now. Don't like the sweaty back thing with a rucksack.
Jas

monkeysm8

I went for a carradice sqr tour. It's so much better having nothing sitting on my back. I get my brekkie,lunch,rain jacket, tools,pump,innertube into it and it's totally waterproof and rugged as hell.

daniel_b

I use one of these, as does my gf, and very good they are too:

Agent57

MartinGT wrote:

What do you guys use to commute stuff too and from your workplace?

I have quite a large Camelbak rucksack which I use when I have a lot to carry (typically, this includes waterproof trousers, overshoes, waterproof jacket, tools & spares). If the weather's predictably fine, I use a smaller Jack Bauer-style "man bag", or an even smaller musette-style bag (see avatar).

However, I'm considering switching to a rack and pannier.

prawny

Il Principe wrote:

prawny wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

prawny wrote:

I've got one of these.



It was a cervelo :twisted: :twisted:

I note the use of the word "was" in relation to "Cervelo". Did it break?

I was referring to G66 soloist seat tube issue

I do still want a cervelo though

Actually that reminds me (starts new thread)

il_principe

MartinGT wrote:

Hmmmmm Ive been thinking about a messenger bag for some time now

How stable are they?

Very if you have a chest strap...

geordiefella

I've got a Howies Chevron. Works great. not had it in a massive downpour yet (lucky).

If I got rid, I'd check out the Ortileb Velocity, PAC bag or an Arkel Bug with tortec slim rack for the rear. Prefer on the back type though. more mobile bike...

Aidy

I use a Altura Fusion saddle bag thingy.

Just about large enough for a change of clothes and a few tools, but not much else.
Come winter, I'll probably switch to panniers.

on-oneplus26

http://www.alpkit.com/gourdon

Simple - check
Waterproof - check
Comfortable - very
Cheap (sorry, good value for money) - oh yes
Range of colours - yup

Perfect.

LazyBoycp

geordiefella wrote:

I've got a Howies Chevron. Works great. not had it in a massive downpour yet (lucky).

If I got rid, I'd check out the Ortileb Velocity, PAC bag or an Arkel Bug with tortec slim rack for the rear. Prefer on the back type though. more mobile bike...

I've just bought an Ortlieb Velocity after finally deciding that the rain cover on my Camelback was a bit crap, since it never stayed in place properly. Only had one commute on it so far, but it seems fine. It's pretty big (20l) and has quite a useful detachable organiser-type thing inside that you can put wallet, keys, phone, inner tube, tools, etc in, but I find that the roll top means that my vision is a wee bit restricted when looking behind me. Waterproofing seems perfect so far, which is important in Manchester!

NGale

on-oneplus26 wrote:

http://www.alpkit.com/gourdon

Simple - check
Waterproof - check
Comfortable - very
Cheap (sorry, good value for money) - oh yes
Range of colours - yup

Perfect.

oooooh nice me wants one!

ideal for on the bike and when I'm off on cadet trips on the water

tardington

I've got the wee size. I like it!

A smart feature - the back padding pulls out to form a sit-on mat. So you can sit and eat your cheese sandwiches with a dry bum. 8)

Bassjunkieuk

tardington wrote:

I've got the wee size. I like it!

A smart feature - the back padding pulls out to form a sit-on mat. So you can sit and eat your cheese sandwiches with a dry bum. 8)

Surely cheese sandwiches would taste better with a bit of butter? ;-)

Dudu

MartinGT wrote:

Guys

What do you guys use to commute stuff too and from your workplace?

All I usually need to take is clean sox, kx and shirt. These fit in a large seatpack with allen keys, tyre levers,a couple of tubes, race cape, plus arm and knee warmers if it might get nippy.

I keep clean trousers and shoes in my desk.

Whatever you do, don't carry a rucksack. You have a bike to carry luggage.

MartinGT

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

tardington wrote:

I've got the wee size. I like it!

A smart feature - the back padding pulls out to form a sit-on mat. So you can sit and eat your cheese sandwiches with a dry bum. 8)

Surely cheese sandwiches would taste better with a bit of butter? ;-)

Im all confused now. I think a messenger / courier bag would be better than what I have now. So people who have those I take in the following:-

Shirt
Trousers
Clean Underwear
Lunch & Breakfast (Maybe leave breakfast in work to save room)
Towel
1 spare tube, multi-tool

Thats it. Now we dont have lockers at work, well we do but none spare for me Nor do we have changing rooms, so I have limited space at my desk to leave stuff, i.e my shoes, showergel etc.

So what size messenger bag, and what type to peeps recommend?

JonS123

I use a small rucksack with the straps choped off bungie cord attached to my pannier rack, as well as one of those triangle bags if I need to carry around some tools etc

I also got a messenger bag from a charity shop for a bargain £6 - virtually brand new, only branding on it was related to some medical/pharmaceutical company, though it does come with a stabilising strap and has enough ziped pockets for keys etc

jimmypippa

I sometimes use a rucsac (with an airmesh back system and raincover) but am now a convert to waterproof panniers...

No sweaty back

cyberknight

Got an old rucksack minus handles bungeed onto my pannier :shock:

Cheap and it works

In it goes

t shirt, trousers, underwear.

raincoat,overshoes,spare gloves, sweatband.

spare inner tube, puncture repair kit, mini tool thing, pump

sandwich box, bike lock

Uncle Bernie Love

My Howies Chevron bag (the old style) is still going strong, and still waterproof after a good few years service.