Panniers ?

redjeepǃ

OK folks, I've just changed my job and for the first time in many years will be close enough to commute by bike (it used to be 50 miles each way).

My commute will now be around 10 miles and very flat. I'm thinking of using either my MTB hardtail or my winter bike (10 year old alu framed road bike), but I'm not sure what to use to carry my gear.

I don't like anything on my back when I'm cycling so am thinking of panniers. I need to carry a laptop case with the usual laptop, blackberry and some paperwork so it needs to be completely waterproof. I'm not sure if I'll need a change of clothes, but if so they'll need to fit in as well, maybe in a second case.

I'd also like it to be easy to use as a laptop type case when off the bike. Too much to ask ?

Does anybody have any suggestions ?

Final question - Am I right in thinking that you can fit a rack to a normal roadbike without any fixings for one ?

dilemna

Search is your friend. An absolute shed load has been written on this topic. A week doesn't go by without at least 10 of these threads.

moffatt666

Or more helpfully...

~£100 will buy you the Knog Dutch Dog which has space for a laptop and should fit any old rack (available in Aldi atm).

Hoopdriver

I believe Ortlieb also does a laptop bag - and of course it is waterproof too, always nice with a pricey laptop inside!

Lancslad

Hoopdriver wrote:

I believe Ortlieb also does a laptop bag - and of course it is waterproof too, always nice with a pricey laptop inside!

I have ortlieb panniers they are the dogs nuts. Release mechanism is brill too!

The Rookie

2options as I see it
1/ Laptop capable 'breifcase' style pannier as mentioned with quick release ability from the rack (remembering the wheel side can and will get dirty) so you can remove and carry it in.
2/ 3 bag pannier, I have this, I use an 'envelope' style laptop case in the top pannier, lunch in one side and tools/tube and waterproof in the other.

Simon

redvee

I nearly bought a Tortec Velocity rack last night but the cost of finding a bag to go on them stopped me along with the fact that I have 3 messenger type bags made me realise that I can survive without panniers for a longtime yet.

beverick

I use one of these:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... ?&id=10329 for the laptop; and one of these http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... re(perpair).aspx?&id=1899 for clothing etc.

The only issues with the laptop bag is that with a few writing pads, files, laptop, power supply and other office junk you'll need a heavyweight rac, it sits at a 45 degree angle on the rack and it's an off-side only fit.

You probably won't get 100% waterproof (ortleib come close) but the above laptop bag is water resistant to a high degree. I use supermarket carriers to provide further protection.

nb, I usually loop the cable-lock through the handle and rack frame to prevent someone from stealing at junctions, lights or crossings.

Bob

beverick

beverick wrote:

I use one of these:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... ?&id=10329 for the laptop; and one of these http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... re(perpair).aspx?&id=1899 for clothing etc.

The only issues with the laptop bag is that with a few writing pads, files, laptop, power supply and other office junk you'll need a heavyweight rack, it sits at a 45 degree angle on the rack and it's an off-side only fit.

You probably won't get 100% waterproof (ortleib come close) but the above laptop bag is water resistant to a high degree. I use supermarket carriers to provide further protection.

nb, I usually loop the cable-lock through the handle and rack frame to prevent someone from stealing at junctions, lights or crossings.

Bob

redjeepǃ

Thanks everybody. I'll take a look at the links and do some more searches. I had seen a couple of threads but nothing that specifically answered my questions.

Thanks again.

googlebot

If water repellency is paramount ( and with a laptop it sounds like it is ) it's got to Ortlieb.
When I bought my panniers 4 years ago money was a bit tight so I went with Altura Dryline front and back. If I had my time again I would stretch to the Ortleib. The Alturas are ok but In constant all day rain they will leak.
A mate of mine, to prove a point, tied his empty but full of air Ortleibs together when a group of us went swimming in Windermere and used them like buoyancy aids. When we got out he opened them up and they were bone dry inside! Can't say fairer than that.

essex-commuter

I use one of these every day and to be honest cannot fault it.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ort ... c-ec017865

g00se

Fixing a rack to a frame with no mountings:

You can get seat-post mounting racks but they look a bit Heath-Robinson to me.

For proper rack, you can get rear-wheel skewers that incorporate the bottom mounting (I think someone is selling a set of these Tortecs on the classifieds forum) and a replacement seat-post clamp that incorporates the top mountings. Otherwise there's p-clips (but they're the most Heath-Robinson of all).

davmaggs

If you like Ortleib then consider Vaude Aqua as they too are german and very solid, but have a really useful external pocket. No need to open the main compartment to get keys etc when it is raining.

I got mine on eBay and saved a few quid

redjeepǃ

Thanks everybody. I'll have a look around, seems like there's plenty of good choices.