normal looking pannier/commute bag recommendations?

leonlikestrees

Hello,

I travel with work a lot. I cycle the first leg (to the train station), but then it's a lot of public transport, metros, etc.

At the moment, I have a 25 litre courier bag, which I can just about get by with for 2 or 3 days travelling, with clothes, laptop, other equipment, etc.

It works well off the bike, but on the bike it's not ideal, as it's difficult to not get sweaty riding to the train station.

I experimented this week and put my old touring pannier on the bike. Fantastic! Totally useless off the bike though.

So now, I'm looking for something which is pannier mounted, but very usable off the bike. I prefer courier style, but would be ok with a rucksack. It needs lots of pockets and organizing bits. A big empty sack wouldn't be much use for me. I think 30l would be great, as I struggle a bit with 25 sometimes. So far I have found a few options:

Union 34 rucksack of shoulder bag (https://www.facebook.com/Union34UK/app_129982580378550)
http://northstbags.com/collections/conv ... s/woodward (nice, but too expensive)
http://www.instructables.com/id/10-Bike ... ngerany-B/
http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?pa ... duct_id=64

Is there anything else I should be considering?

Thanks,

Leon

tomwardill

I just got the Union 34 rucksack, used it as a rucksack for the first time today.

Pros:
Plenty of space (I got the large, I have 3 days of clothes, a laptop and other gubbins)
Decent pockets, with sensible sized smaller organiser
Comfy to carry as a rucksack

Cons:
The rack mount is a separate thing that you have to unclip to use as a rucksack.
It's a bit ugly, and looks quite like a laptop bag.
The included laptop sleeve is a bit pants (though probably entirely suitable), I'd factor in replacing it with something better.

So far, it's a 'recommended', but it's only the first time out.


Not used it as a pannier yet, but the clips look decent. We'll see on longevity. I had a Vaude one that was similar before this, but smashed the fittings after 6 months of regular use.

leonlikestrees

sounds along the lines of what I had already thought about that bag. Not too many alternatives though.

I really like that North St Bags one. Not very "professional" looking, but that's not important in my business. I really can't justify £150 for a bag though under any circumstances.

here's another couple of options:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-vario-q ... sack-2012/
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueP ... D=N807LGXX

prawny

I want a timbuk2 Phoenix. Don't really need one but they look great and tackle almost all of my issues with backpacks. Think they're 35 litre with compression straps, came top in a c+ group test

prawny

Doh, just read the post properly. Ignore me!

leonlikestrees

looks great, except no pannier mount :-)

Sorry, forgot to ignore you :-)

prawny

Damn you!