Comments on: CBB Poll: Baggage Options http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:08:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Ideoggece http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-79409 Ideoggece Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:48:14 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-79409 I'd prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.

]]> By: David http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-55916 David Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:12:04 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-55916 I have a waist pack by Lowe Alpine that can hold an 8.5 inch by 11 inch tablet (or laptop), it holds my lunch, jacket (on the way home on warm days), and/or rolled up shirt/pants. It's been great for commuting all spring, summer and fall. I also used it during a century ride in May. It is far less sweaty for me without a pack on my shoulders, the ride is very stable and I am able to cinch things down with compression straps, etc. I bought mine on clearance at Sierra Trading Post and haven't seen anything better yet. Also it has reflective piping on the back for visibility to cars. And bungee elastic netting on the outside if I really want to tie something else on. I have been intrigued by Xtracycle, and might be trying one soon. Kinda spendy, like buying another bike though. It would be better to just buy a "longbike" frame if there was one available on the market. I've heard Xtracycle can make your bike as versatile as a pickup truck... I have a little one-wheel trailer, but never used it. If I want to go grab a few groceries, I'd rather just throw a pannier open top sack type bag on the rear rack. I have a waist pack by Lowe Alpine that can hold an 8.5 inch by 11 inch tablet (or laptop), it holds my lunch, jacket (on the way home on warm days), and/or rolled up shirt/pants. It’s been great for commuting all spring, summer and fall. I also used it during a century ride in May. It is far less sweaty for me without a pack on my shoulders, the ride is very stable and I am able to cinch things down with compression straps, etc.
I bought mine on clearance at Sierra Trading Post and haven’t seen anything better yet. Also it has reflective piping on the back for visibility to cars. And bungee elastic netting on the outside if I really want to tie something else on.

I have been intrigued by Xtracycle, and might be trying one soon. Kinda spendy, like buying another bike though. It would be better to just buy a “longbike” frame if there was one available on the market. I’ve heard Xtracycle can make your bike as versatile as a pickup truck…

I have a little one-wheel trailer, but never used it. If I want to go grab a few groceries, I’d rather just throw a pannier open top sack type bag on the rear rack.

]]> By: Sue http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-51938 Sue Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:14:00 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-51938 Xtracycle. Not cheap, but completely, utterly, eliminates "carrying stuff" problems. I feared buyer's remorse but instead ended up selling my car. Xtracycle. Not cheap, but completely, utterly, eliminates “carrying stuff” problems. I feared buyer’s remorse but instead ended up selling my car.

]]> By: danomite http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49741 danomite Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:57:36 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49741 I use a Chrome Citizen messenger bag on my 16km commute. It is enough for pants/shirt lunch and (bike) tools. I keep my shoes at work. On atypical days I can carry my rain gear or other bonus items (like, say a six-pack) in there too. The Citizen is tiny compared to a lot of bags that you see rolling around. I prefer the messenger bag to panniers because it doesn't add unsuspended weight to the bike, though I will admit to having spent very minimal time with panniers. In messenger bag vs backpack, I find the air-flow and general comfort to be much better with the bag. I use a Chrome Citizen messenger bag on my 16km commute. It is enough for pants/shirt lunch and (bike) tools. I keep my shoes at work. On atypical days I can carry my rain gear or other bonus items (like, say a six-pack) in there too. The Citizen is tiny compared to a lot of bags that you see rolling around.

I prefer the messenger bag to panniers because it doesn’t add unsuspended weight to the bike, though I will admit to having spent very minimal time with panniers. In messenger bag vs backpack, I find the air-flow and general comfort to be much better with the bag.

]]> By: Paul of Minneapolis http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49585 Paul of Minneapolis Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:30:27 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49585 Me, I ride a LOADED tourning bike, four panniers and a handlebar bag. Most of the time I take off the front bags cause of the wind drag. The handlebar bag keeps wallet, keys, phone and PDA. If it's just to work or school and back shoes in one pannier and cloths in the other. I don't think I want a backpack when I leaning as low as possible into a strong headwind. As for the weight, when I'm loaded with groceries or camping gear, it feels like the bike is close to 60 to 100 lbs at times. Me, I ride a LOADED tourning bike, four panniers and a handlebar bag.

Most of the time I take off the front bags cause of the wind drag. The handlebar bag keeps wallet, keys, phone and PDA. If it’s just to work or school and back shoes in one pannier and cloths in the other.

I don’t think I want a backpack when I leaning as low as possible into a strong headwind.

As for the weight, when I’m loaded with groceries or camping gear, it feels like the bike is close to 60 to 100 lbs at times.

]]> By: Kim http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49251 Kim Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:35:17 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49251 I've just started commuting by bike recently. I've tried the backpack, but I feel constricted and off-balance with it on. I've changed to a Topeak rack and REI pannier for now, just to stuff my normally needed stuff in. I'll be getting a grocery pannier for the other side, since my ride takes me right past the supermarket. I’ve just started commuting by bike recently. I’ve tried the backpack, but I feel constricted and off-balance with it on. I’ve changed to a Topeak rack and REI pannier for now, just to stuff my normally needed stuff in. I’ll be getting a grocery pannier for the other side, since my ride takes me right past the supermarket.

]]> By: yangmusa http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49244 yangmusa Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:46:35 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49244 This may possibly be a little too geeky for those nervous laptop commuters out there, but... I've replaced my hard drive with a compact flash card. Not only are they much more resistant to shock than hard drives, they also use a lot less power. I still try to cushion my bag on a spare sweater or something, but I'm not too worried. This may possibly be a little too geeky for those nervous laptop commuters out there, but… I’ve replaced my hard drive with a compact flash card. Not only are they much more resistant to shock than hard drives, they also use a lot less power. I still try to cushion my bag on a spare sweater or something, but I’m not too worried.

]]> By: Tim http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49202 Tim Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:48:16 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49202 I know it's a little much, but I carry a laptop back and forth, so Backpack is my choice. I don't want to jostle the 'puter on the way. I just carry extra shirts and shower when I get home through the humid Austin summer heat. I know it’s a little much, but I carry a laptop back and forth, so Backpack is my choice. I don’t want to jostle the ‘puter on the way. I just carry extra shirts and shower when I get home through the humid Austin summer heat.

]]> By: Mary http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49147 Mary Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:38:27 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49147 I went with panniers, because I Hate wearing a backpack...I sweat too much, my shirt is ruined, you get the picture. Plus, I can fit more in my bag without it weighing me down. I went with panniers, because I Hate wearing a backpack…I sweat too much, my shirt is ruined, you get the picture.

Plus, I can fit more in my bag without it weighing me down.

]]> By: Steve http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/comment-page-1/#comment-49095 Steve Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:53:10 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/22/baggage-options/#comment-49095 Usually a messenger bag in cool/cold weather because they're so convenient, but in the middle of summer I start taking a change of clothes and shoes to work and a pannier works better for that. Usually a messenger bag in cool/cold weather because they’re so convenient, but in the middle of summer I start taking a change of clothes and shoes to work and a pannier works better for that.

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