Commuting - Commuting and Laptop

Hey there folks. This summer I started commuting to work.. (I've stopped now, as the snow, salt and slush are here).. but anyway, what I wanted to know, does anyone out there comute with a laptop? My desktop at work was replaced with the laptop and I want to know how people carry it.. I ride a Full Suspension Mountain bike, so a rack is not an option...

Thanks in Advance!

Joe

Hi; I have been commuting year round with a laptop for almost three years. I used to carry it in a backpack, where the laptop was in a Jansport laptop sleeve. I now put this backpack in a Burley d'lite trailer. I have not had any problems and typically have the laptop in suspend mode. It is an IBM A20M Thinkpad.

It seems to me that you have to watch out for the temperature. Laptops are not very temperature tolerant. It might get damaged as a result of cold if you have it outside, too long in too cold weather.

Originally posted by Spire
It seems to me that you have to watch out for the temperature. Laptops are not very temperature tolerant. It might get damaged as a result of cold if you have it outside, too long in too cold weather.

Indeed. Condensation can be a killer.

My comute is about 60 minutes to work, and 45 home (It's all downhill home!)

I think the laptop might be fine in the summer... as it's warm, and I don't think I'll be riding in the winter... too much salt on the roads, and I have my bike setup for winter trail riding (Spiked Tires).

Joe

A backpack is probably your best option. There are several designed specifically for laptops with padded compartments. Some even have special sling type suspension systems to protect from shock.

My commute is 30 +/- minutes each way. The Jansport sleeve is very heavily padded. My backpack is a padded LL Bean model, but I found it lacked padding on the bottom. As for cold, if you suspend your laptop, rather than turning it off, it generates enough heat to stay toasty warm even with temps in the 10-20F range.

Great Idea about suspending it! At least that will keep the CPU and whatnot warm.. I guess as long as the HDD heads are parked, there is no chance for data lose. I'll work on getting a good bag for next year.. I broke my collarbone 3 weeks ago, so I've been off the bike, I also think that this will play into what bag I get.. I'll need something comfy to match my new bone formation!

Joe

modern laptops are pretty darn tough. I called the IBM folks and they told me it was perfectly safe to toat the laptop around in suspend mode. You might want to check with your laptop vendor and ask them the same question.

As for the Jansport sleeves, Staples sells them. I would use one even with a padded backpack. I would rather have too much padding than not enough.

And I do not think I mentioned, but I had one crash when I used to wear the backpack. The laptop was fine despite going over the handbars and rolling a few times...the backpack went flying.

I have an IBM Thinkpad T23.. so I should be good too! (and it's really work's PC.. I just don't want to loose all my bike photos..) :)

Thanks for your help, I'll check out Office Depot (Staples same thing) later this week, see what they have for sale... Sounds like that is the way to go!

Joe

Go to www.reloadbags.com

They have amazing custom made messenger/commuter bags and also have laptop cases available [that fit into reload bags]

The Jansport padded sleeve I use is similar to what they call the Network T105. This can be viewed on their web site (www.jansport.com)

Originally posted by mtbkanata
I ride a Full Suspension Mountain bike, so a rack is not an option...

Thanks in Advance!

Joe Bosh! Go here Racks for dual-boingers (http://www.oldmanmountain.com/)