Commuting - inertia designs/lone peak briefcase panniers

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Thomasd
02-25-06, 09:20 PM
hi all,
i'm in the market for a briefcase style pannier to carry my laptop around with me. i've read a lot about the arkel briefcase and the ortlieb office bag, and although i'm a fan of arkel (i use a bug and a UB), i'm looking for something cheaper that still looks professional. does anyone have any experience with either the inertia designs briefcase http://inertiadesigns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=14&products_id=168&osCsid=bed5f1ff115088d8ed25246d4755db53

or the lone peak briefcase
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6850519575&category=11170

???

they look pretty nice and are far cheaper than either the arkel or ortlieb bags. however, i haven't been able to find any comments on either of these particular bags. anyone have any firsthand experience?

thanks for any help!

Tom in Osaka

ken cummings
02-27-06, 11:57 AM
Tom, Why just a briefcase style Pannier? Every thrift shop I see and stores all the way up to custom leather luggage/case stores stock real briefcases. I would be seriously tempted to buy a cheap model as an experiment and bodge/juryrig a simple two hook and spring hook system to bolt to the case that could hold it on a rear rack. Or a metal frame basket that could hold a real briefcase. If you are now in Osaka Face might be important and you would need a ridged watertight case to hold a fancy leather case inside. But if you are on a bike face is not as critical. I have a rear pannier big enough to hold a briefcase endwise.

LUCK
Thomasd
03-03-06, 02:27 PM
Ken, thanks for the response and sorry not to acknowledge it sooner. I've been travelling for the last few days and haven't had a chance. Actually, you're right--I don't NEED a briefcase pannier. I'd really LIKE one because it's ideal for what I want to use it for, but the cost of these things gives me pause. I mean it's not a very versatile piece of equipment (i.e., wouldn't tour with it!), so it seems silly to spend a lot on it. i guess the makers figure if someone wants to buy a briefcase they must have some money??? anyway, i'm still thinking about it and in the meantime, I guess I'll keep wrapping my computer in clothes and sticking it in my bug. Cheers,
Tom in Osaka