Commuting - Panniers for short commute?

I have a short 3.5 mile commute to work that I'm thinking of trying to do by bike 2-3 times per week. I'd like to get everything off my back if possible. The remainder of the week I plan to drive since I need to move between two work locations mid-day.

I put a Topeak Explorer rack on the back of the bike and have been looking at the multiple pannier threads from this forum. Currently all of my stuff barely fits into a North Face Recon backpack (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47833076&parent_category_rn=4500509&vcat=REI_SEARCH) which has a listed capacity of 1850cu in/30L. I usually bring lunch along in another insulated bag which is additional room I would need to consider. It seems that with most of the panniers out there I will need two to get to my current capacity needs.

If I use two panniers, are there any that can be carried fairly easily if you're commuting by car and need to walk 15 minutes from the parking lot to your office? I don't want to repack my gear every other day from bag to bag so I'm trying to find one way to accomplish everything.

What if I just bought a basket along the lines of the Topeak MTX rear basket (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-TB2005-MTC-Basket-Rear/dp/B000FI6WXQ). It has listed dimensions of 40.5x33.5x24.1cm and a capacity of 1430 cubic inches. I could put my backpack in there and use a net to strap it down. I can probably put all of the bike gear (multi-tool, tube, patch kit in my backpack). I'll have to figure out how to deal with the lunch bag still though. How top heavy would carrying a fully loaded backpack in a basket make the bike?

Or what about the Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-MTX-Trunk-Bag-DXP/dp/B000FICAQ4/sr=1-1/qid=1159151671/ref=sr_1_1/102-7462578-6016111?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods) which expands on the sides and has an insulated top compartment where I could stash my lunch. Plus it could be good for some weekend leisure rides for lunch on the trail, camera, etc.

I looked at a lot of other panniers including the Arkel Bug (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/overview.asp?fl=1&site=) but that just doesn't have the capacity I need as far as I can tell at 1400 cu in unless I carried two in which case it makes the backpack straps pretty pointless.

These Detours Transit Tour panniers (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48131307&parent_category_rn=4500848&vcat=REI_SEARCH) are pretty cheap at $85 a pair and have plenty of capacity. But how do I haul a pair of these bad boys with me on days when I don't commute by bike?

Anything else I should consider?

Crikey man what are you dragging along with you? Sounds like you need a Burley trailer instead of Panniers. Consider taking less stuff with you or if its a clothing issue leave some clothes at work if you can

I have a NF Recon, and my commute is only 4 miles. I got a Bug because I only get to bike to work a couple of times a week, so the ability to go between the bike and the car was crucial for me.

I put all the bike-specific gear (tools, tube bike jacket...) into a small commuter pannier, and the things I need every day in the Bug. It helps balance the bike, even though you get used to one pannier pretty quickly, and I don't end up taking the bike stuff with me on days I drive.

A 3.5 mile commute is just short enough that you can stick with a pack, but just long enough that you can enjoy the benefits of panniers.

The only drawbacks to panniers are that it's just about impossible to bunnyhop, and depending on your bike, you may have heel clearance issues. I was able to adjust the Bug's hooks to take care of the heel clearance, and I just avoid rough terrain and curb-hopping. The benefits are the lack of a sweaty backpack imprint on my shirt at work, and the ability to breathe and move a little better.

The only complaint I have about the Bug itself are the exposed hooks. I worry about setting it down on the hardwoods at home, or in the passenger seat of the car. Think about the Arkel Commuter if that might be an issue.

Overall though, the switch to panniers has been a good thing, but I've switched back to the Recon recently, because I had to spend some time off the bike (surgery) and because the Recon is a much better backpack than the Bug.

I have a NF Recon, and my commute is only 4 miles. I got a Bug because I only get to bike to work a couple of times a week, so the ability to go between the bike and the car was crucial for me.

Thanks, that's the exact position I'm in at the moment as well.


The only complaint I have about the Bug itself are the exposed hooks. I worry about setting it down on the hardwoods at home, or in the passenger seat of the car. Think about the Arkel Commuter if that might be an issue.

I'll take a closer look at both. Have you looked at the Nashbar Action-Pack 'n Pannier (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=9036)? I doubt this thing will be waterproof as it's not mentioned in the description but it does have a sternum strap and waist belt ala NF Recon which the Arkel Bug lacks. The $50 price point does worry me a bit. It screams "cheap stitching" akin to the backpacks you can pick up at the grocery store that make it a few months under load before self-destructing at an inopportune moment (i.e. left turn across a major street).


Overall though, the switch to panniers has been a good thing, but I've switched back to the Recon recently, because I had to spend some time off the bike (surgery) and because the Recon is a much better backpack than the Bug.

You know, I keep thinking the best of both worlds would be if a real backpack Recon could be used as a pannier. Perhaps jamming it into one of those grocery bag type panniers..

You know, I keep thinking the best of both worlds would be if a real backpack Recon could be used as a pannier. Perhaps jamming it into one of those grocery bag type panniers..For a 3.5 mile commute, why not? You could strap your lunch to the top of the rack with a cargo net and put the backpack in the grocery pannier. When you got there, you could put the backpack on your back and your lunch and bike equipment in the pannier. The grocery panniers from Performance have a shoulder strap which could be shortened to a handle. Then walk in wearing the backpack and carrying the pannier.

I have stuffed my briefcase (more experimentation) into a grocery bag pannier, which is kinda floppy, so go for one with some structure, or maybe some compression straps. Maybe the Arkel model...

I was able to overcome some of the sway by bungie-ing the top of the briefcase to the rack.

Oh, and I read enough about the Nashbar pannier here to push me toward the Bug.