Commuting - What kind of bag do you use to commute?

There've been a few threads about types of bags, but I'm a bag junky, and thought this might be of some benefit?

What kind of bag do you primarily use on your commute? I typically take the day's clothes with me (I leave shoes at work) so I need some kind of bag. I alternate between a backpack, messenger bag, and (very rarely) panniers. What do you use?

Thanks!

I use a Carradice SQR Tour bag, which attaches to the seat post. It is great for commuting. It has a quick release, two outside pockets (I use one for tools and tire and the other for raingear.) And the inside is roomy enough for a change of clothes and lunch, with a little extra for the occasional item.

There is also room to attach items to the outside, which I do on rare occasions. I've had it about a year now and much prefer it to panniers.

Backpack sometimes, other times I don't use a bag.

Small panniers for me. Usually one, but two if I need to bring my shoes, lunch and a full change of clothes.

baker

I own:

backpack (several actually)
messenger bag
rack w/cargo net
2 large panniers
large handlebar bag

I find myself using the backpack more often than any other alternative. It suits my riding profile nicely; lots of time on and off the bike, short distances, many stops, etc. I use the messenger bag if I don't have too much to carry and it is hot out.

I use the rack and net to carry oddly shaped items. I very rarely use panniers because they are such a hassle to attach and detach and they are usually too large for the task at hand.

If I were going straight to work and only have a few clothes to carry, I would probably opt for the handlebar bag (I'd use a Carradice saddlebag if I had one). It can be detached from the bike and has a shoulder strap to carry it by off the bike.

Dan

I commute with a backpack I prefer the ease of running errands and not have to attach and un attach panniers and find it more secure than a courier bag.

Small pannier(s) at the moment, but I'm considering a rackpack.

Monday, big load, panniers, topeak delux trunck bag and bar bag.
Tuesday, trunk bag and bar bag.
Wednesday, same.
Thursday full load and grocery day, large panniers, trunk bag, bar bag and sometimes backpack if needed.
Friday, trunk bag and bar bag.
Weekend rides, trunk bag.

For short journeys into town, a backpack. For rides over 3 miles, a single pannier.
For those who have trouble attatching them,. have you seen modern clip-on mechanisms, or are you struggling with elastic and hooks ?

Originally posted by MichaelW
...
For those who have trouble attatching them,. have you seen modern clip-on mechanisms, or are you struggling with elastic and hooks ?

Mine are old Schwinn Traverse panniers. They have elastic and hooks. In order to keep them from bouncing off the bike, I use two 6 foot sleeping bag straps, one running horizontally and one running vertically to lash them to the rack.

These panniers are really only suitable for a large volume of stuff on a point-to-point trip, with few stops. This pretty much means camping trips only for me.

Dan

mrfix,

You are one loaded down cyclist. How far is your commute and on what kind of bike do you hang all this luggage?

For commuting I use Arkel Samuri panniers. For errands I
sometimes use a backpack, rear trunk, or Arkel utility basket
pannier.

Steve

I use Nashbar panniers for Shoes, clothes and shower stuff and I use a rack trunk for my lunch and some repair tools.

My commute is 18.5 miles, I ride a converted mountain bike that I built up as a commuter, Chromoly (4130) frame, planet bike freddy hardcore fenders, brooks B-17 saddle, continental top touring 2000, 26 X 1.75 tires, XT drive train, topeak rack mule rack and topeak bar bag, performance panniers, nightrider head and tail lights, a cateye blinky rear light as a back up tail light. The bike usually weighs just about 80 pounds on Monday, betweem 50 and 60 pounds on tuesday, thursday and friday and anywhere from 60 to 120 pounds on Wednesday (grocery day). On weekends my touring bike weighs around 25 pounds loaded and ready to go. So far this year I have just over 10,900 miles since January 1, 2003, Most years I go between 10,000 and 15,000 miles, Oh I'm 48 years old. That's about it.

I have a pair of small Jandd panniers that I got in the early 90s (those have really lasted well) During the week I use one of those for my lunch, thermos et al and an Arkel Briefcase (http://www.panniers.com/panniers/briefcase/index.asp?page=overview) for my laptop. BTW the Arkel Briefcase is the best thing ever(tm). My "adventure" touring bike and this load is pretty heavy, but considering that my commute is short I think of pushing the weight as extra training. :)

Right now I'm using panniers. I did switch to a backpack for a while when I started using my old bike (no pannier rack on that), but then I buggered up my shoulder, so I'm back to the panniers. In truth, I think I'll stick with those and just get a pannier rack for my beater bike.

I use Karrimor panniers. I use only one pannier, left side pannier closest to traffic, makes me more visible with the pannier reflective tape.
No problem using only one of the panniers. I have filled the pannier with papersheets, pretty heavy. No problem with balance, you automatic compensate by leaning the bike a little.

Oh yes, I also use a barbag, VauDe, waterresistant. Great for mobile, wallet and keys. Also for rainwear easy accessable.

I use lots of different ones. I used panniers all winter, but got sick of looking at them and took them off the bike in the spring. I need new ones for this winter. On my regular commuter bike I use a rackbag (a Bell Pro model - makes a nice beer cooler for a six pack when it's not on the bike) for work clothes, a handlebar bag for rainwear and a seat bag for tools and tubes. When the weather is nice I ride my road bike, just with a sports bag with an over the shoulder strap.

The sports bag works very well, unless I have a lot of lumpy stuff in it, then it gets to be a pain.

Started with panniers, but then had to lose the rack. Moved to messenger bags, but I found I carried too much, and my shoulder would fatigue too easily. Now, I just use a small backpack I got cheap from Walgreen's. Keeping it small forces me to carry what I need, not what I might or might not need. It's like $5.99. Aaaaaaaaaah.... success! :D

Koffee

For commuting, I use a set of Performance panniers. They're great for groceries and errands. I sold a set of Arkels to a couple of tourists, and they donated their old set to me!

I use an LL Bean Original Backpack which I find just the right size and has a reflective strip on it. I also use a basket in the front depending on which bike I am using.

Originally posted by mrfix
My commute is 18.5 miles, I ride a converted mountain bike that I built up as a commuter, Chromoly (4130) frame, planet bike freddy hardcore fenders, brooks B-17 saddle, continental top touring 2000, 26 X 1.75 tires, XT drive train, topeak rack mule rack and topeak bar bag, performance panniers, nightrider head and tail lights, a cateye blinky rear light as a back up tail light. The bike usually weighs just about 80 pounds on Monday, betweem 50 and 60 pounds on tuesday, thursday and friday and anywhere from 60 to 120 pounds on Wednesday (grocery day). On weekends my touring bike weighs around 25 pounds loaded and ready to go. So far this year I have just over 10,900 miles since January 1, 2003, Most years I go between 10,000 and 15,000 miles, Oh I'm 48 years old. That's about it.

mrfix,
Do you have the digital photo of your bike?

Multiple choice would have helped on this poll.

I use a rack trunk all the time -- it carries my lock, tools, glasses, wallet, spare tube, etc. In the summer, it's big enough to take a polo shirt, shorts and underwear rolled up.

As the weather cools and I also need to carry rain gear or bulkier clothes, I add one or two panniers as needed (small Arkel MTB models).

My most extremely loaded commute would involve the rack trunk and Arkel briefcase on the back, and two panniers on the lowrider in front.

RichC

Messenger bag.

I've been using the same old battered, well-loved Zo bag for twelve years now.

I use Arkel T42 panniers for my commute. Usually, I just attach the left one, but add the right when needed. I know others on this forum use the T42s and other Arkel panniers for touring and commuting. They are excellent, as many others have said. For short errands, I use a small Sumex tech bag with a strap--messenger-bag style. It carries the essentials and comes off the bike, with me attached.

On my UO-8, I have a 1970s cylindrical Bellwether handlebar bag which is beginning to fall apart, but I cannot find another. I have a small tube-and-tool bag under the saddle of each bike and a Pletscher mousetrap rack on each of the Peugeots. On the mountain bike, I have a Blackburn Mtn rack, which I had to clamp to the stays because dropout eyelets would be out of place on a Ned Overend team issue frame! I put a bike bag atop the blackburn rack for light shopping and commuting.

I have a fifteen year old North Face backpack I use. Years ago, I was going thru a pack a year commuting, and I decided to spend a little more and buy the best I could find. The main compartment closes with a drawstring, not a zipper, and there's a much smaller zippered compartment. It's a bit larger than a regular knapsack/bookbag and can carry a good amount of groceries, as well.

If I'm just carrying a few items, I have a messenger bag I got a couple of years ago. Plus I have a weatherproof tube I use to carry drawings in-- it can either be placed in the knapsack or strapped on the messenger bag.

I went the cheap route when I started commuting and got a pair of REI panniers (~950 cubic inches each) for about $70 for the pair. They have lots of compartments. They're durable but not waterproof. Whenever I get caught in an afternoon shower everything gets soaked. Often the panniers aren't completely dry the next morning.
After getting soaked a few times I bought a pair of Nashbar waterproof panniers that are a little larger than the REI and don't have compartments so have only used them a few times. They are large enough that the "packed" REI panniers fit inside the Nashbar panniers to keep things dry.

All of the above at one time or another. If it is nice weather & I take my road bike, handlebar bag & lumbar pack. Most of the time I take my hybrid or MTB with a rear rack & trunk. In the summer I may add panniers if I'm planning on getting corn at the farm stand, hauling newspaper to work or bringing pet food home. In the winter, always panniers to carry a set of warm outerwear in case of a serious mechanical, and extra dry gloves and mittens in case I missed on my weather prediction.

Usually I ride my converted mountain bike (drop h/bars, bar-end shifters, road gearing, full fenders, etc.) with a rack and a small Performance trunk bag. The bag is decent but a little too small so I sometimes suppliment it with a mussette bag from Rivendell made from waxed cotton duck. I think that bag will outlast me!

I've used my backpack since I got it for Christmas '86. It's getting pretty gross.

I try to carry as little as possible and it helps that at work, I have a locker that holds everything I need. I've been in that locker for 18 years and have refined the contents every year. I even do my laundry at work.

All I really need for the comutte is lunch, my cell and, once a week, my book.

I use an Inertia Design's business briefcase pannier on my Vision R40 recumbent. It has plenty of room for my laptop, change of clothes and lunch.

I use a Timbuk2 Pee Wee messenger bag. I leave the shoes at work. The relatively small size keeps me from packing too much! It carries shirt, pants, socks, etc., and a small lunch without too much hassle. I also use a decent sized seatpost bag for my wallet, keys, spare tire/levers, etc.

Cat,

You get all that in a Pee Wee? I have trouble sometimes getting my stuff into an El Ocho (M). I've got a Bolo (XL) that will just about hold anything. TimBuk2 bags are nice, and can sometimes be found on eBay for a good price.

Makoa,

I just have to keep the lunch small...like a sandwich size container and I'm good. The nice thing is with the flap, you can really stuff it, if necessary. I could even take shoes in a pinch (no room for lunch). 90% of the time the size is great.

I have a NorthFace daypack. It holds a lot of stuff and is very comfortable except for the sweaty back.

Mrfix, after reading your weight list all I can say, along with your miles is...
Go Man, Go!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I use a rear rack and bungee cord net to hold a rafting dry sack. All my clothes get to work clean and dry (But slightly mussed).
The shoes stay at work in a locker along with socks and underwear (Just in case). I also wear a hydration pack with quite a bit of storage available if necessary. Every thing seems to be working just great! :D

I use one waterproof pannier with Ortlieb-style rolling closing system.

--J

I use the left pannier of a Arkel GT-54 set. It's large enough to carry documents, food and entertaiment for 12 hour shifts of boredom. A shoulder strap is attached and hidden in the top pocket when riding, along with the cable lock. I still carry a handlebar bag as a habit and it carries my riding essentials like tools, tubes, wind jacket, etc. I try to bring everything I will need at the beginning of the week and use only the handlebar bag for the rest of the week.

I can't stand backpacks and the Arkel is very easy to attach/detach.

I use a Nashbar waterproof bag which I think is OEMed from Ortleib.

The bag had a flaw that the rivits used to hold the top hooks on were weak but I fixed them using some flush-mount aluminum bolt/nuts used for storm door repairs...

I also use a top bag on the rack to carry the battery for the lights & car-horn and spare parts/tube/tools for the bike and lock.

The pannier typically carries my laptop, papers, and a change of clothes.

A small Timbuktu for me (forget model). Complete with sweat-salty strap from the summer heat!! Had panniers for a couple years and found the messenger bag to provide the most flexibility. (I removed the rack from my Trek 520 on the first day I got it.)

Also, I often throw my bike inside the back of my wife's van and not having panniers/rack is helpful. Also, pannier racks get in the way of stacking multiple bikes on a bike rack. (I use my commuter fairly often on weekend rides.)

I just noticed this morning that the external mesh pockets on my Salomon backpack are coming apart. I read somewhere that this would happen... but the bag was on sale, and I am a bag junky. I guess it's back to the TimBuk2 before too long.

My 2 cents, better late than never....

Backpack, mainly because I'm too cheap to spend money on panniers at the moment. I've had the same backpack for commuting for about 7 years or so now. It's still holding up well, and has a frame that keeps the bag off my back so keeping cool has not been too much of a factor. My back gets a bit sweaty, so maybe I'll bite the bullet and actually get some panniers next summer....

mrfix: you are my hero.

I really like the Trek stuff. I've got their top-of-the-line rack trunk (with foldout panniers): great,versatile bag. Their convertable handlebar bag/fanny pack is great, too.

In the warm months when I'm on my road bike, I ride with the Trek handlebar bag and a Jandd seat wedge (for tube and tools). In the colder months (when I need more clothes) I swap the Jandd wedge for my Trek rack trunk.

When I'm riding my 3-speed (mostly around town, sometimes commuting) I use a Camelbak with my 3-speed tools, tube, pump, etc. Not much room for much else, but it generally works out OK between the Camelbak and the beer basket on the front.

I'm another Timbuk2 user. The medium one, I think. I love it. Might get round to shortening the straps soon though. I always seem to have a lot of excess!

Ellie