Commuting - HELP!? Panniers designed for the Commuter

hi guys,
I'm a third year 3D design for Sustainability student over at University College Falmouth - for my first minor project I'm re-designing and re-thinking the cycle pannier for the cycle commuter using a racing road bike. My concept is to design a pannier which is not purely aimed at the touring market - or mearly a spin off...just smaller!
I really need to know your thoughts on some topics and area's of the designs and to also narrow down the field that I want to design for; Some of the things that really make sense and the ones that don't make sense at all for you - the commuter.
My aim is to help improve the ease of commuting, encouraging more and more people to hit the street on bikes instead of just taking the car - as well as being able to take their racier bike, moving away from having to have a second - relaxed - heavy - ugly - commuter bike.

- How much do you carry? does cycling change what you take?
- Would you like a pannier that complimented the racing bike - for those who commute with speed and still want maximum performance?
- With weight similar to the max capacity of a backpack - would it be advantageous to design without the pannier rack at all - with some frames not even being able to support such a system? would a system that connects to the frame/seat post be easier, especially if they only own one bike for commuting and training/leisure?
- How often do you cycle commute?
- Why do you do it?
- Is visability very important to you?
- How much would you be willing to spend on such a product?
- Is it important to be ealily washable/Lockable/Transportable off the bike?

Please let me know what you think! Your opinions are very important to my design process, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Jesse

Bags that clip direct to the frame have a load limit. Carradice (http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=category&category_id=29) make this kind of saddlebag in their SQR range.

So have you taken a complete market survey of what is already in the shops?

Front Bags on Bromptons work well, they are attached to the front of the headtube.

already a zillion panniers on the shelves , designing just for the fixie hipsters?
or for the regular folks .

Style of bikes vary widely ,,rack and panniers or , perhaps a Beam Rack mount?


I guess the web is like going around with a clipboard, but less effort.

laptop pouch (removable)
doubles as comfortable back pack (or msgr bag)
pouches for wallets, cell phones, etc.

hi guys,
I'm a third year 3D design for Sustainability student over at University College Falmouth - for my first minor project I'm re-designing and re-thinking the cycle pannier for the cycle commuter using a racing road bike. My concept is to design a pannier which is not purely aimed at the touring market - or mearly a spin off...just smaller!


Welcome! Sounds like a fun project.


I really need to know your thoughts on some topics and area's of the designs and to also narrow down the field that I want to design for; Some of the things that really make sense and the ones that don't make sense at all for you - the commuter.
My aim is to help improve the ease of commuting, encouraging more and more people to hit the street on bikes instead of just taking the car - as well as being able to take their racier bike, moving away from having to have a second - relaxed - heavy - ugly - commuter bike.

- How much do you carry? does cycling change what you take?
- Would you like a pannier that complimented the racing bike - for those who commute with speed and still want maximum performance?
- With weight similar to the max capacity of a backpack - would it be advantageous to design without the pannier rack at all - with some frames not even being able to support such a system? would a system that connects to the frame/seat post be easier, especially if they only own one bike for commuting and training/leisure?
- How often do you cycle commute?
- Why do you do it?
- Is visability very important to you?
- How much would you be willing to spend on such a product?
- Is it important to be ealily washable/Lockable/Transportable off the bike?

Please let me know what you think! Your opinions are very important to my design process, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Jesse

1. I usually carry a change of clothes, a laptop, spare tubes and some tools, and every now and then some lunch fixings.
2. I appreciate things on a bike that flow, and look like they belong. It appeals to the artist in me.
3. Current rack/pannier setups are not very space efficient. The ideal design would be tailored to the bike, and use wasted space around the rear wheel and triangle for storage. For a mass-produced system, it would be harder, but not impossible to make it shaped around the rear wheel to increase capacity, lower the COG, and make it more aero. If you've seen racks with panniers and trunk bags, you see what I mean... you could make that all one unit.
3.5. Removability is always a plus, as is adjustability. That kind of limits you, but a quick-release couldn't hurt, with the option of locking bolts for security.
4. I cycle commute 3-5 times a week, about 8.25 miles each way.
5. I commute by bike because I like riding, it helps me keep my weight down, and I don't like beating my car up every day.
6. My morning ride is before sunrise, I have bright lights on the bike, so visibility is pretty important. As always, options are a good thing. Light mounts, areas to include reflective tape, etc.
7. I'm a seriously frugal guy, it would have to be simple and affordable... the option of having a "stripped down" version would be nice. I'd say for my needs, $100 for a full storage system would be about the limit of what I would spend. It is a commuter, after all.
8. Washable is nice, but I bring my bike into work with me, I don't need lockable storage just yet.

hi guys,
I'm a third year 3D design for Sustainability student over at University College Falmouth - for my first minor project I'm re-designing and re-thinking the cycle pannier for the cycle commuter using a racing road bike. My concept is to design a pannier which is not purely aimed at the touring market - or mearly a spin off...just smaller!
I really need to know your thoughts on some topics and area's of the designs and to also narrow down the field that I want to design for; Some of the things that really make sense and the ones that don't make sense at all for you - the commuter.
My aim is to help improve the ease of commuting, encouraging more and more people to hit the street on bikes instead of just taking the car - as well as being able to take their racier bike, moving away from having to have a second - relaxed - heavy - ugly - commuter bike.


Sounds interesting. The most important things to me from a commuting point of view are:
Easy to attach/detach pannier from bike (but still secure, I don't want the panniers to detach while riding).
and
Easy to carry off the bike(switches to backpack or briefcase mode when off the bike, or at the least has a comfortable strap).

Personally I carry clothes, lunch, lock, tools, shoes, work stuff, etc. Basically the same things I would bring if I were driving with the addition of extra weather related clothing.

Good luck with the project.

- How much do you carry? does cycling change what you take?
- Would you like a pannier that complimented the racing bike - for those who commute with speed and still want maximum performance?
- With weight similar to the max capacity of a backpack - would it be advantageous to design without the pannier rack at all - with some frames not even being able to support such a system? would a system that connects to the frame/seat post be easier, especially if they only own one bike for commuting and training/leisure?
- How often do you cycle commute?
- Why do you do it?
- Is visability very important to you?
- How much would you be willing to spend on such a product?
- Is it important to be ealily washable/Lockable/Transportable off the bike?

Please let me know what you think! Your opinions are very important to my design process, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Jesse

-I carry less than 15 pounds
-I have 2 bikes. My LHT is set up with Rack and I have panniers already (that I rarely use). My Hard tail has nothing.
-I wish my panniers could double as as backpack and look like a backpack (sternum strap, hip belt, venting on back, comfortable shoulder straps)
-most racks can be put on or taken off rather easily.
-I commute everyday
-I enjoy it and I don't like spending money on gas
-Black material with reflective piping is nice and with fewer logos. I'm really not into cycling specific bright colors, or markings, or something that will necessarily catch someones eye.
-Less than $70
-I want something I can take off the bike and take with me without many adjustments necessary. Thats why I usually bungee my back pack to my rack instead of using my panniers.

Good luck

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