ship69

Hello

Background:
I need to buy some sort of smart over night luggage (for a 2-4 night stay) onto a bicycle... that I can then take onto public transport (train, bus, tube etc). It is likely to be quite heavy and therefore will need wheels when on public transport. I am going to smart business meetings so whatever form of luggage I get, it must be fairly smart as well as being pretty much waterproof in case it rains. I have a robust rack on the rear of my bicycle that can handle panniers.

Re budget, I dont mind spending the money so long as I can use it on an aeroplane and so long as looks fairly pretty smart. It needs to be as large as possible that will still be allowed into a British airline cabin (i.e. must be squeezable down to 55 x 40 x 20 cm). I can't decide if it should be a solid shell or flexible.
AND
It order to be easy to handle on public transport it must have wheels (ideally 4 rather than 2 wheels - to avoid tipping weight, which can be a pain over longer distances).

I have a cabin bag already but I have no obvious way to attach it to my bike's rack. The cabin bag is slightly too floppy to just strap on with bungees - which in any case would probably be quite time consuming (not to mention a danger to one eyes over time!). If I added a flat solid board I could probably stick on my existing rack if I had to but the use of bungees remains rather a pain for repeated use.

Many thanks

J


P.S. Fwiw, I am based in the UK.

KC8QVO

I am not sure how you are going to do this, but I would be interested in others' thoughts if they have some ideas.

Several years ago I got on to Pelican cases. They are great. I use them for everything - ham radio, tools, guns, suit cases, you name it. I had a 1510 series I used as a briefcase that was nice - it had a handle and wheels. However, it is a bit on the small side for my uses. I use a 1610 now, checked luggage.

With that having been said, with a case the size of the 1510, I have no idea how you are going to attach it to a bicycle rack. If you are carrying any weight you need to drop it down low = off the side. With a single large case like that you could drop it off one side, but the weight will be off-balance.

You may have better luck making the case in to a trailer with some small bicycle wheels, or other type that will be adequate for the load and terrain (some kind of rubber, not necessarily inflatable). The wheels/axle/hitch could be something that is attachable/detachable to the case.

mrveloman

going with the trialer idea, Bike Friday makes a carrier to use the folding bike suitcase as a cargo trailer. Perhaps you could use that to carry your own case

https://store.bikefriday.com/product...roducts_id=972 or Bike Friday Trailer Frame Only Reconditioned | eBay

or maybe this: Wike Tourite Bicycle Touring Trailer Road Bike Cargo | eBay

mike

saddlesores

i've seen them paired briefcase style rack-bags.
clipped together, "should" be accepted as 1 carry-on.
not sure about volume or waterproofness, though.

no one asked, just how heavy is this stuff you'll
be carrying? if so heavy you absolutely need 4
wheels, could be too much for your rack, or at
least too much for whatever mounting clips the
bags have.

one option might be a motorcycle rear rack
clam shell. quick release style. you might
need to build yourself a wheel base that
fits in the quick release slots.

CliffordK

I'm surprised that I'm not seeing any bike panniers with wheels. Perhaps that will be the next product boom.

It probably wouldn't take much to modify a small wheeled suitcase to clip onto the rack like a pannier. One issue, of course, is foot clearance. And, it is reasonably easy to ride a bike with a single pannier.

Another option you should consider is a good backpack. Easy to carry, especially in conjunction with transportation, as well as with a bicycle.

mstateglfr 

So...are smart business meetings something confined to across the pond, or are they also stateside and I just happen to always participate in dumb meetings? For what it's worth, I would call 80% of the meetings I sit in on 'dumb'.
What is smart luggage? Like smart enough to know it isn't a ham sandwich? Smart engine to not be unlocked by a thief?

Or does this word mean something totally different over there and I'm being a not so smart American?

saddlesores

they're already out there!

take a look!

https://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/wp...uce-gordon.jpg

phughes

I just use tie down straps.

CliffordK

Those are cute luggage shaped panniers. I'm not sure I would want the fold open style for on the road, but they would be good as luggage.

Panniers ? Nothing is better than a bike that fits

But, I don't see anything indicating airport style wheels that the OP had wished for.

Cam straps are great for attaching many things. And, you can cut to length if too long. I always have odd loads, so long is good.,

ship69

To get clear, "smart" on the East side of The Pond tends to mean: clean, tidy, and well dressed. e.g. "you look very smart" Synonyms: well dressed, well turned out, fashionably dressed, fashionable, stylish, chic, modish, elegant, neat, besuited, spruce, trim, dapper, debonair...

==> Re panniers - yes, this would get me a nice stable low centre of gravity BUT:

a) The two sides would have to clip together (as I only want to pull one piece of luggage behind me)

b) I want an extensible handle + wheels (and if the 2 sides do clip together, then in order to save weight this would mean only wheels+ extensible handle only on one side)

c) Clipping together is a slight pain. As is detaching/attaching two separate pieces of luggage rather than just one.

So on balance I would favour a rigid attachment on TOP of a bike rack. In principle the bike rack could either be a back rack or a front rack. However, given that I go down a fairly steep hill into work, for reasons of stability I think a back rack would be better.


==> Re Rucksack
Too sweaty, and too tending to crumple my shirt & jacket.

==> Re Bungees
Yes, possible... but rather inconvenient to do each time. Bungees also stretch over time, and weaken, and allow things to wobble. And if you get careless when rushing, they can ping off and take out an eye. I would also need to attach some sort of rigid platform for this to work properly...


==> Re trailers
Trailers are not an option. There is a big hill on the way home and this extra weight would be a mighty pain. Also I would need to lock the trailer up at the railway station.

CliffordK

I wear safety glasses, so I don't worry about the bungees snapping. Eye injuries are rare, but apparently they do happen.

Eye Injury-- Beware Bungee Cords!

Anyway, as suggested, cam straps won't snap like the bungee cords.

Balance for moderate loads with one-sided panniers is just fine. You don't need two, or a method to connect them together.

ship69

Yes, cam staps are better than bungees for the eyes however being as it doesn't retract like a bungee you need to be very careful with the left-over/trailing strap to make sure it doesn't get fangled up in the rear wheel.

I remain uneasy about having a huge one-sided pannier:
a) Having a large weight on one side of a bike will mean that I have to lean the entire bike to the opposite direction in order to balance. This will put my (already troublesome) spine into a curve.
b) Sticking out sideways will cause added wind-resistance
c) And will make it harder to get through gaps in the traffic

KC8QVO

I can tell you from experience that much weight on the top of the rack will be unstable. I used to do my day rides with a backpack strapped to the top with my gear in it. The bike was rideable, but I learned to appreciate separate panniers pretty fast so I could drop the center of gravity. The balance/stability side-to-side is very good now, as is handling, however, the weight solely on the back makes going up some steep hills on the gravel trail I ride "interesting".

You may try to put your load on the top to experiment before you purchase a case to try it. Go a little heavier than you think it is going to weigh for a "worst case" scenario.

With regards to panniers on the side and wind - if you put all of the volume of your case on top you will have more trouble in a cross wind than if you have the same volume dropped off the sides. There is more leverage for the wind to push on up top.

ship69

I agree that 2 panniers would be better. But in order to be "wheel-able" on public transport, this would necessitate 2 panniers that clip together and with just one side having the extensible handle + wheels. The problem is that I don't think that anyone sells such a device... (happy to be corrected though [!??])

I can probably live with "slightly unstable". I just need to get to/from the railway station which is about 4 miles.

fietsbob

FWIW Brompton's Front touring bag is about your 55 x 40 x 20 cm (but the wheels remain on the bike)
which goes as checked luggage , you can get a sewn bag or just tape together a big plastic bag, to wrap it in.

within the airport you have trolleys to carry stuff .. between train and airports there is Taxi Hire.

pamaguahiker 

Just a note, from personal experience. I once fit all my clothing and main items I needed in two Axiom panniers. I used some ties and straps on two of the large Cartier DLX (i think these are the model) and just shoved them in the overhead. I had everything I needed for a week in those bags except a tool kit and I mailed it using USPS priority for $5.70 before I left. I didn't think the repair kit would clear security because of all the sharp tools and items. of course there were no wheels but I used a shoulder strap that came with another bike bag to fit it on the two panniers to make carrying it easier.

Tourist in MSN

I have not used my wheeled luggage for about 5 or 6 years. I switched to duffels with shoulder straps.

I check my luggage due to size and weight, the Patagonia Black Hole 120 liter meets my needs pretty well. I remove the shoulder straps before checking it so that they do not hang up in bagage handling equipment.



I recently bought a 90 liter version too, but have not used it yet, thus no photos. The photo is to show the airline personnel when I file a claim for lost luggage, it is much eaiser to show them what it looks like on my camera screen than to describe it.

They make a 60 liter version too, I do not know if that would meet your carryon size requirements.

I usually carry some empty cardboard boxes in it. They are folded and lay flat in the bottom to give it some stiffening since it has no internal structure. And if I am going somewhere that I might buy souvenirs, I will pack some empty card board boxes in the luggage to reserve space for the souvenirs.

The photo below is a carryon sized bag I also use. It has two wheels, extendable handle, and panel that covers the two shoulder straps.



If it is winter and I have to walk thru snow, I wear it as a backpack, otherwise I can roll it on wheels. Also, I occasionally fly on miniature regional planes that have very limited carry on space, they insist on gate checking wheeled bags but when I walk up to the gate with it on my back they let me take it on the plane and put in overhead bin.

You might be able install Ortlieb or Carradice pannier hooks on a regular hard sided carryon, but the hooks would stick out and might be problematic. Also where you install the hooks you would be concentrating the stress, so you might need to reinforce it there so you do not tear the hooks out.

Last idea - get a really good quality grocery store type pannier that is big enough to carry your carry on bag in the pannier. Or a wire basket that you permanently attach to the rack that folds flat when not in use.

ship69

Yes the Brompton's Front touring bag is an amazing size, and would definitely do me in terms of volume. No I am not about to buy an entire Brompton just for this purpose, however maybe I could attach such a thing to my bicycle. The problem is that it does not have wheels. So I would need to put a (smaller) cabin bag inside it. This might just work but what do I do with the bag whilst I park my bike at the railway station?

ship69

> I have not used my wheeled luggage for about 5 or 6 years. I switched to duffels with shoulder straps.
Because I will be walking long distances across the city, carrying a fair weight and doing much public transport wheels are an absolute must.

> The photo below is a carryon sized bag I also use. It has two wheels, extendable handle, and panel that covers the two shoulder straps.
> If it is winter and I have to walk thru snow, I wear it as a backpack, otherwise I can roll it on wheels.

Yes, (albeit as a bonus) I rather like the idea of having shoulder straps as well as wheels (so long as the shoulder straps are properly made and comfortable) for those situations where wheels dont work!

But how do you get that "carryon sized bag" in the photo onto your bike? If I am wearing a decent jacket and/or ironed shirt, using shoulder straps aren't really an option...

saddlesores

there's nothing requiring the wheels to be integral to the bags.
get you some nice hard cases (goldwing/concours touring),
like them pelican bags that clip together.

now just get some dude in a metal shop to fabricate a small
folding base on wheels, with a collapsible handle on a hinge,
that you can bungee to the top of the rack.

ship69

This is indeed a possibility. But
A) How smart/attractive will it look?
B) How much hassle will it take.

Here's the thing - I do not want it all to look overly-weird. In general I do not mind looking rather unusual/eccentric, however I am attending business meetings and I need to come over as sensible, switched-on, respectable, intelligent, reliable. And not too "weird" !!

"Weird" would be an unhelpful distraction...

saddlesores

too many requirements. you're not going to find what you want.
i suggest one of the following:

https://image.made-in-china.com/43f34...for-Adults.jpg

https://daily.sightline.org/wp-conten...93-preview.jpg

https://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/wp-co...styrofoam1.jpg

https://www.rontravel.com/Web_Photos_...er_Chicken.jpg

corrado33

I don't think you're going to find a carrying device that'll be able to strap onto your bike and be useable. If it's a single bag, it'll be too heavy and will throw your balance off if you strap it to the TOP of your rack. You've already said that you don't want two separate bags, so that pretty much rules out strapping things to your bike. You've also said that you want 4 wheels because (I'm assuming) this bag will be heavy. I wouldn't want to strap something that big to my bike anyway.

What I would suggest is a bag with really beefy wheels. Strap the (beefy) handle to your seatpost and use the bag as the trailer. The wheels would have to be replaceable of course. Perhaps rollerblade wheels (those are pretty tough.) Not quite convinced that they'd hold up very well, but then again people ride skateboards around for years without replacing the wheels, I'd imagine rollerblade wheels are made of similar materials.

It could look as smart as you're willing to buy.

CliffordK

That sounds a bit like the Burley Travoy.

https://www.burley.com/product/travoy/

I have a backpack/roller convertible suitcase (Swiss Army) which is nice. However, at least dragging it along outdoor sidewalks, there is always some rubbing over bumpy terrain. Perhaps a clean road surface would be better.

ship69

Yes, yes - have your fun.
Amusing maybe, but not helpful!

To get clear:
What I really want is to transport a "weekend-sized" bag which has a modern extendible handle and wheels on a bicycle.

Is this really such an unusual requirement?