Originally Posted by
veloiste
I've been commuting with a backpack for over a year, but I just recently installed a rack and bought some Ortleib Back Roller classics. Holy crap! What a difference! My back is no longer sweaty and it's so nice being able to move easier without something on your back. I honestly can't believe I didn't make this change sooner.
The only other change I'm considering making is buying a trunk bag for things like drinks and my soup cup. I find it hard to keep these things upright in a pannier. Alternatively, I could get a small basket to mount on the front and use small bungee cords to tie down everything.
Do any of you transport drinks or food? How do you do it?
Frankly, if you are carrying enough stuff to fill panniers...assuming you are using both...you are carrying too much stuff! For the past 37 years of commuting, all I've needed was a trunk bag like this one
DSCN0387 by
Stuart Black, on Flickr
It carries a lunch (usually some leftover in a flat plastic box), two apples, pants, socks, underwear and a shirt. If it warms up enough, the sides fold down to carry extra bicycle clothes on the way home. On Saturdays, I add a lock (without any problem) because I have to park outside of my bicycle co-op but it fits in without issues