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Storage
Hey team
I have a do it all recreational and commuter - 2015 Focus Mares AX 2.0 - currently running 28mm durano plus. I'm looking for storage to hold a set of clothes (undies, slacks, top, deodorant) etc and maybe even some work shoes for my commutes to work. Caveat is, it needs to be easy to remove for the days i want to do a rec ride. At this point of time i'm thinking a handlebar bag of sorts between the drops, but i really have no idea what i should be looking at. I trying to move away from using a cycling backpack so i'm free to enjoy the ride instead of feeling like a donkey. Thanks in advance. |
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Leave a pair of shoes at work, they always take up too much space. Maybe you can get a small frame pack like what you would use for bikepacking. Something similar to the Specialized Burra Burra frame pack (and there are many other brands) should hold a change of clothes without adding to your wind resistance.
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There’s several kinds of “quick release” bags. Panniers are often held down to the rack with a spring or bungee on the bottom and hooks on top. Rivendell has something for large saddlebags that used a hub skewer. A handlebar bag can use a decaleur. Topeak sells a rack and bag system called MTX where the bag slides in and latches, and some of the bags are large... the one that came with my trike is a top bag whose sides unfold to panniers. And one of the racks is a seat post cantilever type that comes off with one pinch bolt. Undoing a frame triangle bag isn’t that quick - it’s eight or ten 2” Velcro straps. But it does have the advantage of needing no rack. |
Originally Posted by illdrag0n
(Post 20836592)
...it needs to be easy to remove for the days i want to do a rec ride.
Originally Posted by RoadKill
(Post 20836653)
Leave a pair of shoes at work
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Something like this: https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...ckville-bagboy
They have other sizes as well, but this gives you an idea. It'll take a little bit to futz with the buckles to remove, but just a minute or 2. |
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
(Post 20836821)
Here's what I do...
Thanks to bikeforums I have been leaving a pair of shoes at the office for years, and it makes a huge difference in my back pack! this vid honestly helped me, trying it out tomorrow while commuting to work on the road bike with only a rear rack |
Originally Posted by Joe Bikerider
(Post 20841886)
no way I’ll ever go back to that site. Do they really think the wiggling over the top ad will atract anyone? Bye bye Banjo. |
I got a deal in a craigslist buy where I picked up a full set of Topeak MTX bags and racks and they are one of the best things I’ve bought. I have large and small bags with collapsible side Panniers and a basket all of which just slide on and lock into place on any of my MTX racks. I even have one quick release rack that attaches to the seat post and can be added or removed from my MTB as needed. I use the large rack for my commutes and can collapse or expand the side pannier sections as needed. I use the small bag when I want to go out for a ride but might need some extra storage for layers or think I might pick something up while out. I have a separate carbon road bike so if I want to go fully light then that’s what I ride. If the weather is iffy, or I might need to carry stuff I take the aluminum/commuter/gravel bike with the rack. |
Originally Posted by phile
(Post 20841919)
this vid honestly helped me, trying it out tomorrow while commuting to work on the road bike with only a rear rack
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
(Post 20842784)
I'm curious know how it worked out.
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A lightweight Tubus rack such as the Fly Evo or Vega Evo plus a single Ortlieb pannier. The rack (particularly the Fly) is so minimal you'll just leave it on all the time. And Ortlieb panniers attach and lift off in about two seconds. Removal is seriously just lifting a handle. This is my commuter setup.
Well, actually I have a Fly on my road bike and a Tubus Cargo Evo on my commuter. The Cargo is overkill for a commuter, though. I'll probably re-list it on ebay after I've found a Vega to take its place. |
Originally Posted by phile
(Post 20843591)
have a messenger bag i mostly use while going to work and just bought a couple of 45 cm bungee cords. tied some knots in order to shorten them and it worked pretty well. did use a third one on top to hold it down just in case, bust still way easier than my usual set up.
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
(Post 20844550)
Nice!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...752668fed1.jpg |
If the rack were lower you might not need the top bungee, but this looks like it should work. In the rain you could just cover it with a plastic trash bag, which you could carry folded up in the bag.
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Originally Posted by BobbyG
(Post 20849689)
If the rack were lower you might not need the top bungee, but this looks like it should work. In the rain you could just cover it with a plastic trash bag, which you could carry folded up in the bag.
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Rear trunk rack plus pannier bags.
It's the solution that was specifically designed to address the problem you want to solve. The bags hold securely to the rack when riding but pop off with ease (no bolts, snaps, fasteners, etc) when you don't want them. For carrying a full set of clothes in a single pannier I recommend a minimum of a 15 liter bag. And that's it's you have small feet (and thus small shoes). If you've got size 11's or bigger make the minimum an 18 liter bag. A pair of 15 liter bags (one on each side of the bike) will get most anyone through their day with a full change of clothes, lunch, a book, maybe a laptop, etc. |
I'm a rear rack & trunk kind of person ...
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It's also worth noting that every option presented in this thread so far is a viable one that will solve the OP's needs.
None of them are stupid. The 'best' one all depends on the OP's personal preference. OP, you can't go wrong picking the options here that appeals to you the most. You might change your mind 2 years down the road once you have more experience using the option you picked. But they will all work and the only thing that matters is which one YOU like the best. |
I've been using an Ibera Pakrak bag and rack system. The bag will hold everything you said including the shoes. It has a solid locking system that can be attached/detached in seconds. I've been using the same bag for 3 years and it's still rip free and the zippers are still solid. I do use a rain cover in inclement weather.
Products | Ibera ? The Cycling Life |
Originally Posted by Skipjacks
(Post 20850244)
It's also worth noting that every option presented in this thread so far is a viable one that will solve the OP's needs.
None of them are stupid. The 'best' one all depends on the OP's personal preference. OP, you can't go wrong picking the options here that appeals to you the most. You might change your mind 2 years down the road once you have more experience using the option you picked. But they will all work and the only thing that matters is which one YOU like the best. |
Thanks everyone! Certainly a lot of food for thought
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If you have a place to store things at work, consider going a step further and bringing a couple changes of clothes with you at a time. Then you can have days off from transporting things and travel really lightly. :thumb:
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
(Post 20856830)
backpack.
the way i look at it ...is its training...a big backpack make u stronger. sure its make yur back hot n sweaty...but its conditioning for the real seruous weekend rides! |
Originally Posted by mtb_addict
(Post 20857105)
Sweaty back can be minimized by using those framed hiking backpack with a standoff mesh.
I use one by Aldi ($10)...it is only 10-liter...but it's just enough to carry my summer work cloths. The OP has a fast road bike, and putting a rack on a road bike is just a pita...having to deal with p-clamps or seat post clamp. And with heel strikes, aerodynamic penalty, and extra weight. I just don't like it on a road bike. |
You can still get external frame packs? I thought they died out decades ago |
Originally Posted by mtb_addict
(Post 20857105)
Sweaty back can be minimized by using those framed hiking backpack with a standoff mesh.
I use one by Aldi ($10)...it is only 10-liter...but it's just enough to carry my summer work cloths. The OP has a fast road bike, and putting a rack on a road bike is just a pita...having to deal with p-clamps or seat post clamp. And with heel strikes, aerodynamic penalty, and extra weight. I just don't like it on a road bike. I want to be able to strip it back easily for longer road rides on weekends etc. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qm...w1410-h1057-no |
I have a Topeak rear rack and bag. It's 4 screws if I want to pull it off for a long ride on the weekend. Pre-stage shoes at work - they take up too much space.
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Get one of the large saddlebags. I have an oveja negra gearjammer. Easily removable, no sweat on the back. I used to have a backpack, night and day difference in comfort.
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