Ranger Jake

Servus!

Foob - I went all out and got a Timbuk2 bag and it has been worth every penny I spent. I know that you're a poor student who will have to subsist on generic beer and Mac&Cheeze for the next few years, but it'S worth it.

Work like one of Santa's elves to get a bag of this caiber with all the heavy-duty bells and whistles.

fubar5

LOL!! Thanks Ranger Jake!

oceanrider

On the subject of commuting to and from school loaded down with all those books, what is most helpful... panniers or messenger bag. I have a Blackburn Backtrails rack that should be plenty sturdy since I've carried everything on it from groceries to kitty litter. But then you've got to transfer the stuff from the panniers to something to carry around campus.

I too am planning on going back to school during the Winter term. I'll be doing a bike/train commute. Anyone commute with a bike/train combo? I wonder where you put the bike when you get on the train. I have an information session at the campus next week and you have around 30 seconds to board the train.

fubar5

Yikes!!!! A Timbuk2 Dee-Dog is about 96 bucks!!! It had better last all 4-6 years of school!!!

Michel Gagnon

I don't like the idea of carrying something on me, so I'm biased against the messenger bag. Two ideas:

1. One (or sometimes 2) panniers. You will definitely need heavy duty panniers if you don't want holes in them. I like Arkel's, but they aren't cheap (I have the T-42 and GT-54). Their top-loading models might be more practical. Arkel (and a few other manufacturers) offer a shoulder strap to carry the panniers more easily.

2. If you like to walk with a backpack, get a milk crate -- renovation centres and large-surface retail outlets sell a few variants of these -- and put the backpack in it. The milk crate has low theft value, and if you attach it with twine or metal wire, it will be solidly attached to the bike and nothing will sway. Getting stuff on and off the bike is then a matter of seconds.

Regards.

fubar5

Check this baby out!! I'm getting it from Ebags.com. IT's jsut as big as a Timbuk2 Dee-Dog, and super-tough, but more affordable...but without the ability to customize.

bikeman

Fubar - I've been using one of these packs for over 2 years now after years of pannier bags. I made the switch so I could ride more than one bike and not have to worry about mounting racks on all the frames. The design keeps the pack away from your back to you don't get a sweat puddle. Go for the larger size if you have lots of stuff. Fits snug and doesn't move around. Helmet holder and rain cover are great.

Vaude site

Good luck with school.

fubar5

Bikeman, does that have waist straps?

bikeman

Yes it has waist straps that are padded at the hips and an adjustable chest strap too. There is a outer zippered pocket (the back panel expands out) that I throw my wallet and keys in. If you unzip the main compartment zipper, inside the flap is a mesh compartment with a zipper that I put my deodorant, lock, washcloth and spare other junk. Not huge by convenient. The only place I've ever gotten sweaty with this is under the padded shoulder straps on a REALLY hot morning ride to work. I always wear a cycling jersey and shorts for my commute so everything drys out during the day. Not a big problem.

The rain cover is actually part of the pack. It is rolled up and tucked into a velcro closure panel at the bottom of the pack so you can't lose it. Just undo the panel, yank the very bright yellow cover out and pull it up and over the entire pack. It has elastic around the edges and a drawstring too with a reflective logo on it. Pretty neat design. The helmet holder works great and is removable too. I bought the Vaude 30 size and sometimes wish I'd gone up a size in order to fit extra clothes in it as well as a sack lunch. Little tight when I add the lunch so I've been putting my drink and lunch in a separate seatpost mounted suspended bag lately. It also has two very expandable mesh pockets on the outsides to put water bottles or other stuff. I usually put a rolled up rainjacket or my arm warmers in there.

Here is how I set up my bag. I have dress casual for work so a suit is not an issue:

Shoes are a pain, so I put them in first with the sole down on the first one and the sole up on the second (socks and belt are inside the shoes). I then have taken my slacks, undies and shirt and folded into thirds and put them in a heavy weight plastic drawstring bag (got one from The Gap store that worked great for a year then finally ripped at the top). I slip the bag with the clothes in flat on top of the shoes, glasses case and cell phone on top of that and zip it up. Done. Takes about 2 minutes.

People will look at you weird because the bag is so form-fitting that it looks like part of your body (hey we're used to being stared at - who cares?!). If you look around there are other bags out available, but this one is the only one I've found that keeps the surface of the bag away from your back. The design uses a stressed frame of light materials and is under tension. Check out the website for better photos and explanation of the design. I originally saw it in a Terry Bicycles catalog, tracked down the manufacturer and ordered directly from them since I didn't have a local source and I wanted blue rather than silver which is what Terry bikes offered. There are a few mailorder houses that carry it now.

Man I really went on about this pack. Guess I should go into sales or something. I really do like it though. I almost forgot it also has an hydration bladder with hose and bite-valve that is a little extra, like $10. I got it, but haven't used it yet. I have a friend that has the same pack and commutes 12 months a year and has used it on short as well as long trips. It does take up a little space of course but could be nice on longer rides in the hot weather.

oceanrider

That's a beautiful system. I opted for one of those plastic milk crates bunjied on the rack every way possible for stability. I throw my standard backpack in there and save my back a whole lot of wear and tear. Total investment: $20 for backpack; milk crate $0.00. It's great for carrying around groceries and hauling just about anything that will fit in there.