Cyclist0383

[QUOTE=eibeinaka]Where do you live?

MichaelW

My Carradice cootton bags have survived about 10 yrs so far with a few holes from crashes which would have burnt through nyloon and wrecked them.

I do reprooof using the same wax as for waxed cotton jackets (Barbour style). You melt the wax and smear the liquid on then finish with a hair dryer. I dont know if this is recommended but it seems to work OK.

eibeinaka

[QUOTE=Ziemas]Northern Virginia. Believe me, it rains a fair bit here.

Cyclist0383

[QUOTE=eibeinaka]I think by winter he meant snow, slush, ice, salt, and sand. I live in a harsh winter enviroment and use an Arkel Bug during the nice months, but Ortleib in the winter.

The salty slush is really bad, it wipes right off the Ortleibs.

Hawkegirl

I like my arkles a lot! My two cents is to get them, and bring with you to the bike shop the stuf you want to carry on your comute so you can make sure you get a bag size that will work for you.

I would also say though there are good back packs out there. This is a good one: https://www.chromebags.com/messengerpacks.html

eibeinaka

[QUOTE=Ziemas][QUOTE=eibeinaka]
I think by winter he meant snow, slush, ice, salt, and sand.

We get the first four!

Hairgirl

I hadn't thought about winter. I'm not sure if I'll ride my bike through slush.. I might take the bus instead!

DataJunkie

Move to denver. Winter here is pathetic. Snow generally melts the next day. The worst temps are maybe a week or two of -15F as a minimum. The average for me last year was 15F as a minimum. An easy temp to cope with.

markf

I've been using the Carradice Bike Bureau for just over a year now. It's very sturdy and I can cram it really full with no problems. It's nicely divided and the shoe pocket is nice for people who commute in cycling shoes and change to normal shoes at work.

The only time I've encountered balance problems with a single pannier is when I cycle in the snow, and even then there has to be a fair bit of snow on the road.

Ortlieb makes a padded laptop case that is designed to fit in their briefcase pannier, it fits well in my Carradice as well.

zafracita

Sorry I've been delinquent in my response - been out buying new pedals! Anyway, I don't carry my laptop on my bike, but I could/would if I wanted to. I would probably put it in some kind of protective sleeve, though. I sometimes carry a u lock and a cable, a couple of notebooks, maybe a jacket or shirt, and a piece of fruit or two with some room to spare in the main compartment (plus little things like pens, calculator, pda, etc.), and a wallet, makeup kit, spare tube, and I'm sure a few other things I can't think of right now in the outside pockets. If I want to carry more clothes, which I may in the winter, I will need another bag. The latches don't protrude when you carry the bag because an outside pocket flips over to that side to cover them.

In my experience (and I was worried before I tried it) there is not the slightest difference (other than weight in general) between riding with a single pannier and riding with none. Unless I'm walking the bike, I've never had an issue of balance.

And the cordura version that I have has proven to be totally waterproof.

eibeinaka

Absolutely.

I don't know if that's because of the great fixing system on the Bike Bureau or not. Do people who use other panniers singly go along with this?

zafracita

It's due to the wonder that is the human body - we automatically compensate in our balance!

eibeinaka

Or the glory that is centripedal force (?). Physics not my strong suit!

donnamb 

Well, I went to look at the Ortliebs and also visited the Bike Bureau, and I decided I will ultimately make my life easier by having both, though I can't have both at once! I purchased the Bike Bureau first because the person at Citybikes said the price was going to go up with the next shipment from the UK, and I really need something more office-ish right now. I just cannot stay organized and function without pockets, pouches, and partitions and the Bike Bureau has 'em. So with a 5% discount because I'm a member of a local food co-op, I got the waxed cotton recent model for $98. When I can, I'll get a pair of Ortliebs. If I didn't have to be dressed up in an office, I can see how the Ortliebs would be all that is necessary here in the PacNW. Thank you for steering me in that direction, Bek.

The Bike Bureau is much roomier than the photos I've seen suggest. It's exactly the thing for me at work, although I think I'm going to sew on more reflective material. Wild animals, you'd better get yourself down to Citybikes while the getting is good...

eibeinaka

Got a quick reply to my email to Carradice;

"Cotton Duck can be re proofed with Barbours or Grangers reproofing wax (the
kind used for waxed jackets etc.) You should be able to purchase it from
your local outdoor shop but if you have any problems it is available on our
own website.

Once you have coated the bag with the softened wax (put extra on the seams)
you should apply heat from a hairdryer which will make the wax disperse
evenly into the fabric.

The necessity to reproof varies depending on conditions and regularity of
use of the bag . Maybe after a year and a half constant use, it may be as
well to reproof before winter sets in although I have heard of people using
saddlebags for many years without reproofing at all.
I suggest you monitor the performance of the bag and re proof at your
discretion."

Anybody know where you can get wax for waxed jackets in the States, or a brand of reproofing wax?

chennai

I would be grateful if someone would post some images of the Bureau on a bike. I can't seem to find one. Thanks!

eibeinaka

OK, from the opposite side
https://static.flickr.com/90/240912440_75bc39846b_o.jpg

From the mounting side

https://static.flickr.com/85/248024337_ade7040eb6_o.jpg

They're a bit rough, but hope they help.

donnamb 

It was fun experimenting with the camera on my new Macbook.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/5674970...7594292086510/

My cat though I was nuts pointing the computer at the bike, though.

craigdurkee

i have just bought some panniers they are tioga ones waterproof and very roomy
you can see pics and what i think at www.bicyclecommute.wordpress.com

chennai

Thanks for the photos! You guys are great!

cyccommute 

Many people don't use front panniers alone because they think that the load 'has' to go in the back. Front mounted panniers without rear ones work just fine and, as a bonus, you add stability to the bike's handling. When I use panniers (I usually use a trunk rack - go figure ) for work, I always put them on a low rider in the front.

Ohio Commuter

Has anyone seen or used the Bushwhacker Westwood bag? I don't have anywhere to store clothing at work, so I bring what I need everyday. I like the idea of not having to fold the heck out of my dress pants and shirts to get them to work. I also like the fact the bag drapes over the rack. I have had more problems with my current bags jumping off when I go over a bump. Nothing like retrieving your clothes from the middle of a busy road! My thought is to combine this with a Topeak MTX Quick Track trunk for tools, lunch, etc. Any thoughts?

Steve

CBBaron

Looks like a nice garment bag for commuting, Jandd also makes one:
https://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FCGBP
However the one you linked will NOT work with a rack trunk. The pannier you linked covers the top of the rack where a rack trunk would attach. The Jandd one will work as you desire as is attaches to one side.
Craig