jpearl

My ride to work ranges anywhere (depending on route) from 2 miles to six miles. I ride in my normal cycling clothes (everything from helmet and full lycra down to clipless shoes), and since I'm a graphic designer, I don't need to switch into anything too snazzy, just a normal pair of jeans, shirt, and sneakers. I stuff my clothes along with a towel, deoderant, filofax, iPod, bike gear such as mini pump, tube, tools, etc..., and other asorted stuff for a day of work in front of the computer. All of my stuff goes into the same Camelback I use for hiking, so it's basically a daypack that is comfortable, but not the most convenient for carrying all of this stuff.

So here's the question:
What kind of backpack does everyone use for thier commutes? Do you use a backpack or a messenger-style shoulder pack? Do you have any packing secrets or tips? Any brands in particular, and what do you generally put in there for a day of riding and working?

Thanks,
Jpearl

greenstork

https://www.chromebags.com/

I use a Metropolis for my 12 mile round trip commute. I carry all my clothes each day, except shoes.

CrosseyedCrickt

The backpack I use, when I use a backpack, cost me $7.99 at K-Mart and does the job fine when I need it.
Most of the time though I just strap things to my rack. I have a rear rack with bungee net to hold things in place. I put stuff in a waterproof camping bag, rool it up, and tuck it under the net.
All my tools and wot-not go in my wedge.

wneumann

Same here. Bright orange and white -- holds a ton.

ragboy

Chrome bags are pricey but one of the most well-made -- it depends on how much you want to spend. I almost bought the Chrome Metropolis, but I was concerned the bag with wide seat-belt strap would get awful hot in the summer months. I road with a cheapie no name messenger style bag for a few months until I took the plunge on panniers -- I may have lost some cool points, but I won't be going back. It's so much nicer not having anything attached to me.

Phantoj

Two to six miles? I dare you to ride to work in your "normal" street clothes... Will save you a lot of hassle, and if you shower before you go, you won't be stinky.

derath

I use a Wingnut gear Adventure.
https://www.wingnutgear.com/product_details.cfm?id=112

But my commute is not in the norm of commutes in this forum, from what I have seen.

When I commute (my normal commute consists of walking downstairs to the home office), it is a 31 mile one way (62 mile round trip) ride.

I carry a change of clothes for work, including dress shoes. I keep a set of toiletries at the office. Plus some work related items. PDA/phone, and such. I also generally pack my lunch.

The key thing I like about the pack is that it sits really low on your back. So it keeps the center of gravity lower, and is more comfortable for me while riding.

Definitely not a cheap pack though.

-D

The Rob

North Face Hot Shot, older style, black. Very nice pack with a sternum strap and waist belt. Plenty large but not enough compartments (I'm a chronic organizer ).

hairlessbill

I use a Chrome Metropolis for winter and a Deuter Cross Bike (like a TransAlp) in the summer. I like the Deuter packs cuz they have a raised mesh back (they call it their Air Comfort system) and they are bike-specific so they have features like a blinkie holder and lots of pockets for organizing all that stuff.

DudeLove

I wear a Chrome Metropolis for my 12 mile round trip commute. I stuff into it full change of clothes and shoes, since I wear spd cleats while riding. Even with all that stuff, the bag is only 1/3 full. It's great in case I need to carry extra stuff.

Messenger bags are great if you hop on and off your bike a lot, and dont want unload the panniers.

The strap is wide and comfy, although it'll make you sweat a lot during the hot months.

Tapeworm21

I've had a Jandd backpack since 7th grade. I'm now 24 (12 years or so). Not ONE STITCH out of place, no rips, nothing. Almost every buckle is broken but that's cheap plastic that costs .10 cents to fix. Greatest bag ever. My dad's Jandd backpack is the exact same way.... same era, nothing wrong. Those chrome bags are pretty nice as well though.

Cyclist0383

+1 on the deuter. I have a 25l Trans Alpine and it is perfect for cycling.

CrosseyedCrickt

I agree

for almost a year I rode wearing not only regular clothing, but my work uniform at that, steel toed boots and all, and I pedaled 20 or so miles round trip
2-6 in street clothing would be very easy for him, try it OP

cccorlew

Wow. I spent the day in day in the SF East Bay shopping for a new bike backpack. I'm using an old Jansport that I like the insides and compartments, but need a rainproof pack now.
REI had a Navaro for $70 that I liked a lot, but was too cheap to buy. It has a rain fly that would help me. I may still get it. My wife -- a rider too -- bought a nice one at the NorthFace outlet in Berkeley, but no rainfly, so I passed. Preformance has one, but it seemed plastic-ish. I'm following thi sthread with great interest.

o-dog

LL Bean Super Deluxe is the one I use and it's great

or if you're used to Camelbaks, the Camelbak HAWG is a good one for hauling a lot of stuff.

mister

I have a Timbuk2 bag. I generally only carry a towel, shirt, pump, spare tube, wallet, and keys in my bag. However, I can fit a pair of jeans, and a pair of size 14 shoes in addition to everything else. It's big enough for just about everything I need, but it's not cumbersome while riding. I love it.

GRedner

You stole my reply! (almost)

I still use an Eddie Bauer backpack I've had since ~6th grade, and I'm now 23. I've had the zippers serviced a couple of times (at a local family-owned shop - "The Zipper Hospital"), but that's it. The bag is in great shape, and I intend to keep using it for as long as possible.

It's also just big enough to fit all the stuff I need for my ride plus a day at work. One full change of clothes, bike repair stuff, U-lock, wallet, keys, rain gear (If necessary), odds and ends. If I need to carry significantly more stuff (like a bath towel) I sometimes have to think ahead and split the cargo across two days, but that rarely happens. I also keep a full change of clothes cached at work, so if I ever get into a jam and either forget my clothes or don't have room for them, I'll still have something to change into.

n4zou

1/2" PVC plumbing pipe fabricated to fit a backpack purchased in a thrift store. Velcro magic ties hold the frame to the rack. Total cost less than $10.

ax0n

Kensington Contour
Backpack
Not really. I loosely roll my pants (dress slacks) and shirts (usually full-button-up dress shirts) and stash them vertically in the compartment with my laptop. They end up being a rolled oval in the bag and don't get wrinkled easily, but that might be due to the material they're made of. YMMV.
This works for me. I needed a backpack meant for a laptop, but it had to be comfortable on my bike. This fit the bill perfectly. It was a little pricey but nothing like a Chrome bag. In the bag w/ me:
* Dress slacks
* Dress shirt
* 13" MacBook
* 3.5" External USB 200GB hard drive
* Power cords
* Headphones
* Digital camera
* Hard copies of things I'm working on (mostly nerdy network and server projects)
* Comb, deoderant, extra pair of socks

I keep all my tools and whatnot on the bike, so I just use the backpack for day-to-day stuff.

cccorlew

Just saw a Cannondale Backpack at Nashbar $39.99 marked down from 100.00
Look sgood. I may get that instead of the Novara...

CliftonGK1

GoLite Race ultralight backpack, and I use a sil-nylon drybag liner to keep all my work stuff from getting soaked when it's raining.

rule

Pearl Izumi Velocipak...comes with a laptop section and sleeve; has plenty of internal and external compartments, one of which includes a pull over rain cover; and it has several loops for hanging blinkie lights.

ViperZ

I have used many packs over the years, however 2 that I have been using of late is a 2006 North Face Skareb 40. It's large enough to hold my lunch, business casuals, and all the other normal stuff as wallet, keys, change, Ipod, tools, pump, patch kit, note book, extra clothes...etc.






For lighter travel I use a 2004 North Face Recon Flash. It's the perfect size for touring around the city on days I'm not working, yet carries enough stuff if required, plus it has an added bonus of a built in tail light I like the shovit pocket, even though it was designed fora helmet, I find my helmets don't fit in it, but they hold my U-Lock and a jacket nicely.



I actually just won another TNF Recon backpack at my local outdoor stores new location, (20year) Grand Opening. It was a wear your most vintage outdoor gear purchased from the store. I wore an old Patagonia jacket The pack is in a cool 2007 moss color.

I would like to try a bike messenger style bag one day. I have found the best way to keep your clothes wrinkle free is to roll them up. I don't normally carry shoes as I leave a few pairs at work, however there are days I'll carry a particular pair that I fell like wearing.

phred000

If you're looking for a laptop-specific backpack, I've been pretty happy with the Wegner Maxxum from Swissgear (https://www.amazon.com/MAXXUM-SwissGe...&s=electronics). It fits (although just barely) my 15.4" widescreen behemoth in a dedicated compartment, plus work clothes, lunch, and some room in case I need to take extra [shampoo, shoes, whatever].

I've customized mine by slathering a bunch of reflective tape on the hard plastic bits on the back and sides, and sewing some into the straps. I've got a 5-mile commute each way, and it's been pretty comfy.

Psydotek

I have a Camelbak HAWG for now, it bearly fits what i need. I'll be picking up a messenger bag from Bagaboo sometime next month though to make it easier to carry everything (and be able to access certain things).