This morning I carried a tube, patch kit, pump, minitool, wallet, keys, and cellphone. They all fit in jersey pockets. (I drive my clothes and lunches for the week on Sunday evening. )

lunch goes in the handlebar bag, medicine and keycards in the zipper compartment on the top flap.
paperwork, spare sundries, repair kit, wallet and phone go in the Carradice saddlebag.

When I need to restock my locker boxed/pressed clothes, towels, etc. go in the Wald basket on my utility cruiser.

On the bike
Frame Pump
Saddlebag:
-Tube
-Tube repair kit
-Tire levers
-Multi tool
-Key for my Pitlocks

In My Bailey Works Super Pro
-undies
-pants
-shirt
-shoes (if I don't want to wear the shoes I ride in)
-hand towel
-deodorant
-bike lock (rattles on the bike mount... annoying)
-sometimes my glasses if I don't want to wear my contacts all day
-book (to read at lunch)
-Nintendo DS (to play at lunch if I don't feel like reading)
-camera + roll or two of film (usually my Leica M6)
-lunch if i'm bringing lunch that day (rare, I usually eat out at work $$$)
-my hat
-wallet
-iphone with headphones
-chap stick cuz my lips get chapped

a few bike tools
spare tubes
briefcase
lunch
socks or shirt

I carry a full change of clothes for work, tools, money, wallet, lunch, Nintendo DS, games for the DS, Gameboy, Ipod and some various snacks for the day. Any clothes I don't need to change into I leave in my locker at work so I don't have to bring them in the next day.

I use the large trunk Topeak bag.

bike tools, bike lights, tube, keys, mini pump, shirt, underwear, socks, bike lock all in a backpack in a milk crate on a rear rack.

Five mile each way commute:

Frame Pump

Spare tube and patch kit and multitool (small wedge under seat)

In Wald folding baskets (use spider web bungee cord to keep things in)
Cable lock
work shoes (I wear spd fo the commute)
Laptop (some times) in it's padded case
Lunch (sometimes)
Kids back pack (sometimes when we commute to school/work toegether)
shorts/shirt (sometimes if I plan on a long ride home)

On way home....groceries/stuff from hardware store/books if I hit the library.

2 panniers; clothes, computer, salad, dumplings, clams

I have keys, wallet, spare set of blinky lights, spare tube, pump, tire levers, multi-tool, reflective straps for when I wear jeans, cell phone, laptop in sleeve, complete change of clothes, reflective vest for late nights, lunch bag, a folder, and about 40 or so pounds of heavy-ass hard bound books and a binder or two. Law school's forcing me to get my money's worth out of my Ortliebs.

If I had the money and need, this would be my perfect design:



I'll leave the debate about disc's vs rim brakes and IGH vs gears to others.

thanks guys for all the feedback, its awesome keep it coming

I'd like a handlebar bag and front headlamp that work well together, rather than interfering or causing difficulty in mounting. The lamp mount should resist theft.

I'd also like a compact tool kit that is lock-mounted to the bike (e.g. under the seat) with a key or combination access, and doesn't swing around. This kit/bag/box could include a locking frame pump mount or include a CO2 inflator. I use locking wheel skewers; their key could be kept in the locking tool bag/box or the same key could open the tool box. Right now I remove my tool bag when I lock the bike outdoors.

In a pannier or trunk bag I carry a fresh shirt, pants, underwear, and sometimes a frozen dinner for lunch if I won't be eating out with my colleagues. I usually put my lock and NiMH battery in the same bag.

Be sure to take some time to search the archives. The needs/wants of an urban commuter with a 4 mile commute and no hills are quite different than those of someone who has a 15 mile commute in the hilly countryside. Likewise, the weather plays a big part. Even occupation makes a difference--what's he/she going to be carrying to work? Oh, and age and fitness. Someone older is generally going to prefer a more upright riding posture. Someone just starting out or in not as prime shape is going to need lower gearing and isn't going to be going as fast. There's just so many tradeoffs.

So I would suggest making a profile. Make up a hypothetical commuter. Fill in as many details as you can, and try to fit the needs of that profile. I would personally suggest not going for the young urban commuter, because honestly everyone wants to do that, it's not as challenging, and it's kinda, well, cliche.

People on this board of course vary widely in their preferences and needs, but it often seems that there is an underserved market for middle distance commuters-say, 10-20 miles or so each way, maybe a bit less. It seems like the preference is for disc brakes for better braking in snow (so it needs disc tabs on frame). Enough space for fenders + studded tires, drop bars, rack and fender braze-ons. Many people seem to like steel as a construction material. If you search around for a bit, you'll probably find some of these threads of people complaining, "why isn't there a bike like...?" Personally, that's what I'd try to do.

But you'll find that for every item, someone here will disagree with something.

1 Undershirt
1 Shirt
1 pair of boxers
2 tire levers
1 patch kit
1 adjustable wrench
1 air pump
wallet
phone
security badge
I-touch
Hand Sanitizer
change
lint
I live 4 miles from home

Commute: 7-mi one-way in suburbia, no shops on the way or close.
Bike: Usually '83 Trek 613, sometimes Swobo Dixon

I'm minimalist and try to travel lite, but still like to be prepared for likely problems. My "standard equipment" consists of the following, which covers both bikes, except that I throw a 26" tube in the messager bag when I ride the Swobo. I don't usually carry a lock unless I plan on going somewhere else (probably less than 10% of the time), but leave one at work. The only bag I carry is a single messenger bag.

on bike:

* 16 oz. water bottle
* Topeak Turbo Morph G frame pump (this is absolutely essential!)
* Brass Incredibell

in zippered pouch inside messenger bag:

* spare tube
* tire boot
* spare U-lock key
* 3/16" allen wrench (for seatpost binder bolt of Trek bike)
* Topeak Toolbar multi-tool (one tire lever is missing)
* backup taillight
* PDW 3wrencho (15 mm wrench for removing Swobo rear wheel, plus tire lever)
* TAD folding Ti spork - just in case, because I hate using disposable plasticware

in small pocket of messenger bag, my "every day carry":

* bandana (used to clean hands and tubes when repairing flats)
* wallet
* phone
* Arc-P flashlight (doubles as backup headlight, though a little under-powered for that)
* keys
* Leatherman Squirt P4 multi-tool
* Chawly Changer pocket coin dispenser (very nice little product)
* I also sometimes put my iPod touch in here (not part of every day carry).

Also in the messenger bag:

* food
* usually t-shirt, socks, and underwear to change into after showering after work, unless I plan on showering after getting home that day

As desired/needed, I carry:

* Can of juice concentrate (which I make in a 1 QT pitcher at work - great space/weight saver!)
* 1.8" portable hard drive w/USB cable
* maybe a magazine
* maybe a CD
* cosmetic and other supplies, incl. tools
* misc. items...

In a tool kit permanently attached to the bike: Multi-tool, spare tube, patch kit, tire levers. Also a tire pump attached to the frame.

In my bag:
Always: Breakfast, lunch. Security card, cell phone, camera, thumb drive. Couple bottles of soda.
Sometimes: clothes to change out with what's in my desk at work. Wallet.

Occasionally: almost anything, if I'm running errands and picking up stuff from stores.

After switching through bikes (i'm on my 4th this year) I found I preferred a road bike with bag capability.
I chose a Trek Portland and absolutely love it.

What I carry... honestly.. whatever I need. Some days, it's just clothes and lunch. Some days it's clothes and extra shoes and lunch, other days it's clothes, something for the potluck at lunch, a catalog or two (or magazine or two), etc.

I've not really had an instance where I couldn't carry whatever I wanted or needed.

My list of "Almost always with me on Commutes":

• Cable Lock (my bike stays inside, so this isn't used much)
• wallet
• card key
• multi-tool for adjustments and such
• wallet
• watch
• pocket knife
• chapstick
• My clothes for the day
• Clothes to wear home (if the weather is drastically different)

[quote=karlbonator;9612363]Hi my names karl and im an industrial design student at university
im designing a commuter bike like many more before me/QUOTE]

"but i need to find out what items people carry to work or study.
whats in your bags? ie computer, books, clothes, food."

- To/from work: Wallet, house keys, cell phone, prescription glasses, all in front handle bar bag

- If round tripping: Clothes required (shoes stay at work as does sweater), lunch, sometimes a drink, allin one medium R pannier

- If leaving car, riding home, riding back in the AM, I will bring in change of clothes and not use panniers for RT.

I don't move the laptop via bike, not wanting to risk it over 2 hrs. It's a work laptop and everything is duplicated on a home laptop and I can transfer files via thumb or e-mail.


"and also if you have any ideas for a commuter bike, what do you want to see in a commuter bike would be gladly taken on board["

Very much distance and route dependent. Someone in NYC riding 10 miles RT from Brooklyn and locking the bike outside needs a different bike then I would, which is 54 miles RT on OK roads with the bike stored in an office. Thus I use a Miyata touring bike with a R rack, heavy duty wheels and tires designed for resistance to glass punctures. I also do not ride in the rain, thus took off the Esge fenders as well as not riding at night as the route is potentially not as safe at night.

Steve B.

I carry:

Change of clothing
Lunch
Spare Tube
Patch kit
multi tool
spoke wrench
cliff bar
cell phone
wallet
cycling jacket
frame pump
water

This is divided between a trunk bag with zip down panniers and a little bag that sits on the top tube behind the handlebar stem. I think you are going to have a tough time designing a one size fits all, good luck on your project

One pannier, clothes and lunch. Other pannier, soft briefcase with workstuff, papers etc.

Oh yeah, sometimes a roll of blueprints sticking out of the clothes-filled pannier. Thank god I do mostly residential......

Seatbag: Puncture kit, a tube, 2 allen wrenches, sun/clear glasses
In pannier: Spare headlight battery, Pants, socks, shirt, Topeak Mtn Morph Pump, cable lock, breakfast and/or lunch.
On frame:Water bottle, Garmin 305, L&M Solo Logic MV and battery, Superflash.
On person: Wallet, phone, keys, iPod, garage door opener, surly demeanor.

Bike (trek 520):

-pump
-saddlebag
-2 ortlieb panniers
-full fenders (soon to have mud flaps)
-rear rack
-custom built rack bracket that holds two Mars 4.0 taillights
- wheel reflectors
- reflector on rear fender
- Nite Rider Mini Newt Dual X2 headlight
- incredibell
- bento box w/ garage door opener inside

Saddlebag:

-Tube
-Patch Kit
-3 Tire Levers
-Multi-purpose tool

Pannier #1:

- Laptop
- Cold weather layers if needed.

Pannier #2:

- Change of clothes (pants, shirt, socks, belt, underwear)
- Shoes (if needed, usually I leave them at work)
- Toiletries (if needed. I keep the shower kit at work. bring in replacements as needed)

In the panniers:
- combination lock for locker @ gym
- dress shoes
- work clothes - dress pants, dress shirt, tie, undershirt, clean underwear, dress socks
- u-lock
- wallet

In the under saddle bag:
- tube
- flat wrench
- multitool
- tire boots
- compressed air / quick flat fixer thing
- tire levers & patch kit
- rag for wiping down bike

Socks - I ride in sandals.

large hunting knife
trash bags
roll of duct tape
ski mask
gum