front bag/basket for laptop?
06-05-10 | 07:30 PM
#1
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho
front bag/basket for laptop?
have been loving my road bike and wanting to ride it to work, but it doesn't have braze-ons and I hate hate hate wearing a backpack in the summer. my commute is 13 miles one way so I don't want to have a messenger bag dangling for that long.
I have space for a large front bag or basket, just need something big enough to hold my 14" laptop (13.3x9.5x0.8). so far the only thing I've seen that's big enough is the Topeak FrontBag.
I love my other Topeak products (rack, rear basket, DXP trunk bag, mini pump) and am inclined to go that direction - already have a cargo net from the rear rack - but am wondering whether there is anything else out there i should consider. remember it has to be BIG
I have space for a large front bag or basket, just need something big enough to hold my 14" laptop (13.3x9.5x0.8). so far the only thing I've seen that's big enough is the Topeak FrontBag.
I love my other Topeak products (rack, rear basket, DXP trunk bag, mini pump) and am inclined to go that direction - already have a cargo net from the rear rack - but am wondering whether there is anything else out there i should consider. remember it has to be BIG
06-08-10 | 06:45 AM
#2
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From: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho
crickets...bummer
did the ride with my backpack yesterday. it wasn't as bad as I thought, but it wasn't particularly hot outside either
the road bike is sooooo much more comfortable on the messed-up Boston streets, would love to use it as a commuter until it starts raining/snowing.
did the ride with my backpack yesterday. it wasn't as bad as I thought, but it wasn't particularly hot outside either
the road bike is sooooo much more comfortable on the messed-up Boston streets, would love to use it as a commuter until it starts raining/snowing.
06-08-10 | 08:42 AM
#3
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
That Topeak basket may be large enough, but it's not supported by anything more than the h'bar bracket. A laptop's weight and a good bounce over a pothole, and that sucker is as good as gone.
I'd check out Wald's line of stuff. I have a Wald 157GB on my utility bike. I can fit 3 full bags of groceries in there. At the most, I had 6 x 1gal containers of stuff from the auto-parts store, plus some other bits and parts to work on my Jeep.
I'd check out Wald's line of stuff. I have a Wald 157GB on my utility bike. I can fit 3 full bags of groceries in there. At the most, I had 6 x 1gal containers of stuff from the auto-parts store, plus some other bits and parts to work on my Jeep.
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"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
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"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
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06-08-10 | 09:52 AM
#4
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho
That Topeak basket may be large enough, but it's not supported by anything more than the h'bar bracket. A laptop's weight and a good bounce over a pothole, and that sucker is as good as gone.
I'd check out Wald's line of stuff. I have a Wald 157GB on my utility bike. I can fit 3 full bags of groceries in there. At the most, I had 6 x 1gal containers of stuff from the auto-parts store, plus some other bits and parts to work on my Jeep.
I'd check out Wald's line of stuff. I have a Wald 157GB on my utility bike. I can fit 3 full bags of groceries in there. At the most, I had 6 x 1gal containers of stuff from the auto-parts store, plus some other bits and parts to work on my Jeep.
that said, I went to an LBS and they said its depth will get in the way of shifter cables. so I'm back to the drawing board...will check whether Wald has a "narrow" basket
06-08-10 | 10:05 AM
#5
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From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
good point, it's unsupported and will sag. I'll throw a cargo net over it though, so I'm not worried about stuff bouncing out.
that said, I went to an LBS and they said its depth will get in the way of shifter cables. so I'm back to the drawing board...will check whether Wald has a "narrow" basket
that said, I went to an LBS and they said its depth will get in the way of shifter cables. so I'm back to the drawing board...will check whether Wald has a "narrow" basket
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
06-08-10 | 10:19 AM
#7
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
1) Is your stem carbon fiber? Not sure if it will take the load.
2) Is there enough space and clearance from the bottom of the basket to the top of your front wheel. Most road bike has a low drop bar and shallow stem angle.
06-08-10 | 10:33 AM
#8
I got this-- works well, has supports https://www.rei.com/product/777362
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"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
06-09-10 | 07:57 AM
#11
Giftless Amateur
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,335
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From: MD / metro DC
Bikes: Cross-Check/Nexus commuter. Several others for various forms of play.
Though braze-ons are nice, there are plenty of little hack do-dads that allow you to mount a rear rack (or front rack) on a bike without them. None are particularly easy on/off, not sure if that's an issue. If it is, consider a seatpost mounted rig. Topeak has some with handy little trunk bags w/ drop down panniers that might fit your laptop in a sleeve.
