Panniers for my commuter?
 

I've been riding in to work once or twice a week now. I'm using a Trek 8000 mtb from about 15 years ago that I've outfitted with slicks, and I'm getting much faster as a rider. (I'm a long time roadie, so switching to an mtb really slowed me down right at the start of the season when I was out of shape.)

I've been using a backpack strapped on to a Blackburn rack that's been on the bike since it was new. The rack itself was part of the Blackburn child carrier. I carry a laptop and some clothes and all the usual crap that I need, cell phone, keys, wallet, ID, etc... One thing I don't carry is a lock, I leave that on the rack by the office. The backpack works OK, but I was thinking about maybe an easier system to use, and one that would be OK for carrying around the office. My thought was also leaning towards a commuter specific type, maybe with a special laptop case??? Is there anything like this? I'd also like to sling it over a shoulder like a messenger bag when off the bike.

Any recommendations? I haven't stopped by a shop yet, I was just thinking about this on my way home today. I checked Nashbar, Performance and Colorado Cyclist, but didn't see anything I thought fit this, but I'm sure this is made. If not, I'll start making them for the NYC market!

I got a set of Wald folding baskets for my rear rack. I carry a backpack too and dont want to have to worry about toting a pannier plus I can take my small grocery trips home easily...plus there inexpensive!

Vaude Wright :)

I have the Arkel Commuter:

http://www.hiawathacyclery.com/cart/...uter_front.gif

It's got everything that you've listed. Arkel's Urban line has many similar bags that may be even better suited to your particular needs.

If I have one thing negative to say in regards to my experience with this pannier it's that Arkel's products are expensive. That being said, in this case you really do get what you pay for. I've been using the bag for almost 3 years now, including 2 SW Ontario winter commuting seasons, and the bag has held up beautifully. All of the zippers still work like new and there are no tears nor any appreciable signs of wear. I got the optional rain cover and it's well worth the extra $20, especially when riding in the slop.

+1 with irclean: you get what you pay for ("expensive" is normally worth it). if you're carrying a laptop, you'd better make sure the bag is element proof. Arkels are nice. Also check out Ortlieb:
http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodList.asp?scat=7

I schlep my laptop in all conditions in a padded sleeve in my Ortleibs (the padded sleeve is form my old Arkel bag; this year i commuted in endless downpours, and the year before it was ice, sleet, and the usual NE muck). The Ortlieb latch system is the best i've used on a pannier, and the bag is waterproof (no need for a rain cover).

Wow, I am also looking for a pannier for commuting and never looked into these. They look awesome.

I like the look of the Arkel, but I have a couple questions before I buy it, maybe you can answer. I like to errands on the way to work, so I want panniers that can store clothes and help with shopping, like a six pack of beer, a little fruit, drug store items, etc.

So does the Arkel have a place I can put my U-shaped citadel lock? It's about ten inches long. I don't want to dig into the main compartment every time I make a stop. Also, can I fit other things in there, is it good for picking up a few things at the store? Finally, is the idea that you just get one of these panniers? If so, maybe I buy one of these for clothes, computer, etc., and find another pannier that's more for errands and take them both with me? If so, any suggestions of a pannier for this purpose?

The Commuter has pockets on both sides and on the flap, but none are big enough to hold a big u-lock; you'd have to store that in the main compartment. Arkel has many other bags that might serve your needs better. Other options include using a folding basket on the opposite side of the pannier for those grocery/beer runs. This is how I transport my u-lock:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/...9437d68b7b.jpg

I drop the "u" through the rack on the opposite side of the pannier and it's weight keeps it in place. It does rattle around a bit but a bungee cord would steady it if need be. A folding basket would conceivably still work in this configuration. I have one, but it's on another bike.

I was looking today at a bag made by Knog, an Australian company. It had a laptop pocket, a detachable rack mount, and a fully functional set of straps for use as a messenger bag. Has anybody seen or used these. The big problem was the price - $139. Not cheap. I'll have to take a better look at it as my phone rang while I was checking it out and I didn't get to look as closely as I wanted. It was my twin daughters waiting in the car being impatient. I'll have to ride over on my commuter and see how it fits. I was also looking at the Ortlieb bags at the same store and I'm pretty convinced they aren't what I want even if they are considered top quality. PBK carries Ortlieb and has a really good price that the local store couldn't beat, and even at that price I don't think they fit the bill. Pockets are essential, and the space wouldn't keep my clothes in place.

I haven't seen the Arkel bag yet but I do know what local store carries them. I'll have to check that one out as it seems to fit as well.

I can't speak of the specific Knog model (as you didn't specify), but as to the overall quality in general, I can. I have one of there sling bags and the Valore twin saddlebag panniers. Both are holding just fine.

All the tags were off the bag I was looking at, so I didn't know what model. And I've gathered they all have names with "dog" in them, so even that little tidbit wouldn't have helped. I'll check it out today sometime.

My Ortlieb set up works well and Trek makes some that are pretty good.

Sounds like you were looking at the knog dry dog. They come in two sizes and I have been using the smaller of the two for about two months. I give it a thumbs up for construction and general usefulness. My commute is a bike - train - walk, with the bike leg at about 9 miles. I wanted the messenger bag type set up for the train and walking legs and I have no complaints. I don't carry a laptop and the smaller bag will only carry a rather small one. If you're going to carry a laptop, go to their website and make sure you get the right size for yours.

I use the small to carry: a book, spare tube, pump, 15mm wrench, multi tool, lunch, helmet, and rain jacket. I could still fit more stuff in there if necessary.

They really seemed to be well made. My only concern is the attachment system. I didn't really get a good look at how it would go on the rack as I was being rushed by impatient teenagers. Their website is useless, as are any others I've found that have them. I'm looking to carry a lot of loose stuff, like wallet, cell phone, iPod (not used on the bike), ID, glasses, all that crap, plus a shirt and pants and maybe shoes and always the laptop. I try now to keep it as light as possible, I have a laptop charger in the office and at home, keep shoes at work so I don't always have to take them. Most of all I keep the lock on the rack by the office. There's no sense in carrying that 10 pound weight around. When I need a lock at home I have another one but that is rare.

I looked again at the Ortliebs today, various types and sizes. They may be well made but I think they are very impractical as there just aren't any pockets. The guy at the shop understood what I was looking for but he said he hadn't seen any.

Arkel is one of those brands like Thomson or Nitto or Tubus. You don't have to make yourself an expert, just buy the one they recommend and pedal away content that you never have to think about your stem/seatpost/rack/pannier/handlebar ever again.

None are cheap, but for your money you do get something.

Is that right? I've always wondered how long you could get out of ... say... an Arkel Bug compared to the DIY panniers I create. They seem to have much better zippers, but zippers are always a weak point no matter how good.

I get about 1 1/2 years out of a pannier.

Can anyone say how long top-of-the-line pannier last in year-round commuting?

I can.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/...8a6d90885e.jpg

The short answer is; great. The zippers still work like new, and besides a few salt stains on the bottom of the bag, it still looks like new too. I use the optional $20 rain cover for sloppy days and it still looks and works like new as well.

I have an Interchange rack. it's not my favorite rack, but some of the trunks are neat. My commuting "panier" is actually an Interchange trunk that has two compartments on the sides that unzip and fold out into paniers. The trunk holds all my tools/tubes/wallet etc, and when I need a bit more room food or close, I unfold the sides and viola.

I'm not saying it's the best, but it definitely works for me.

You should check out the Ortlieb Office Bag. I have one and love it. I use it on an 8 mile daily commute to carry an IBM Think Pad in a laptop sleeve, a change of clothes in a packing cube, my Canari rain jacket, and a bunch of misc stuff like wallet, cell phone, keys, extra sunglasses, and sometimes a bike lock or lunch.

It looks nice, it's waterproof, and adapts to a variety of rack configurations. I take it with me into my office, and I find it easy to tote around. However, I don't use the shoulder strap, so I can't comment on how it works as a quasi messenger bag.

Also, it sits at an angle when attached to the rack so it's out of the way from your heal while you pedal. In fact, I don't even know it's there when riding, and that to me is the ultimate test of a commuter pannier. I'll try to post some pictures of it later.....

So... how long? I know they are great, but when do they wear out?

Almost 3 years of use so far, with 2 winter's worth of commuting.

I'll be sure and post when (if?) they do. :D

I have a trek trunk rack that is good all-weather and water proof. But other than that, I made myself some very ghetto panniers so that they wouldn't be stolen on campus or when parked downtown.

http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/panniers.jpg

zacster, here's a couple pics of my Ortlieb office bag. I left my laptop at work for the holiday weekend, so I can't show you how it fits in the bag inside it's sleeve, and how much extra room there is for other stuff. But I lug that Think Pad back and forth every day, plus whatever else I need. So far I haven't had the urge to get a second bag for the other side.

I decided today to go with the Knog Pig Dog 15.5" bag. It is basically a messenger bag with a rack attachment rather than a pannier that has a strap to carry it. I figure that I'm only really commuting 2 days a week at most and the rest of the time I'm taking the subway. That plus I need to use my bag during the day at the office. It made more sense than a pannier. They're sized for Mac Books, but I carry a dorky Lenovo. Price was right too. If I find it too small, which I doubt, I'll supplement it with another bag, maybe the Dry Dog, which is more of a pannier.