Spudd: You show your own commuting bias: What about those of us who cycle to rapid transit for the balance of our commute? At least for now, carry-ability is primary for me (which is why I ride with a backpack, not panniers).

For OP: I concur with some of the others -- try cycling as a commuter option for a week, and see what you learn about your own needs, preferences and wants. I'd argue that for almost all products, function is paramount, but people will accept some amazing compromises in the name of fashion. This is probably more true in the student and 'recreation' markets than in the daily commuting market. Perhaps a nice 'trunk' option (optimized for bicycling) to replace the milk crate/ wire basket?
As to the rest, I agree fundamentally with the lists from Chaadster, plus high visibility/ reflectivity. I tend to favor 'expandability' so that it can be as small as possible when you aren't carrying much, but allows larger loads when necessary.

I assure you that this is not my only place for research. I am in the stores and trying things out. The Bicycle times, issue 007 has some great product reviews on panniers, plus some articles on a touring bike, commuter bike, a nifty front rack, and rear trailer. I'm talking with bike mechanics, users, and am even consulting with a back pack designer up in Boulder, this weekend.

I am talking to as many people that I can. You may have an insight that I may not. People post here from around the world. Weather, road, and traffic condition varry from region to region. My experience is limited to mountain biking and road commuting in AZ, and CO. I've done the car free thing, and have had to carry everything home on my bike. While I have experience, I recognize that you all are also very experienced and passionate about your bikes. You may have an insight, or experience that I have not.

Thank you all for the amazing feedback. The bike community is an awesome one! Ride on!

Oh, and to the 80 year old still biking. You are an inspiration! Thank you

Helen

Oh, can everyone list the things they commute to work with? Please list everything as thoroughly as possible, right down to the empty gum wrappers!

The Ortlieb Office Bag does everything I want. Completely waterproof, amazing latching system, it's fine for carrying and I like how it looks -- I can ride to work in a suit, grab the bag off my bike and blend, pod-person-like, into the white-collar masses. I like that it's free-standing, too.

What I would change: Add a single external pocket so I don't have to unroll the top to get at my wallet (though this would not be totally waterproof and might not look as nice), and I'd like slightly better internal pocket systems. Velcro flaps over the baggy inside pockets would be perfect.

Today's load:
Laptop and power adapter, pens, business cards, voice recorder and cables, notepad, wallet, multitool, magazines, suit jacket and tie (too hot to wear -- and they weren't wrinkled when I got in, which was nice). On days when rain is forecast I also bring in rain pants and shoe covers in a plastic bag -- and a pink shower cap with a duck and the words "I love my bath" to cover my saddle.

I keep meaning to add a mini pump and spare tube, which would easily fit in there.

generally speaking, the following things come with me on a commute to work:

M-Wave Double Day-tripper panniers
Pants
button down shirt
pump that the frame mount broke for
half dozen mini-bungees
bungee net
U-Lock
Pair of cable locks, keyed alike
34 cents
smarties wrapper
some stuff for lunch
Seat bag
small first aid kit
multi-tool
62 cents
one of those little discs that expands into a towel
Attached to bike
Bell computer from Target
Ascent "commuter light set" from Performance
pair of bottle cages, sometimes with bottles in them
rack to hold daytrippers
Pockets
wallet
cell phone
lighter
cash (when I'm lucky enough to have some)
keys clipped to belt loop

Sometimes:
15" laptop in sleeve
12can cooler full of food
week's worth of clothes
son's baseball glove
son's current book
son's cell phone
"other"

Bingo... my major complaint with "perfect bags."

Ortlieb also makes an external add on pocket, on a regular pannier they usually fit on the end edge.

the 'put in' pocket has a Zipper pouch and a document pocket against the stiffener panel..

As a design project for school?

Generally multipurpose or universal stuff doesn't do anything particularly well. Why not throw in a "wildcard" feature of your own choosing to stand out in the crowd.

Examples:
hammock
tent
potted/vased flower carrier
etc.

The challenge is to think the execution through, not necessarily re-invent the obvious.

...another thought, pick a unique material as the spotlight, how about incorporate a white-board for impromptu think-tank sessions?

these are all silly of course, but process and workflow are skills in themselves and worthy of mastering.

Thanks again, everyone, for taking the time to answer my questions!

I'm stunned at the patience of the audience in again answering another one of these inquiries. Some good inputs.

OP, have you searched the forums and gleaned any of the information from the last 17 design inquiries to shape the next uber bag, bike, mousetrap?

I agree with duckforcover -- doing everything usually results in doing everything poorly and is a tepid middle ground. You ought to consider doing something well. There's a huge gulf between soliciting everyone's dream sheet and making the tough design tradeoffs to serve a wide set of functions adequately but ultimately none particularly well. Consider knocking it out of the park for a more specific demographic.

"It's a floor wax"
"It's a dessert topping"
"You're both right, it's a floor wax AND a dessert topping!"

In backpack:

headlight, taillight, patch kit, extra tubes, tire levers. sunglasses or clear glasses and reading glasses. Big wallet, extra set of keys, phone charger, pens pencils highlighters, MP3 player (for work/subway) PDA, change of clothes (shirt, undershirt, slacks, underwear, belt, socks -- shoes stay at work), a couple or three books, portfolio sometimes, water bottle hanging off the backpack. I expect to add a laptop to that when I change jobs, but we'll see what else changes. Lunch (6x6x10 insulated lunchbox)

On my person:

helmet, small wallet (business card holder), small pocket knife, pen, keys.

On bike: Lock, water bottle, frame pump (sometimes comes in backback).

What he said in a hi-viz color with lots of reflective material.

Provide us all with free samples when you are finished and we'll give you your final grade. :-)

Jeff

Do you commute by bike yourself?

Adam

Why not go for somethign a little more unique and go for a handle bar bag that will handle a small laptop or net book?
By default as long as it stays between the bars it is far more protected then a pannier.

I'm trying to find a nice low riding bag that would be accessible while riding and I want to make a custom top pouch that would attach in place of a Map pocket that will hold my Iphone and portable speaker allowing me to operate one handed and use the GPS feature.
This is my favorite style so far:
https://www.velo-orange.com/oshabag.html
Like to see some side pouches for small items.
They ride on racks of this style:
https://www.velo-orange.com/voststpahura.html that allow mounting for lights.

QUOTE=slcbob;11439930]I'm stunned at the patience of the audience in again answering another one of these inquiries. Some good inputs.

I'm thinking that's because no one has yet found the "perfect" system for their personal application. I know my pannier is a compromise.

Chaadster had a good list.
I would also like to see some adjustability in mounts. I run the same pannier on numerous bikes and rack types and have had to make modifications to allow this.

Normal things I carry daily
Big wad of keys
big old Cell phone in big case
All my pocket stuff, change knife, lighter etc.
checkbook
newspaper - yeah, I'm a Luddite who still reads print!
The underwear, tee shirt, socks for the day
maybe some food.
rain pants usually stay in the pannier, jacket brought as needed

Things that change day to day
Jeans for the week - usually once a week
Food as needed to stock up my drawer this time of year maybe a couple of ears of corn too
Fridays jeans and sometimes other stuff have to come home

Needs also change season to season.
Spring fall It can go from 40F to 80 over the day
I need to carry clothes I wore in, back home again
Cooler times also require more daily clothes - Tee shirt becomes long sleeve, flannel and sweaters get added


Then there are errand stops on the way home which can add stuff
Not to mention unplanned pickups. - examples are finding a ½" Milwaukee drill in the road
Last week I stopped and filled what ever room I had left with walnuts/acorns that are currently falling
(Johnny appleseed thing - prepping for the inevitable "Emerald ash borer" in my woods)

It's noy unusual for my pannier to weight 10-12#

nope, not everyone wants gaudy stuff

Illuminite treated fabric glows when struck with light, but is just a little sparkled when in daylight .