Hi all,

I just bought a 56cm cross check, and put a Tubus rack on it. Now I'm figuring out the pannier to go on the rack.

Primarily, this is for light commuting. I live in Los Angeles and work in games, so I don't have to worry about carrying clothing (barely any rain, and a polo shirt is about as dressy as the office gets). Generally, I'd be carrying my lunch (usually a small Tupperware container), a 15 inch laptop (not the power cord, though), bike lock, and cell phone / wallet etc... Sometimes I guess I'd need a change of shoes or a spare t-shirt.

I've been thinking about the Ortlieb Downtown Bag, the Vaude Wright Tarp, and the Vaude Canvas Tarp. Anybody have experience with those bags, particularly on the Cross Check? I want to watch out for heel strike, and to make sure the bags have space for what I need.

If you have a backpack stuff everything in there and bungee it to the rack. Since you are not carrying much then look for something that will at least carry your laptop.

Well, I would buy the new version of the Ortlieb Downtown or Office-Bag with the QL3 mounting system. With that you avoid the mounting system snagging your clothes without having weird and cumbersome flap systems on the pannier.



https://road.cc/content/news/22115-or...-urban-luggage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCY__XlX-zk

Don't worry about heel strike; you can cant the pannier so it isn't a issue, even if you got large feet.

--
Regards

I run a CX Check w/Ortlieb backrollers and never had heel strike issues. I have size 46 feet.

These look great on my pacer - no heel strike issues with the Axiom Streamliner Road rack. I think the cross check has similar geometry.

Depends on what look you are going for

https://shop.linusbike.com/products/t...ffice-bike-bag

+1 on Ortlieb,
their mounting system can be adjusted, to shift the bag rearward on the rack,
and create that foot clearance.. for ortlieb racks I like the Earlier hooks for qL1 .
without the removable insert, as it fits the 10mm tube fine,
the newer one has a removable insert for 8 and 11mm tube, 14 with the insert gone.
solid aluminum rod racks would use the smaller size.
ql2 is toolless in adjusting the top hooks in the track ql1 you need an allen wrench.

Hey, availpunk, gonna reopen this thread to ask about your set up. I'm looking to get a Crosscheck, and am slowly getting components. I got the Ortlieb classic rear rollers on sale (can return them if necessary), but am worried about heel clearance (won't know until bike is set up). What type of rack do you use? I have size 44 feet, would be getting a 62cm frame, and I'm all leg. Do you have your rack or panniers set up in anyway special? Thanks!

some Ortlieb bags are rectangular , but the mounting system is at an angle,
so the bag sits on the frame at a heel clearing angle.

you can always alter the rack fittings so it sits higher and further back..

OR just put the panniers on a rack on the front fork ..
that is how I setup my Bike Friday, a front rack only.

I have 2 Ortlieb Downtown with ql3 and they rock.

I would prefer to have to just have a back rack, but yes, I may consider adding a front rack. I think the Ortlieb Classic does not have the ability to sit at an angle, while the Plus' do. I'd like to hear from availpunk about his set up. As I got the Ortlieb's from REI, I can return them whenever, so I may just hold on to them until the bike gets in, and then try the set up out. Thanks guys! Any other advice would be great.

I am a huge fan of the Arkel commuter bag. It has a laptop holder, an easily removable strap to tote it around the office, two small zippered outside pockets for keys, cards, wallets etc, and a mesh side pocket that holds a u-lock perfectly.

And they have a 15 percent off deal right now with this code COMMUTER05282012, and free shipping to the U.S. and Canada.

I like the Timbuk2 pannier/messanger bag. Can use it either way - on bike or on your back (its easy to carry if you are doing a lot of both biking and walking).

https://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/...nier-messenger

It is a lighter duty bag than the others above. The attachment system isn't the most robust, and it is on the small side for a messanger bag. Still, it sounds to me to be a better fit for the specific tasks you listed above (lunch, laptop, and a few other things).

"I may consider adding a front rack."

I wouldn't bother with a front rack. My 54 cm is great for light touring, but scary going downhill with a load on the front and rear. It's just not designed for a front load. (Notice the short head tube.) I took the front rack off and use my front bags on the back for commuting and the rear bags for light touring.

Another vote for the Ortleib Downtown or similar as long as it has the newer QL3 fixings. When you easily lift off your bag everyday you will thank yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-whf3DMpV5A

I have the Ortlieb Vario with QL3 system. One thing I like about it more than other panniers is that it converts to a backpack very quickly so you can throw it on your back when you're done with your ride. Plus, the backpack is essentially a waterproof wetbag with a backpack harness that stands the pack off your back a little bit and allows for airflow. Overall, it's the nicest pannier I've ever found plus it doubles as a fantastic backpack.

It should also be noted that I wear a size 15 shoe (or size 50) and the Ortlieb can easily be put further back on the rack so I never have heel strike problems.

+1 on the Arkel Commuter! Excellent bag that I've used for about five years now. If I needed another laptop specific pannier for around town today, I'd buy the same bag.