Hey, can you use the Ortleib panniers with the pod attached? I was looking at something similar but I couldn't tell, and didn't have my bike handy to test fit things. It looked to me like I would have to rig up something to raise the pod up, to give room for the Ortleib hooks. Does that make any sense?

Counting just the things I use on the bike.... I've got a backpack, a messenger bag, a pannier, a frame bag, a trunk bag and three seat bags. I also have a pair of panniers that I haven't used in three years.

I might have another fetish...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...rest21side.JPG
MEC PF43 panniers with Blackburn handlebar bag.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...rest09new4.JPG
MEC PF21 panniers with MEC handlebar bag

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/uavatv7.JPG
New MEC World Tour 56 litre panniers.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...leigh2010a.JPG
Vintage saddle bags (Dutch) and Norco seat bag

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...010touring.JPG
Serfas front bags with my old MEC PF43 panniers that have been going strong for 6 years.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/reg2009a.JPG
1930's school bag converted to bike bag.

If I am travelling light or have no rack I use a MEC rock climbing backpack with a 1.5 litre water reservoir.

Will be using the PF43 and WT56 panniers on tour this summer and almost forgot these...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...e09winter3.JPG
100 litre motorcycle bags with my PF21 bags

And... another bag conversion.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/basil1.JPG
Laptop case converted to pannier.

A pair of Novara (REI) grocery panniers. A pair of Schwinn panniers. Another pannier (only one) of a make I don't remember (it's the newest; there was only one in stock). A Schwinn trunk. A Schwinn handlebar bag of a style no longer made (actually, there are two of these: one on Radagast and one on Orion; it was when I got the Black Pearl that I discovered this model is apparently no longer available). A Topeak handlebar "bag" (more like a case) that's put on the Black Pearl when I ride (it's too heavy to leave on there when I put the bike in the back of the van). A different brand (maybe Jandd? don't recall right now) of trunk that I'm more likely to use.

What I'd really like to do is figure out a way to attach the Topeak handlebar bag to the front rack, and get it off the bar.

I have 3 different bags that I use for commuting, some in combination: a Carradice Barley, Acorn Med-Large seatbag, and a Rivendell front rack bag. The Barley holds the most gear and I use it most often, and the Acorn is perfect for days when I don't need to carry any extra clothes. The Rivendell bag is only used when I have an extra large amount of gear; I don't like the way it affects bike handling, particularly on windy days, so it doesn't get used a lot. I am considering getting a second Carradice bag, the Pendle, which has 50% more volume than the Barley for days when I need to carry more gear.

I have:
A complete set of Arkel Grand Touring Panniers (2x GT18, 2x GT54 and an Tailrider.)
A set of older Trek Shopping Bag Panniers
A Rivendell Saddlesack Small
A Rivendell Saddlesack Medium (New)
A Rivendell Shopsack Large (New)
I also use a Timbuck2 Commuter messenger bag as my briefcase/ day bag. I've never been really happy with this bag other than it works.

Each of these sees duty as commuter gear during the year, depending on load/ errands. I think the GT-54s are a bit overkill for commuting, but having purchased them, I feel I'll never have to purchase another set of luge rear panniers ever again.
I am quite displeased with the on-bike performance of the Trek Shopping bag panniers. The attachment system is poor, I've had them fall off a couple times. I use them more often as tote bags rather than panniers.
The Shopsack fits the role that I wanted these panniers to play better, offers more support, better attachment (in a basket over the front wheel) and more flexibility.
The small Saddlesack is great for a day ride or spring/ fall commute when I'm not carrying a lot of stuff. I'm a "be prepared" kinda guy, so I probably carry more stuff than would be common. Extra windbreakers, a button down shirt, extra socks + food can be easily carried.
I bought the medium Saddlesack to become my go-to commuting bag. Time will tell if it fills that role well or not.

all of my bikes have a small saddle bag for spare tube, levers, CO2 pump, & multitool.

other than that, i only have 1 bag to transport stuff: my REI Venturi 40 airflow backpack. none of my bikes have racks of any kind, so panniers, trunk bags, etc. are not in my inventory.

Started out with a backpack as I explored the idea of commuting. Within a few months I'd gotten a Topeak Explorer rack and a Topeak rack trunk with fold out panniers which serves me well 95% of the time. Occasionally I use my pair of Axiom Lasalles on my front rack in addition to my rack trunk on the rear, or every once in a while use only the Axioms. The Axioms were purchased with touring in mind, but the extra space they afford does come in handy on the commute sometimes.

65 - which thermos are you using? The 24oz Nissan Thermos model I have fits in (with some persuasion/bending) a standard (aka cheap aluminum) bottle carrier; either on the downtube (commuter) or in a behind-the-seat carrier (road bike). 24oz of hot caffinnated joy and it has survived unintentional ejections at speed! I think the dents and scuffs add character.

Oh bags:
REI Novara commuter bag (when using road bike)
Small Jandd on commuter (tools, junk that stays w bike, room for errands), 2nd one is in storage with other unused bike gear.
Axiom Lasalle - use one (more room than I need) for clothes when using commuter bike; purchased several years ago for son to use on a scouts bike trip.
Axiom Champlain - my set from that same scouts trip; way too large for daily use unless I am getting more groceries than I want to carry on the bike!
Performance rack trunk I may start using with a seat post rack on road bike for commuting instead of the REI bag.
Various small, large, and huge saddle bags, small frame triangle bag, no-name handlebar bag from various ideas that didn't work out for me.

2 sets of panniers, 4 under the saddle bags, a handlebar bag, 2 trunk bags, and at least a dozen backpacks of various sizes. The backpacks are generally used for other activities, though, like skiing, hiking, etc...

some of us may need to buy some more bikes to use all these bags we've got.

Three that I actually use for commutes (ordered from most used to least used):

*Ortleib backrollers. Usually only use one unless I'm stopping for groceries.
*RELoad messenger bag. Use it days that I ride the rack-free single speed, I used to use it everyday but with the longer (22mi round trip) commute and associated crap that that brings (more clothes/etc), my back isn't thrilled hauling it everyday.
*Timbuk2 (medium). Useful for quick errands and trips that don't require much carrying capacity. Also the waterproof liner has failed in several spots (it is 10 years old.....) so only good for dry days.

I tried that, but SO thinks we got too many bike, or is it I have too many and she don't. So I took all my extra bags and place the small one into the medium one and then those into the larger one. So far so good as for hiding them from my partner :D Now I can shop for more bags.

I don't even know if it has a makers mark... generic 500ml version that they sell at MEC for around $12.00 which fits a standard cage really well and although it has never been ejected it had been dropped quite a few times and has decent character.

Keeps my tea hot all day although it does not usually last that long.

I also like my MEC frame bag... it is frame specific and comes in several sizes.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...encommute1.JPG

Genius.....pure genius. I think my wife would buy this argument.

I lol'd

thanks for that chip!

Put me down for a Timbuk2 medium messenger bag (which I love, and manufacture excuses to use all the time), an axiom trunk bag, that is a great cooler for my lunches, and 1/2 of an Axiom LaSalle pannier set (i got the orphan half for a song @ the LBS because they couldn't sell it alone) for my clothing.

Everything I need . . . Now, is it all I want - Hell NO!

I have absolutely no reason to justify the purchase, but I'm seriously looking at the Timbuk2 Tandem pannier now, and a folding Wald basket (single) for the off-side on my back rack . . .

Acorn Handlebar Bag
Carradice SQR Slim
Minnehaha Small Saddlebag
Arkel Utility Basket
Nashbar Townie Basket
Schwinn Stem Bag
Topeak Handy E Pack
Trans It 45 Wedge
Nashbar Front Rack Bag
Nashbar Frame Bag
Generic saddlebag

* REI shopping panniers (my favourite)
* small single pannier from MEC
* large single waterproof pannier from MEC (oh, I hate this thing -- cumbersome and the clips for the rack never really clasp shut or if they do, they jam)
* bottomless pit of a LL Bean nylon rucksack (only worn on my bike if I'm carrying light, bulky stuff)
* small Gregory silicone backpack for daylong rides (holds a 2 litre water bladder and hose). I love this one! The waist strap has long mesh pockets that are perfect for holding my wallet, change wallet, cellphone and keys.

I also have a handlebar basket that holds a myriad of stuff on my commutes and fun rides. If I don't need to lug around a pannier (or two), I prefer bringing my stuff in a fabric shopping bag that can sit easily in the basket. Much easier to carry around and still can bring home a few groceries or library books.

I have 2 of the Novara shopping panniers that I got on clearance for $20 plus the box pannier from Nashbar. Needless to say they are on there last legs I thing so I may be getting some new ones soon.

I feel much better seeing this thread!! I thought I was the only one with a Bike bag issue. My bag needs are always a work in progress.

I use bags on one of two bikes each bike has its own handlebar bag

1) carradice nelson Long flap

2) Rivendell Sackville medium

3) Carradice Barley

4) A Fancy leather Motorcycle tool bag I rigged for saddle mount

5) Home built panniers (made from Vulkanized Rubber Nato Musette bags)

6) ortlieb handle bar Bag On siglespeed/fixie

7) VO Campagne handle bar bag (permanently attached to LD /commute rig)..

"John"

When I put a bunch of them together I get this... my bags serve multiple purposes as life is pretty much utilitarian and then sometimes you really want to go places.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...11cascade5.JPG

I recently retired a topeak trunk bag/pannier (worn out due to age), though I'm not throwing it out. In it's place I got a Carradice Nelson Longflap for my commutes.

I also have a small seat bag for tools, but rarely ever use it.

Oh, and then there's the Ortlieb panniers, front and back for touring.

And a back pack.

And a couple of dry stuff sacks to put clothes in before they go in one of the above.

I'm glad you didn't ask how many racks I have.

Let us know if it works.:innocent: