LeftinFlint

I have a short commute and have been using a medium Timbuk2 messenger bag (19x11x8) as my work briefcase. I've decided I'm tired of carrying it on my back, and would like to get a pannier to hold it.

I've looked at some panniers, like Ortlieb's Office Bag Large Plus, but I can't tell if they are big enough. Most panniers look like their are taller than wide, to avoid heel strike I assume. I can't lay my bag on it's side because the contents will shift or fall out. I've not seen any of the grocery panniers in person, which look like they might be big enough, but I'm not sure they will offer my bag enough protection in winter or rain.

I'd like the Ortileb bag by itself as a briefcase, but I think it will get too sloppy in winter to carry around work.

Any suggestions or experience with this would be great. I bet a lot of you out there have already solved this problem. Thanks.

MNBikeguy

If you look at the pictures in the link you provided, you see the Ortlieb office bag mounts at an angle to avoid heel strike. It is plenty big as a briefcase, or to perhaps hold another smaller portfolio case inside. I use mine all winter. Accumulates no more winter sloppiness than the cagers walking their briefcases into the office from their parking lot.

Easy Peasy

I believe the Ortlieb website will have dimensions for their bags.

LeftinFlint

Yea, the bag would probably fit and that is one of my considerations. I just wanted to see what others do to check my options.

MNBikeguy: it's good to know there isn't much slop. That was one of my concerns.

rsacilotto

I bought a Topeak Office bag along with their modular MTX rack, it has been working really well. It comes with a rain cover that kept everything dry in a very heavy downpour. Holds my laptop, notebook, etc...

LeftinFlint

rsacilloto:That's helpfulful, thanks. Does the bag have spots for things like business cards and pens, or is is primarily a laptop case?

sauerwald

I commute with an Arkel Briefcase which is big enough to accomodate my papers as well as a fairly big laptop computer - it has a special sleeve that suspends the computer within the bag, and the rack attachment points are hidden behind a velcro flap when it is off the bike. I have no issues with heel strike, but then I have relatively long chainstays....

LeftinFlint

sauerwald: That's a sweet looking bag, though I seldom have to carry a laptop. I see you're in a warmer, dryer neck of the woods. Have you had to ride with it through bad weather?

SouthFLpix

I recommend the Ortlieb Downtown Commuter with QL3 mounting system. What I like about the QL3 mounting system is that the mounting hardware actually stays on your bike rack, while you just pull away the case, and that way you don't have the hooks to dig into you while you carry it. QL3 is also very adjustable and you can even tilt it forward for additional heel clearance if you need it. Of course like pretty much all Ortlieb products the Downtown Commuter is completely waterproof and does not require a rain cover.

Video link explaining QL3 mounting system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-whf3DMpV5A

irclean

I second the motion for Arkel bags. I use a Commuter and it's a great pannier. If all your stuff will fit in a messenger bag, Arkel offers their own version, The Messenger Briefcase. One particularly nice feature is that the hook system can be angled for extra heel clearance on bikes with short stays. All Arkel bags are made with Cordura nylon, which is quite water resistant, and there's an available rain cover in case you get caught in a real deluge.

Rockfish

The original post asked about way to hold his messenger bag IN a pannier, but the discussion seems to have drifted toward panniers that ARE briefcases. In that...er...case... I think the Arkel and Ortlieb bags are great. I'd also suggest the Rixen Kaul Office pannier - it looks most like a "normal" briefcase when off the bike: https://www.velofred.com/product_info...roducts_id=285
Philosophy bags also has a very nice looking briefcase pannier that uses KlickFix hardware, and is made my nice people right here in the USA: https://www.philosophybags.com/bags/p...and-black.html

LeftinFlint

Yes. The reason I was interested for a bag to hold my bag when we get really sloppy weather. I don't want to carry a dirty, salty, wet bag around work. But others have said it isn't too big a problem. I do have full fenders to keep the slop down.

I really appreciate all the suggestions.

tar wheels

I've been shopping around for a pannier that can double as a briefcase/messenger bag, so this has thread been really helpful.

rsacilotto

The Topeak bag has pockets and dividers like a standard briefcase, but sometimes small stuff slides out when the bag is horizontal. There are a couple of covered pockets to keep some things secure.

sauerwald

Left, I moved here from Maine where we had weather (there is no weather in CA), For rain and snow, there is a waterproof cover that you can put over the bag, which does a pretty good job of protecting it. My commute in Maine in the winter time was over an hour, and in cold temperatures the screen on the laptop would freeze, and you have to wait a while before it would work again.....

LeftinFlint

saurwald: sorry for the slow response. I'm glad there is a cover and the Arkel bag looks great. I don't carry a laptop, so that won't be a problem. Over an hour in the Maine winter -- now that is a serious winter commute. I bet there is a day or two on that ride when you miss a San Jose "winter." I'm originally from the southern part of CA, and though I'm really happy here in Flint, there have been a couple of moments I wished I were in a so. cal. winter.