Help me pick a rear bag for commuting
 

Figured I would turn to the experts here instead of randomly buying something that I probably would hate or wouldn't work. I just bought a masi special CX for my commuter and love it. I'm looking for a bag to go on the back of it, maybe a large saddle bag? I commute 7 miles to work and need to fit; 1 pair of pants, shirt, belt, dress shoes, and 2-3 tupperware stuff for food. Is there any large saddle bags that will fit this? I'm looking at this option because i don't want to buy panniers and a back rack, cause on the weekend i wana be able to just take off on the bike with no load. Also something that matches the old school aesthetic of this bike.

heres my bike for reference:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...F5C8FF6740.jpg

Carradice would make the largest saddlebags, but even then I'm not sure it would fit all the stuff you mention. Have you considered leaving your shoes at work?

Wow, that's a great idea... never thought of that.

Wonder if this would fit my stuff:

http://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...ebag-p2835.htm

Dude, you can get a bigger Carradice for less money from wiggle.co.uk right now. Leave the shoes at work if possible. Maybe consider running a decent sized bar bag as well for any overflow from the saddlebag.

even after paying with USD?

I believe the Camper Longflap is the biggest they make at 24 liters. Unfortunately, it appears they are out of stock. As far as shipping, I've read that quite a few of the UK based e-tailers offer up free shipping with a minimum purchase. In this case, the Camper Longflap from Wiggle should've qualified on its own.

What about a back pack? Sounds like your changing clothes anyway, so a sweaty back shouldnt matter.

I use a Minnehaha Medium bag which is 650 cubic inches. It's barely big enough to fit my lunch and tools. Some days if it's cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon I also might need to carry gloves and a light jacket.

Yep backpacks seems like the way to go. I'd start with something I had around the house. Maybe you can borrow one from the kids... just to see how you like it.

Trying to move away from a backpack (what im using now) cause I'm currently working through a shoulder injury in the gym and backpacks agitate it. Also they block my line of sight, at least some of them do.

Does your saddle need loops for these seat bags? my stock masi one does not

I have that bag. It can carry everything on your list except the shoes.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7...5d8eedf2fc.jpg

Yes or the little adapters from Velo Orange. Or a Bagman support.

I'd suggest you check out the Xooter Crossrack and bag:

http://www.xootr.com/plogger/plog-co...k700ccbike.jpg

I've never used one of these, but saw it when I was looking for a set of panniers to use on my commute. My job doesn't require I dress nicely. I think they're happy when I show up wearing pants.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_166278_-1___

http://media.nashbar.com/images/nash...-BLK-FRONT.jpg

http://www.cyclepanniersnow.com/wp-c...Pannier-11.jpg

http://www.cyclepanniersnow.com/wp-c...Pannier-22.jpg

You can also use the Carradice SQR uplift mount for the saddlebag. It attaches to the seat post rather than the saddle rails.

R&K Click-fix has a seat post mount to use their handlebar bag mount on the back,
they also make a rack, basket and a backpack and shoulder bag, to use that fitting once it's installed.
VeloFred is the US source for the German products.

There is also a plate you can screw onto a squarish kitty litter container
to make that useful a second time..

Get a carradice bag and a Bagman from Wiggle. Also get one of those bungee nets. When you don't have a whole lot of stuff, just stuff in the bag; when things overfill, stuff as much as you can in the bag, hook net onto bagman towards your saddle, stack more stuff on top of the bag, run net over stuff, and finally latch onto far end of Bagman. I use a Barley, and despite being the smallest bag in their lineup I can carry shoes/change of clothes/lunch with ease. The Barley is small enough that I usually leave it on all the time w/ my repair kit and a couple candy bars in case I forget to bring something to eat.

I leave everthing I can at work, like shoes, belt, towel, etc.

I have the Nelson Longflap by Carradice and can nearly always carry everything I need inside the bag. When there isn't enough room inside, there are straps to carry things outside the bag.

There are also frame bags that you might consider that are easy to attach/detach with velcro straps they come with. I use one when I need to carry rain gear so it won't get other things wet inside the seat bag.

What keeps this from swinging from side to side? I have a rack that attaches to the seat post, but I quit using it long ago due to that problem of it never staying in place.

nice bike. really nice bike.

I leave my shoes at work, in my desk, so I don't have to carry them everyday. I have a small-ish seat bag (recumbent) that I use about half the year. I'll be ordering a bit larger bag in about a month for winter gear. It'll be cold enough that I need my winter gear in the mornings, but not for the ride home, so I'll need a bit more space than I have now. You might also think about what else you can leave at work that you don't have to carry back and forth every day (deodorant, snacks). I try to take most of my food in one or two days and leave in the fridge at work, also.

Arkey also makes a backpack/rack combination similar to the Xootr shown above. I don't have that one, but I have a number of their other bags and they are all excellent quality.

Alas, it's not mine, just a pic I snatched off the web.

A proper clamp, I suppose.

From the Nashbar website: "420 denier nylon material with water-resistant coating "

That means your stuff gets wet.