I just replaced my touring bike with a rack-less road bike. I'm not digging the sweat and heat from wearing a backpack, but I don't want to install a rack that I only use on commutes. My bag is super light because it's just clothes and makeup for work, so I'm wondering if there's another convenient way to carry it where I won't have to add anything permanent to the frame.

Carradice makes some wonderful products that should suit your needs, plus some others if you need to carry a lot more than what you mentioned.

I use a rack. Actually, I have a full carbon road bike, and it doesn't have a rack - and it's a real pain. I keep using my commuter bike with a rack for riding because of it. Need to bring a light rainjacket in case it rains? - oh, right, now rack. Need bring an undershirt because I'm biking and the sun will go down, or want to sit at the lake for an hour and won't be warm? No rack. Etc etc...I recently discovered my carbon bike was to small, and am looking for a new one in a larger frame - but some sort of rack is going on there. It's to useless without one.

The closest thing I know of that meets your requirements is my dad has something like this -

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - DynaPack?


His doesn't have such a big attachment thing, it looks a little nicer, but either way you can take the "bag" on and off fairly easily, leaving just the seatpost mount attached more long term to the bike.

Another thing to consider is how much you can just leave at your job - I have a desk at work, and I'm a guy, so I leave an entire change of clothes their and don't carry clothes back and forth on my bike. Periodically I'll take them home in my car (since I don't bike all the time) and wash them (usually for convenience I'll bring in the clean set and bring home the dirty set so there's never ever a time I don't have clothing at work).

Try using a seat post rack with a trunk bag on top.

In 3x ply plastic shopping bag hanging secured off handlebars, in pockets on shorts, or in backpack. I usually have an assortment of things like phone chargers etc so i end up with backpack regardless. Both of mine are very light & tend to hang clear so i do get airflow.

Seat post cargo pouch looks good for those smaller items....!!

Handlebar bag might work for you as well, as some open toward the rider & you can access stuff without dismounting...?

- Andy

Revelate Designs Tangle frame bag. I put one on my fat bike because my spare tube was too large to fit into a saddlebag, and I didn't want to bring the pannier if I wasn't heading to work. Easy on, easy off, waterproof, and relatively innocuous looking, compared to trunk racks. Surprisingly roomy, as well; in mine I keep a spare tube, tire pump, tire levers, patch kit, large dial pressure gauge, multitool, crescent wrench, 4 large bungees, lightweight gloves, cheap sunglasses, and a couple of tennis balls, plus I can fit my U-lock in there if I break it down first.



If you can't fit your clothes in the Tangle, Revelate also makes full sized frame bags. A little pricey, but the construction quality is top notch, and they're made in the US.

Interesting, this may be what I'm looking for.. could you tell me how wide the bag is? It's hard to tell from a lateral angle. I have pretty beefy thighs and I'm concerned about it chafing. Also, is the velcro attachment soft? I don't want a material that's going to make marks on my frame over time. I like that it doesn't hang over a wheel so it won't get as dirty; that was always a problem when I bungee netted a backpack to my old rack. (By the way, your boxer's look in that photo is precious lol)

I like the Dynapack as well, although I'm concerned about its center of balance.. it seems like something that would possibly move around on bumpy rides.

Check assortment of light or heavy (larger) "Lumber Pack" or "Fanny Pack" on your favorite internet shopping site.

How about a pair of saddle bags for those fine dogs of yours?

What are the tennis balls for?

courier bag? I've used them when my rack wasn't enough to carry all my stuff. I got smarter though and began storing food, clothes, shoes, etc at work and restocking with my car occasionally. then I got to carry less on my rack on a daily basis except, lunch, snacks daily towel, etc. personally I can't live without my rear rack even if I'm strapping on a small bag for a day ride, it's just so convenient (for me). they do make very light weight racks for road bikes.

Have you tried a handlebar bag? Dill Pickle Gear has some pretty nice ones.

C'mon those dogs aren't gunna want to share the one ball between them ..I wouldn't at least.

I've got several Carradice bags, and that is what I use for carrying my commuting gear most of the time. You can mount them on virtually any frame, and they have little effect on handling (unlike panniers and racktop bags). If you get one with the Carradice Bagman quick-release rack, you can easily install and remove the bag.

a handlebar bag purse combination may be possible
This From Ortlieb perhaps? ORTLIEB Produkt-Details


Myself? 2 front panniers , or 1 larger bag on the front carrier block of my Brompton ..

The backpack I just got (Chrome Bravo) has an EVA cooling panel on the back, so it's (in theory) not in complete contact with your back. I haven't had any problems, but then I'm only going four miles, and it's not hot out yet.

Most technical/cycling-specific backpacks have similar features.

I really like those Carradice racks. But am I missing something? Why is a bent steel bar $75? Is it because of the material cost or the brand name? I’m willing to invest money for quality, but I’m a student so I’m working with a budget. Their classic look is really nice though..

As for the handlebar bag suggestion, I ride on the tops almost as much as the hoods, and I switch my hand positions a lot. It seems like a bag in that space would interfere with that.

My commute is 12 miles, so even with a cooling panel, my Camelbak is uncomfortable. It’s not horrible, but since I do it 6-10 times a week, little conveniences make all the difference I do use the Camelbak when I'm in a rush and don't have time to bungee a bag down

I’ve stripped down to the bare essentials for what I pack, so yeah I keep all my food, shoes, deodorant, perfume, etc at work. I have thought about keeping a wardrobe there as well, but I like picking my outfit out every morning lol. I appreciate all of your suggestions! I've been commuting for three years now and I had no idea there were so many options.

The Carradice Bagman racks are rather expensive, but make the bags much more usable and convenient. Without the rack, my Barley bag hits the backs of my legs on every peddle stroke and sways a lot. The quick release feature is also very nice, so you can quickly mount or remove the bag. I bought mine direct from England, so prices were much less than US dealers, and picked up another one used for a good price. You can buy all Carradice products direct from their website in England, and they have much better selection and prices than other outlets, and shipping costs are very reasonable.

It's not just a steel bar, it's a bracket that attaches to your saddle rails with a quick release mechanism, and an attachment for your saddlebag to clip into that mechanism. That said, it's not cheap, but it works very well. This is what I use, too. If you want to use the same bag on another bike that already has a rack, you can get a quick release without the steel bar. This also works well for me.

These guys make some rad accessories for light loads and they're a small LA company. Thinking about getting a burrito bag in the near future.

Road Runner Bags

And Being in UK makiung stuff costs more than being in China ,

for one thing the U$D is always less than 1:1 with the British Pound,
@1.6 to 1.7.. check the currency exchange rates it varies with the day ..

then there is shipping across the Atlantic and distribution costs.

+1 for the clamp-on seatpost rack idea. It might even hold a trunk bag with light-weight, fold out panniers, like the one Schwinn sells for about $25. The seatpost rack can be easily removed and re-attached as you see fit.

The Tangle, when stuffed full, sticks out about an inch on each side past the frame, for an overall width of about three inches. I haven't experienced any thigh rub, and, for reference, my thighs measure 23 inches. My bag's a size small, so it's only four inches deep; the size medium and especially the size large have more room, but whether you can fit them depends on the size of your bike. As to scuffing your frame, I couldn't really say; the attachment straps are heavy duty nylon, but I can't imagine that they'd scuff the paint on your bike, especially since the bag doesn't really move. There are six attachment straps that hold the bag pretty firmly to the frame, so while the bag is easy to mount and remove, it isn't quick; it takes a few minutes either way. If you're looking for a bag that you can easily remove and carry, the Tangle might not be the best choice, as it has no carrying handles or straps; it's really just made to stay strapped to a bike.

If you want a bag that you can take with you, and you can afford it, the Carradice quick release bag is probably your best bet. It's expensive, but I've never read anything other than glowing, enthusiastic reviews about Carradice products. Sometimes "paying for the brand" is actually worth it, if that brand produces a truly quality product that can't be found elsewhere. And it might be vanity, but some of the price disparity between Carradice bags and those seatpost mounted rack/bag combos reflects how pretty Carradice bags look, and also how ugly the lower priced alternative looks.

Reading over this thread has really enlightened me to how different i am from most cyclists when it comes to this kind of topic. I pretty much never go anywhere without my backpack (even if its empty), and i doubt that will ever change.... Only thing i plan for new bike is a rectangle milk crate on rear rack. I really prefer carrying things, and in my case there is nowhere to put anything for "when i get there", as i do not have an office in the traditional sense. That said.... it is fascinating how many options are out there, especially if you have the money...

- Andy

I don't know, I'd say that the overwhelming majority of cyclists that I see use backpacks. Second to that would be rack mounted trunk bags, and third's probably split evenly between panniers and shopping bags hung on handlebars.

I used a backpack for almost ten years, before acquiring a bike with a rear rack, and later a set of panniers, and I only got those for carrying large, heavy loads, like groceries, textbooks, and recycling. I didn't initially intend to replace my commuting backpack with a pannier, but the experience of cycling without a backpack was so much more pleasant that I ditched the pack without a second thought.

I work in a restaurant, so employee storage is a communal space, and other than work shoes, we can't leave anything overnight. A single pannier takes up no more room than a backpack, and when loaded with mostly clothes (a single change in the summer, loads more in the winter [extra hat, second pair of gloves/mittens, extra thermal shirt, second neck warmer, ski goggles, extra socks, chemical hand warmers, insulated vest]), a towel, a book, and u-lock, it doesn't weigh enough to noticeably effect the bike's handling, and it's waterproof.

I can't stand having anything on my back, like a backpack, especially in warm weather. I use a front bag on this bike, I don't notice it getting in the way of my hands.


P4120234 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr

On my commuter, I have a fairly large front bag held by a VO decaleur on a front rack. It can hold a change of clothes, extra lights, and a cable lock, etc.


P4170268 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr