How do I carry my stuff to work?
 

Hi,

I'm cycling 14 miles per day on my Dahon MU P8. Its the business. However, I have to carry work shoes, trousers and a shirt, and often a few extras, lunch, papers etc. I live in Scotland, so I encounter rain! I get by on a medium sized backpack for now, but I’d prefer to use the rear rack. And have something I can take into the office, I leave the bike locked outside and I have to fold for the bus too.
I have looked through the forums here, and researched online, but its hard to visualise what might be the best solution. I don’t mind rear panniers, but its hard to know whether I’d get heel strike. Any helpful suggestions?

I don't have any experience with smaller racks on folder, but there is a Dahon Mu in my bikerack and to me it looks as if panniers would be difficult on the rack (both in terms of height off of the ground and heel strike).

If you put a fuller size rack on, I still think you could fold the bike with no problem and could get something workable with panniers (which I personally much prefer over a backpack).

Not a MU P8 unfortunately, but Ortlieb front roller panniers work for me. But only just...

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5609/winter003.jpg

Adjusted as far to the back as they will go, they only just avoid heel-strike (size UK 8 1/2 shoe), practically all the weight is behind the rear hub. Not ideal but the only way I've found to date to use the space.

If you can face it, a hugely unsexy alternative is the old wire basket on the carrier. They work great and cost pennies.

Isn't there a Brompton like luggage block you can get to mount on the steering tube for Dahons now ?

On days that I do not ride to work, I will carry a few shirts & trousers and keep it in a locker together with work shoes and a towel for washing up. So on those daily commute by bike, I can travel light. The return trip, I will carry the work clothes that I wear home for washing but the work shoes stay in the locker.

I would suggest something similar. Although it always seems like a "big" purchase, I'd get a decent pair of work shoes - even two pairs for different outfits - and leave them at the office, as well as a bottle of shoe polish. Shoes are not necessarily the heaviest items you'll carry, but they tend to bulky and take up precious space. It'll hurt a little buying them - good shoes are never cheap - but think of all the money you're saving on fuel and car maintenance! :)

I also have a wash cloth and a small bottle of body wash at work, just in case.

Depending on your job, the clothes you need might range from business casual (trousers, golf shirt), up to semi-formal. If you have the room, I'd leave a blazer, spare pants, shirt, and tie at the office. Good for the days you forget to pack that change of clothes...

I have a Carradice SQR Slim, which attaches to the seatpost. It's still going strong after about eight years. In fact, it's outlasted my Dahon! It has no problems with heel strike, it stays nice and dry inside and you can pack a lot into it. Highly recommended.

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php...&product_id=57

Sorry, I guess I forgot to address your original question.... on my Brompton, I find that the combination of a backpack and one of the Brompton bags attached the front carrying block carries most of my work items well. My lunch is usually the heaviest item! ;)

I usually carry spares, tools, raingear, breakfast, lunch, a change of clothes (in the summer time) and a laptop. I've used a rucksack carried on my back and have also just mounted it on a rear rack. Alternatively I've used a rear trunk with integral panniers mounted on a seat post rack raised high enough to prevent heel strike. I tend to prefer the rucksack... on my back in winter, on the rack in summer.

Al, what areas in Scotland are you familiar with? I would like to get advice on remote areas to explore.

I 2nd the seat post mounted bag . .. Rixen and Kaul
the uplift truss makes using Klick Fix hardware work on the front of Dahons, too.

have a look through their range.. some of that will then mount on the front..

their rear mount system includes a backpack you dont have to wear while you ride..

Lots of stuff to think about. I don't think my pride will allow a wire basket. On the other hand, I hadn't thought about seatpost mounted options. I will now.
Bass Not Bass - I'm in the Central Belt. Not the most scenic, althought my commute takes in some of the river Forth which can be very nice. There is loads of amazing cycling in Scotland though. It helps if you like hills obviously! The Scottish govt is slowly waking up and putting money into new scenic routes. Glen Ogle is my top fave cycle trail, but its more for a mountain bike.

Definitely consider the seatpost rack options, like was already said about pedal strike and height I can't imagine a regular rack on a dahon working out very well.

(Embra)ce the wire basket. Nobody ever even wants to steal them, the cheap ones are light. And it's a grand two finger salute when you overtake a racer.

Could give BNB a couple of tips for the Borders but I'm too junior to PM...

Al, I wanted to get back out to the Hebrides (Skye is one of my favorite places) but felt it's best I explore my two favorite towns more (Dunfermline and Stirling), head up to Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth and then head south through Cairngorms NP. I'd also like to revisit the North East Fife coast again... I grew up in a fishing town in New England and towns like St. Monans just feel like home.

I have a seat post system: Topeak QR Beam Rack EX Bicycle Rack with a Topeak MTX Trunk Bag EX Bicycle Trunk Bag. The Rack takes different sized bags. There is also a rain cover and a fender available for the system. My bag fits a pair of sneakers, and a bunch of extra clothing. You may need something wrinkle free.

I usually take the bag, but leave the rack on. But where I leave, theft hasn't been an issue (yet).

The on going problem - How to travel light - Strive for a minimal change of cloths - Make your bike shoes the ones you wear all day (some how) - Never give up - This never changes no matter how many panniers, bags or trailers you have...

Well, it sounds like a real quest - perfect bike, perfect clothing, perfect storage. I'll get to the holy grail if it kills me! I agree, I think the important thing is just to keep at it. If I ever get the right fit for me, I'll be entitled to feel smug.

Bass Not Bass - I'm a Fifer for my sins. Grew up in Dunfermline and I still live closeby. As I see it every day, I don't feel very warmly towards it, but yes it has its good points. And the East Neuk is a nice part of the world. Did you know there is a Fife coastal path now?

+1 on the Klickfix and Rixen & Kaul seatpost backpack combo. I have been using the same bag for 5 years on my Dahon(s). Great system - comes with a waterproof cover too.

[IMG]www.flickr.com/photos/yokohamarides/8237780842/in/set-72157621961210650/[/IMG]

+1 on the Klickfix and Rixen & Kaul seatpost backpack combo. I have been using the same bag for 5 years on my Dahon(s). Great system - comes with a waterproof cover too.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8...607d0426_c.jpg

Klixfix seatpost adapter and a Rixen- Kaul backpack for my tikit .

On my Swift I use their rack and a pannier

I was not aware of that... I'll check into that.

A little bit of trivia... when Nazareth (from Dunfermline Scotland, for those who don't know) were touring the USA they arrived in New Albany, Indiana to play at the New Albany Amphitheatre when Darrell Sweet took ill and died of a heart attack. He was buried in New Albany... just a few miles from where I live.

This is a still from a poor quality video of a gig I played this past summer with one of my bands at that very amphitheatre. It has a dedication plaque to Darrell.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8...0d2e15bc_z.jpg