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Hello,
I am looking for a way of taking all my kit out with me whilst commuting by bike.
Currently got a largish backpack but need more capacity.
Was looking at panniers but cannot work out if they'd be safe when the cycle is locked up? And if they be ok if i took them off the bike ( ie carry two bags around plus my backpack would seem excessive. I think a really large backpack or courier bag is probably the way to go - need room for locks, change of clothing, rain-gear, etc etc..
I have looked at the Brand X panniers..
Any ideas or recommendations?
I don't mind investing in something reasonable price wise but as always cheaper is better... 🙂
thanks
From experience, really have a look at what you are carrying and try and reduce it rather than getting a bigger bag, ie can you leave work clothes at work? Do you need to take the lap top with you? Can you leave the lock at work and use another one for home?
I found courier bag looks cool and works fine for a short trip, but with a laptop and charger and phone and charger and boots and clothes and a towel and shampoo and lunch and homework it got me peddling lopsided.
Switched to a backpack and started leaving the laptop at work one day a week to cart a bumper load of shirts in and bought a pair of office slippers which reduced the weight I carted around.
It all depends what your work is and how much gear you actually need to take with you, but then I have weight weenie tendencies and ride a hardtail on 1.95s and cut the ends of my shoelaces to save weight and drag.
Dont take a bag at all
Get descent panniers
Then they are easy to remove
How much as you carrying . Change of clothes , laptop , lunch all fits in a single 28litre pannier .....
For decent waterproof gear and competitive prices, take a look at Overboard:
http://www.over-board.co.uk/waterproof-bike-bags.html
I have a 30 litre backpack and highly rate it..
How much stuff are you carrying?? Not sure why you would need a backpack and two panniers unless you work on the other side of the Himalayas.
Backpack will guarantee that you arrive at work nice and sweaty, so unless you have a shower there, I'd probably ditch that.
I generally commute with one Ortlieb pannier. Put my work clothes in there, my lunch, waterproofs if the weather's bad, tools, and whatever else I need, which could include books, locks, coffee, shoes, etc....but I try to keep it to a minimum simply because it makes my journey more difficult, the more weight I carry. The panniers themselves will hold loads more.
The Ortlieb panniers just clip off in seconds, and even come with an optional shoulder strap so that you can carry it around with you.
thanks all. Use the bike for going into town etc and outings..... so no place for storage.
When I say commuting I mean just getting about on/offroad rather then MTBing. So basically going places.. with food, kit etc..
I take a number of locks and need to carry everything..usually take puncture stuff etc etc..so do not want to really cut down on anything...although this is good advice...Will look at the backpack, but tbh I think panniers may well be the way to go...after reading this..
I would not need to have a backpack then...although I never ridden without one for commuting so would feel naked 😯
Thank you all for your input!!
STW rules 
thanks just read the pannier thread..