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Every few weeks I have to go to a meeting which is a very pleasant 95 mile cycle away, so quite often I get up early, ride there, and get the train back.
The only problem is the amount of stuff I need to take with me: laptop + power supply, minimal change of clothes, glasses, phone, mini wash kit, etc. I'm fortunate that I don't have to look in any way smart when I get there, but a full day in lycra would be unpleasant for all concerned. My laptop is fairly small and I can get it all into a small backpack that feels completely comfortable when I leave, but I'm often struggling with back ache by the time I get there.
The boring answer would be to take my commuter with pannier rack, but that's noticeably slower and would really suck the fun out of it.
So I'm now wondering about getting a bikepacking style saddle bag, and putting everything except the laptop in that, so I've only got a 1kg laptop on my back.
Any other ideas? How do those large saddle bags affect the handling and feel of a bike?
How much of that stuff could be stashed at the meeting venue? & could you borrow a lap top at the other end and just take a memory stick?
Some people say that they can feel the saddle bag sway but I've never noticed even when doing rough stuff, you just have to pack carefully with heaviest stuff close to the seatpost. I'm assuming that with it being a 95 mile ride that it's on road, in which case you aren't going to notice it. On my commuter I've an Ortlieb 4 litre saddle bag that has a hard fixing to the saddle rails. I can get a full set of clothes in there except for shoes.
The other option might be a frame bag so that the weight is central to the bike.
In the past I have posted stuff ahead, and then had it posted back, but it's a bit of a faff to organise regularly. Borrowing a laptop probably is an option, although it's quite handy to have it with me in order to get some stuff done on the train on the way back. I've do have a fold up keyboard, small mouse and credit card sized phone stand that allow me to get a reasonably effective "mobile workstation" into my jersey pocket.
I've not noticed a small rack and pannier being any slower, but it isn't so nice off road or out of the saddle.
I'm a big fan of this bag:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/900-cycling-messenger-bag-black-15l-id_8385332.html
It's big enough for all you need, including shoes.
I would either get a rack and pannier or, if there's a post pack type bag that will hold your laptop, one of those (since they unclip easily, leaving you with just a plastic mounting block rather than a full rack). 95 miles with a rucksack sounds like misery, and you won't really notice a rack and small pannier if you're only on tarmac.
You should be able to fit in all of that into something like a Carradice Nelson and the SQR mount ( bit of plastic that attaches to the seat post ) so you wouldn't need the rucksack at all.
It's a fairly solid bit of kit and doesn't flap around too much, though this would depend very much on the weight of laptop.
Get an iPad (other manufacturers and operating systems are available) and some very lightweight clothing. Saddle bag, frame bag or seat post rack may all be options.
I use this on pretty much all my winter CX rides:
So much easier to access than a saddle bag. You need to protect your frame with helitape though.
Wildcat Gear Ocelot
Loads of other companies have launched something similar.
Crickey, what time do you have to get up for a 95 mile commute? Or is the meeting at 4 o'clock in the afternoon?
Topeak MTX beamrack will take all you need, If your laptop is small, it should fit in the fold down side panniers inside a sleeve. Mine doesn't have those because I like the pockets to be usable ad it is normally mounted in the trike for luggage.
Mine takes light shoes, trousers, a shirt and wash things. It needs a round seatpost (or DX rack). Also the clamp can touch the thigh, but I've not found it to be an issue. Comes in three sizes depending on height.
I'd be happy riding 90 miles with it. But then I rode 160 miles with my winter bike which has a QL3 Tubus rack permanently attached for a briefcase,
Have a look at the Topeak. And be wary of shoes, they are always the killer for space.
Most racks are attached with only 4 bolts, so they're not a hardship to fit and remove once a week.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Those wide Carradice bags look nice in theory, although leather buckles look like they'd fit rather loosely compared to straps with the type of buckles that you can pull tight. I'd be a bit nervous about clamping the SQR mount to the CF post on my summer bike. Does anyone else make anything similar?
I'm not really interested in going down the rack route. I've got a bike with a rack that I use for my 20 mile round trip commute, and it's very practical, but a bit of a lump. I want to be able to do this ride on a "nice" bike (which definitely doesn't have rack mounts)
Crickey, what time do you have to get up for a 95 mile commute? Or is the meeting at 4 o’clock in the afternoon?
11am meeting. If I leave at 5:30am I make it comfortably. Fastest time yet is just under 4h50 with a gale force tail wind.
And be wary of shoes, they are always the killer for space.
Oh yeah, shoes are already well off the list. I take rubber cleat covers as I've the platforms at Paddington are lethal when wet. My change of clothes is pants, t-shirt and if I can possibly get away with it, shorts, otherwise jeans.
I use a carradice bag and mount , good bit of kit, maybe consider a cheap alloy seat pin and another saddle and just swap them with your cf set up when needed?
Caradice SQR still, but the tour/slim bag instead. Laptop slips in flat It would be my bag of choice in your position. Helps that I've got one already, though.
And it does a great job of keeping spray off your arse if you get caught in a shower. Doesn't sound like the bike in question would have mudguards!
Edit - wot poster above said re: spare seatpost. I wouldn't be bothered about the weight load load on the CF, but putting a wrap of inner tube rubber around the post means you can use less clamping force.
Beam rack or Carradice thingy. Both fit posh bikes and do little to affect the handling. Soft bags are ok for clothes but crap for laptops and even ne of hose on your back is daft really.
You know a rack make sense.
You need a new bike.
I second the Carridice Tour with the SQR mount, as I can fit, shirt, pants, lunch and bike spares (as well as shoes at a push). Also agree with the inner tube trick for the seat post.
You need a new bike.
Well, obviously.
Although not only will my "nice" winter road bike (Kinesis 4s disc) take a rack, but I have a spare rack sitting unused in my garage, so maybe I should just try that next time.
The Carradice Tour looks like an interesting option, as does getting a cheap tablet.
If you can beg a power adaptor, and don’t take shoes, I’d go minimal; the carradice is quite bulky, and the mount stays on the seat post. I used to use one with a Nelson Longflap. Prefer the Topeak system. To be fair, I used to just swap seatpost as I had a spare saddle.
I like to beg power at work and keep shoes at two sites. I’d probably wear spds if going elsewhere.
if you ride home, you can stop bye and try either system of an evening.
Does your laptopfit inside the front triangle? If so, a frame bag would be my choice. With a seat pack for shoes/bulky stuff its aero, its central so has little effect on handling, what’s not to like?
Also, have a look at a traditional saddle bag and also investigate ipad based or smaller laptop
i admire your commitment!!
I commute most days with a Carradice Camper longflap and SQR.
Carry a laptop and stuff. Five miles (This set up is just over 20-years old and now a pocket is starting to wear. Not happy.)
I do find a rack to support the bottom of the bag helps, but the Camper is a big bag.
Someone posted the link to the Tailfin above. Lightweight rack that can be attached to a normal road bike in seconds. Uses a special QR and then attaches to the seat post too. It's even carbon fibre and aero!
Not cheap though but the reviews are good and I had a long chat with them at the bike show and was impressed with the concept and execution.
Tubus fly weighs 16g more, can also mount to a seatpost (i use cateye light brackets on my trike) and QR axle. Im struggling to see the benefits. And it will take normal panniers and use the QR3 orlieb systems for bags and briefcases. My Tubus minimal stays on my winter bike and weighs the same. Think it’s discontinued, but is great with a Downtown case
I got a polaris messenger bag instead of a rucksack, I found it far more comfortable and they're only around £20 at the moment. I've nowhere near a 100 mile commute tho!
Just in case anyone was interested in the conclusion to this one, I had the first chance to try out my new approach today:
Made possible by ditching the laptop for this:
Not only by far the most comfortable ride so far, but also the fastest by quite a bit, even beating the day with the gale force tail wind. The bag is a bit awkward to pack and mount, but great in use. Thanks for the suggestion on this thread to go the tablet route - surprisingly usable.
I also splashed out on a 2 quid tiny packable rucksack from Decathlon so that I don't have to keep repacking the saddle bag when I need to get stuff in and out on the return journey.
Tubus fly weighs 16g more, can also mount to a seatpost (i use cateye light brackets on my trike) and QR axle
I would have said Tubus Fly as well, with a small Ortlieb front pannier. That would suck a lot less fun out of a long commute than a rucksack, for me!
I have the same alpkit seatpack, it’s expensive but superb.
When i go camping i can fit 2 lightweight blankets, a 3x3m tarp, a hammock and some food in it.
Glad to hear it worked for you.