Bicycle Commuting

[TimmyBoston]

I'm going to be going back to school this semester and I'm to commute on my bike as much as possible both for my daily workout and to save money on gas.

Right now, I have a solid road bike but I need to find a rack that will fit it and a trunk or panniers or whatever will be best. I am also looking for a messenger bag and anything that will help in daily journey.

I've never done any commuting so I know nothing about it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[maurerc]

The most practical luggage is made by Ortlieb. I suggest their most basic panniers and/or their large briefcase. Racks are best made of stainless steel because the welds of aluminum racks tend to fatigue. Tubus are the industry's standard. And whatever you do, be sure to buy a good headlamp. Half of nighttime collisions of cars with bikes occur when cars don't see a bike coming perpendicular to them toward an intersection, and nothing will prevent that but a headlamp.

 

[Mysterion]

I commute daily with an Arkel pannier--made in Canada, very well-designed attachment system, and excellent overall construction. I like Ortleib stuff a lot, but I feel their attachment is a bit cumbersome. (I sold my Ortlieb bags for this reason.) I suggest either the Utility Basket or the Commuter from Arkel, depending on your needs. Messenger bags are great--if you're using them as a messenger would; on and off the bike, with a need to get into the bag quickly as you ride from point to point. If you're just going to be riding from home to school and parking your bike, let the bike carry the weight, not your back.

Does your bike have eyelets on the frame that will allow you to attach a rack? If so, I think you'll be fine with a Blackburn rack--their Expedition Rack (EX-1) is kind of an industry standard, with much better weld penetration than lower-tier racks, and a bullet-proof guarantee. It's not as elegantly wrought as a Tubus, but it's a good deal cheaper. If you don't have eyelets, you'll need a rack that attaches to the seatpost--many of these work fine, but limit the weight you can carry. You'll need one that has side extensions to which you can attach a pannier--I believe Topeak makes some pretty decent units.

Unless you're carrying a heroic amount of gear, a single pannier should do it--attach it to the non-drive side of the bike for best balance. Remember to pack your pannier with the heaviest gear at the bottom, to keep your center of gravity as low as possible.

 

[Adeeb11]

if you want a quality messanger bag go with Chrome, handmade in the USA and affordable enough.Iv been using the large one for school and it fits 5-10 books easy, plus extra layers in the winter, and other things, its roomy and comfy, and looks pretty damn nice with the big silver buckle.

 

[Mysterion]

if you want a quality messanger bag go with Chrome, handmade in the USA and affordable enough.Iv been using the large one for school and it fits 5-10 books easy, plus extra layers in the winter, and other things, its roomy and comfy, and looks pretty damn nice with the big silver buckle.

Nothing against Chrome bags (heck, some of my best friends use 'em,) but that hardware is heavy. The bags are very nicely made, and the strap design is really nice, but you do pay a price for that stylie buckle. A lot of old school messengers rely on bags from Manhattan Portage, Bailey Bagworks, and good ol' Timbuk2. The Timbuks have become sort of an urban cliché, as they've added tiny, little purse-like bags to the line-up, but they still do the job. (And, due to that popularity, you can frequently find deals online. Try Sierra Trading Post and Backcountry.com)

If you perspire heavily, avoid Chrome's ultra-cool sparkly vinyl bags. On a hot summer day, you will be hating life with that thing strapped across your back. And whatever bag you end up choosing, remember it's designed to be worn cinched up high on your back/shoulder. Wear it too low, and it becomes a big, irritating pendulum.

 

[Echo]

I use a Timbuk2 Commute Messenger bag. It's really sturdy and has lasted me the past four years now. I've since graduated, so I use it as my work bag. It's great and it has a nice padded sleeve inside for your laptop if you carry one around.

 

[Rughi]

If you find you have one pannier's worth of gear to haul, you may find a saddlebag to your liking.

It has no rack or other major attaching hardware required and removes easily from the bike so that you're not leaving stuff attached to your bike where thieves may get to it. Also, when the weekend comes its easy to just take off with your unencumbered bike than if you had racks and pannier bags .

Here's one type available. There are many other sources from vendors like Rivendell, Wallingford Bicycle, and Harris Cyclery.

It's probably your saddle will need these to attach the bag.

Roger

 

[TimmyBoston]

Thanks guys for the all the info. Keep it coming!

I do perspire very heavily so I definitely want things that will stay relatively cool.

Do most messenger bags clip around your waist too? Even with it high, how do you keep it from flopping around?

I've got some stupidly heavy books should I go with a backpack or a messenger?

 

[Mysterion]

....Do most messenger bags clip around your waist too? Even with it high, how do you keep it from flopping around?

Yes, most messenger bags include a waist strap, though messengers typically don't use it; it just slows you down on the job. This pic--randomly plucked off the interweb--shows the "right" way to wear the bag. Worn this high, the bag won't move too much as you ride, though you may still find yourself making small adjustments.

You might split the difference between traditional messenger bag and backpack with something like this Ortleib messenger bag, which has two straps like a backpack, as well as a waist strap. Some messengers love them--I tried one, but could never get along with it, because it blocked my view behind in city traffic. YMMV

 

[Doc4]

Thanks guys for the all the info. Keep it coming!

I do perspire very heavily so I definitely want things that will stay relatively cool.

Do most messenger bags clip around your waist too? Even with it high, how do you keep it from flopping around?

I've got some stupidly heavy books should I go with a backpack or a messenger?

Tim, put those books in your pannier. I'd skip the backpack altogether. I bike-commute in the warmer half of the year, and the best thing I ever did was abandon the backpack for a pannier.

Get yourself some high visibility clothing. I like Brook's "Nightlife" line.

 

[Jake]

You might also look into woolen jerseys and base layers. If you sweat much you'll appreciate the non-stink feature inherent in wool. I've occasionally worn the same jersey 3 or 4 days straight in the summer with no one holding their nose when they pass me in the office after my 20 mile commute and no shower!

Ibex makes my favorite but their are many wool options these days. Jerseys, shorts, and tights.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Ian, I think is the route I'm going to go. Do you (or anyone else) have recommendation on a specific pannier and suitable rack? I'm embarrassingly lost. I have Trek 1.5 compact so whatever I get will need to be compatible with that system.

I think I'll also be getting a Timbuk2 Messenger bag as well. What size and what options should I get? What's worthwhile with this product? Anything I should get and anything I should avoid?

 

[Mysterion]

Good decision, Tim. Your back will thank you. Although it might be possible to finesse a standard-style rack onto your bike's frame, road bikes and rear racks can make for a difficult marriage. I think a seatpost-mounted rack will be the tidiest solution for you.

Although I like panniers from Arkel, they are pretty pricey, and I think you might run into some clearance issues with a larger bag, especially if you have big feet. Delta makes inexpensive panniers that will do the job. If you follow the link to Delta's site, you'll see a complete set-up on a road bike, including a seatpost style rack (the Post Porter,) which will work well.

A Timbuk2 Classic in Medium should be fine for you; if you're going to be carrying a laptop, get a padded sleeve. Timbuk seems to be having a blow-out sale now.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Are there any pannier/messenger bag combos? I would love to have something that I could strap to the bike and then carry into class. I don't think I could hook the Timbuk2 classic messenger bag to my rack.*




*If there is a way to safely put this bag on a rack, please let me know, because that would be perfect for me. There won't be a laptop in just just books and notebooks.

 

[Muirtach]

Are there any pannier/messenger bag combos? I would love to have something that I could strap to the bike and then carry into class. I don't think I could hook the Timbuk2 classic messenger bag to my rack.*




*If there is a way to safely put this bag on a rack, please let me know, because that would be perfect for me. There won't be a laptop in just just books and notebooks.

a standard mess bag won't go well, but any of the backpack style ones would sit quite well. Chrome has a few models that are all quite comfortable and the Ortleib mentioned earlier is a nice option as well.

 

[Mysterion]

Are there any pannier/messenger bag combos? I would love to have something that I could strap to the bike and then carry into class. I don't think I could hook the Timbuk2 classic messenger bag to my rack.*

None that I know of. However, a number of companies make small panniers with a removable shoulder strap--some even convert to backpacks. Delta's "Waterproof Pannier" (in the above-referenced link) can convert to a backpack with an optional strap kit. It's not as high quality as some of the upper-tier gear, but it will probably do what you want. Whatever you end up with, you're going to have to keep it pretty small--on a road bike, full-size panniers may interfere with your pedal stroke.

 

[TimmyBoston]

I purchased a rear rack form my LBS and I ordered a Pannier/Messenger bag from Timbuk2. It's rather clunky as a messenger bag, but for my classes it will be just fine.

 

[TimmyBoston]

I've got most of the equipment I need, but I just remembered that I still need a bike lock. Any recommendations??


I'm also considering getting some other clothes to commute in. I have normal cycling gear, but I'm wondering if some other gear, merino, etc would be better both on and off the bike for my purposes.

Thanks!

 

[TimmyBoston]

I've got most of the equipment I need, but I just remembered that I still need a bike lock. Any recommendations??


I'm also considering getting some other clothes to commute in. I have normal cycling gear, but I'm wondering if some other gear, merino, etc would be better both on and off the bike for my purposes.

Thanks!

Anybody?

Two days I will have time to change and shower, but one day I ride down there on for only a 50 min class, I'd prefer to wear something that would be acceptable for both my ride and the class.

 

[Doc4]

I've got most of the equipment I need, but I just remembered that I still need a bike lock. Any recommendations??


I'm also considering getting some other clothes to commute in. I have normal cycling gear, but I'm wondering if some other gear, merino, etc would be better both on and off the bike for my purposes.

Thanks!

Tim, I just ordered some pants from these guys. http://outlier.cc/2009/11/4season_og_pants_iteration_three.php

The pants seem pretty slim-cut in the website photos, but they have dimensions so you can whip out the tape measure. I hope your legs are skinny like a garden hose.

When the pants arrive, I'll let you know what I think of the quality. Other than that, I'd say get some casual/performance wool pants, so if you get caught in the rain you don't get miserable. There is a fair bit of wool (merino &c) legware out there for cyclists, but most of it ... almost all of it ... is "performance" stuff that is skin-tight or close. Don't tell Francis this, but ... if you are more than about 6 feet away from your bike, wearing those tights is about the worst look you can imagine.



For the top, perhaps find a merino baselayer (pretty easy) and wear a cycling jacket overtop. When you reach your destination, simply take off the jacket and toss on a sweater, shirt, jacket, whatever the day requires and leave the baselayer on ... so you can "change" in public without nudity issues getting you funny looks.