Comments on: Carrying Your Stuff: Bicycle Bags and Racks

By: Jeffrey Sinnott

Jeffrey Sinnott — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:39:25 +0000

Thanks Stacey for your post. You mentioned most of the main types of bike bags. I recently started an online business selling bike bags for commuting, shopping and day touring, http://www.bikebagsforliving.com. Currently carry panniers, rack top bags and handlebar bags from Detours, Banjo Brothers and Pacific Outdoor Equipment. Panniers include utility or shopping panniers and those suitable for commuting. You seem to have left out rack top or rack trunk bags, as well as saddlebags (bags mounted to the saddle and/or seat post).
My favorite bag for everyday use is a rack top pannier bag with optional drop-down panniers. They’re suitable for both commuting and day touring, as well as light shopping. Currently not carrying bike backpacks, which are suitable for short commutes, though not for long ones or for touring. I know a lot of people use backpacks and messenger bags for commuting, and designs are improving, but carrying a bag on your back when you don’t need to seems unnecessary to me when there are so many panniers and other types of bags available.

By: ATXBikette

ATXBikette — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:16:11 +0000

A purse? I usually just place the shoulder straps over my handlebars. I used to pack in the back, but kept getting nervous having it out of my sight.

I found a Coca-Cola crate next to a dumpster that I zip-tied to my back rack. Great for carrying groceries and whatever else. (And if someone steals it, who cares?) If your broke, fishing around for something like that is great. Just be sure to secure it tightly! I didn’t try bungee cords but I imagine those would work well.

I moved to those reusable grocery bags they sell now and they are great to carry whatever in, I just loop them through my back rack, and they’re like a dollar.

Having the proper stuff is nice I guess, I wouldn’t know! But these things have worked for me.

By: Josh Lipton

Josh Lipton — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:23:36 +0000

@Matty

Funny you mention it. Carrying stuff by bike trailer is one of our upcoming posts.

By: matty

matty — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:01:20 +0000

how about bike trailers like the burley travoy? kind of pricey but it will work with just about any bike and can carry almost anything you’d need for a day commuting/running errands

By: Thanks Arleigh! | Commute by Bike

Thanks Arleigh! | Commute by Bike — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 05:44:12 +0000

[...] reviews. Here a few examples of Stacey’s work that stirred up a good deal of interest: What to Wear: Bike Commuting Clothing Essentials & Carrying Your Stuff: Bicycle Bags and [...]

By: bookbabe

bookbabe — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 22:18:42 +0000

How do you carry a purse on your bike?

By: Kurt

Kurt — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:18:32 +0000

Does anyone know where I can get a simple side rack to hold a briefcase? I hear all about panniers for this, but I already have my bag, and I just want a rack.

By: H.B. Bikenut

H.B. Bikenut — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:56:09 +0000

There’s a whole new category of bike bag you should be aware of. It’s called a Mid-Frame Bike Bag, made by Pcych (http://www.pcych.com). It’s like a cowboy’s saddlebag that mounts in that unused real estate between your knees, fitted out for laptop computers, books, hydration bladders, change of clothes, lunch, tubes, tools, what-have-you.

Quick on-off ratchets tightly suspend the bag between the steering headset and the seat-post, so it works on any kind of frame architecture in-between, which also makes it shock-absorbing enough for delicate electronics or even your carbonated beverage of choice The low center of gravity can even improve bike handling.

The Commuter – Urban Utility model doubles as a shoulder bag off the bike, with its integrated padded shoulder strap. All models can also lock up tight with a common padlock.

It’s really thoughtfully designed inside and out, and NO it doesn’t get in the way of your legs if packed with some foresight. Satiny-smooth fabric further minimizes any contact that might occur. I use mine daily on my 30-mile round trip commute with no problem.

Read my own review on REI’s Q&A blog here http://cl.ly/5801599c9f791b919b57 or another on BikeCommuters’ blog here http://cl.ly/7146c58623c9431cb244

By: Jonathan Krall

Jonathan Krall — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:03:54 +0000

I’m in agreement with Victoria and davidq on the fold-up baskets. They don’t add much weight, can’t be stolen easily, don’t get in the way when not being used, and are always there when the need arises (similar to my built-in lights and built-in lock).

By: Stacey Moses

Stacey Moses — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:20:58 +0000

Thanks for the photo, John. I always keep a smaller saddle bag on my bike with a multi-tool and flat kit. The larger saddle bag that you are using looks like a great alternative for anyone who may not have braze-ons for a rack or simply wants to avoid a rack. How easy are those to get on and off?