Commuting on road bike - pannier options....

terrydel

I've a giant defy 1 (2013) and am thinking of doing a couple of days commuting etc week from next month onwards, mostly as a way of keeping a bit of mileage up over the winter. I wont be buying a new bike for commuting, so looking at a pannier or rack option that allows me to carry a change of clothes, my lunch a few other bits and pieces etc. I dont want to be using a backpack as I dont think itll do my back and neck any favours.

Saw something like this, that connects to the seat post only, and thinking its possibly the best option, as I an take it off easily at the weekend if I want to go out for a proper spin.
xlc-alu-rp-r06-seatpost-bag-rack-6935
Thinking that I could bungee cord a waterproof bag onto this and away I go, and it would be better than a more permanent solution of a full pannier rack.
Thoughts and alternatives appreciated.

07Lapierre

Try and travel as light as possible... Can you leave clothes in work?

what about cycling 4 days a week and use the 5th day to bring clothes into work?

veganrun

Some guys in my place seem to cycle in then change/shower when they get into the office then change before cycling home in the evenings. Not sure when they bring their clothes in but they don't seem to carry huge backpacks.

JMcL

veganrun wrote: »

Some guys in my place seem to cycle in then change/shower when they get into the office then change before cycling home in the evenings. Not sure when they bring their clothes in but they don't seem to carry huge backpacks.

Pretty much what I do. I usually work it that I take in clothes when I drive to leave in the office so the backpack doesn't need to be full to bursting - just lunch, rain gear etc. TBH wearing a backpack has never bothered me that much (14km reasonably hilly each way commute) - my advice would be to get one that has a frame to allow a bit of airflow round your back to prevent sweating

terrydel

07Lapierre wrote: »

Try and travel as light as possible... Can you leave clothes in work?

what about cycling 4 days a week and use the 5th day to bring clothes into work?

veganrun wrote: »

Some guys in my place seem to cycle in then change/shower when they get into the office then change before cycling home in the evenings. Not sure when they bring their clothes in but they don't seem to carry huge backpacks.

No showers at my place of work unfortunately, its a 24-25km cycle, mostly backroads and majority downhill on the way in, dont care about the way home.
Id be looking to maybe leave clothes Monday when heading home then cycle in tuesday, use those clothes, drive in wednesday and do the same and cycle in thursday, that type of deal. So when cycling in Id be carry my lunch, change of cycling tops, maybe spare gloves and a towel and some smellies to make myself presentable!

07Lapierre

terrydel wrote: »

No showers at my place of work unfortunately, its a 24-25km cycle, mostly backroads and majority downhill on the way in, dont care about the way home.
Id be looking to maybe leave clothes Monday when heading home then cycle in tuesday, use those clothes, drive in wednesday and do the same and cycle in thursday, that type of deal. So when cycling in Id be carry my lunch, change of cycling tops, maybe spare gloves and a towel and some smellies to make myself presentable!

Why carry these items? leave them in work when you drop your clothes in on Monday?
my commute is 25k each way. No shower at work and it's fine. AS for your lunch..buy lunch each day using the money you save on Petrol.

terrydel

07Lapierre wrote: »

Why carry these items? leave them in work when you drop your clothes in on Monday?
my commute is 25k each way. No shower at work and it's fine. AS for your lunch..buy lunch each day using the money you save on Petrol.

missus is a good cook and shed be offended if I started buying lunch :eek:
Anyway, nothing close by the get a lunch from, its a weird place this!

07Lapierre

terrydel wrote: »

missus is a good cook and shed be offended if I started buying lunch :eek:
Anyway, nothing close by the get a lunch from, its a weird place this!

Ok then..the carrier you linked to in your OP is fine for light loads. Use it to carry your lunch. Everything else should be either at work, at home, or wearable.

other option is a seatpost bag - 6 to 7 litre size.

Annie get your Run

glasso wrote: »

other option is a seatpost bag - 6 to 7 litre size.

Something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XDBPT3N/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=PK4MK1NTNW1W&coliid=I3CJMSI9T3LT4O

I use a backpack but was browsing options for a frame bag to replace my saddle bag and I came across this. Am considering purchasing to replace my backpack now, it looks like a brilliant option for anyone not wanting to fix panniers or use a back pack.

Chuchote

If they're not all gone, Lidl had nice cheap panniers this week.

Of course you need your lunch!

Annie get your Run

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XDBPT3N/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=PK4MK1NTNW1W&coliid=I3CJMSI9T3LT4O

I use a backpack but was browsing options for a frame bag to replace my saddle bag and I came across this. Am considering purchasing to replace my backpack now, it looks like a brilliant option for anyone not wanting to fix panniers or use a back pack.

no, seat post bag.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roswheel-Waterproof-Bike-Pannier-Bags/dp/B07319L6DC/ref=cts_sp_2_vtp?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=1212178027&pf_rd_r=CS7VXRAFRXZVVR165STJ&pd_rd_wg=SZ7Ou&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B07319L6DC&pd_rd_w=5DIkf&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=CS7VXRAFRXZVVR165STJ&_encoding=UTF8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Biking-Outdoor-Bicycle-Reflective/dp/B01JUL8WW2/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1504691703&sr=8-16&keywords=seat+post+bag

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lixada-Waterproof-Bicycle-Mountain-Adjustable/dp/B071ZZ6K8J/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1504691703&sr=8-6&keywords=seat+post+bag

advantage of a seat post bag is that it's out of your way behind you.

cdaly_

terrydel wrote: »

Saw something like this, that connects to the seat post only, and thinking its possibly the best option, as I an take it off easily at the weekend if I want to go out for a proper spin.

I find that my full rack doesn't get in the way on a proper spin and it doesn't wobble from side to side on my seatpost.

terrydel

glasso wrote: »

no, seat post bag.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roswheel-Waterproof-Bike-Pannier-Bags/dp/B07319L6DC/ref=cts_sp_2_vtp?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=1212178027&pf_rd_r=CS7VXRAFRXZVVR165STJ&pd_rd_wg=SZ7Ou&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B07319L6DC&pd_rd_w=5DIkf&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=CS7VXRAFRXZVVR165STJ&_encoding=UTF8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Biking-Outdoor-Bicycle-Reflective/dp/B01JUL8WW2/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1504691703&sr=8-16&keywords=seat+post+bag

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lixada-Waterproof-Bicycle-Mountain-Adjustable/dp/B071ZZ6K8J/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1504691703&sr=8-6&keywords=seat+post+bag

advantage of a seat post bag is that it's out of your way behind you.

Went ahead and got the West Biking option - https://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Biking-Outdoor-Bicycle-Reflective/dp/B01JUL8WW2/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1504691703&sr=8-16&keywords=seat+post+bag
Looks pretty good and a decent price, will see how I get on with that anyway, when I start next month. Should carry everything that I need to bring on the day, the rest will be left in work.
Thanks for all the tips folks.

Chuchote

terrydel wrote: »

Went ahead and got the West Biking option - https://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Biking-Outdoor-Bicycle-Reflective/dp/B01JUL8WW2/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1504691703&sr=8-16&keywords=seat+post+bag
Looks pretty good and a decent price, will see how I get on with that anyway, when I start next month. Should carry everything that I need to bring on the day, the rest will be left in work.
Thanks for all the tips folks.

Hm. A bit Kardashian.

SmartinMartin

Afair giant do a specific rack for the defy. I think Halfords have a cheaper version too.