26
votes
Bag for holding valuables on bike while parked?
Leaving valuables on the bike sounds like a very bad idea. Bike luggage just isn't going to be robust enough to resist theft if left unattended, and the whole bike itself may be vulnerable to theft.
...
- 75.5k
22
votes
Accepted
Bike seems less stable when using handlebar bag
Yes, the bag can cause the instability. The physics is quite simple.
Ordinarily, a bike is self-stabilizing. If you turn the handlebars to the left, you steer to the left and the bike leans to the ...
- 17k
17
votes
Bike seems less stable when using handlebar bag
That's fairly normal behavior. You point out that you got used to it, but couldn't "trust the bike". It's a very similar scenario to moving to a new bike with much different geometry and not ...
- 9,938
12
votes
Accepted
How can I fix the hook of a weather proof pannier?
I just used a 5mm bolt with locking nut, and a ~15mm wide washer on the inside when this happened to my Ortleib. If you use stainless steel bolt, nut and washers it won't rust and the pressure against ...
- 23.3k
11
votes
How does one carry multiple bike bags once off the bike?
There's no magical solution: if you want to take to be able to take everything out of the bike, the solution is to choose bags that can be easily removed and to have as few bags as possible. Or to ...
- 17.6k
10
votes
Bike seems less stable when using handlebar bag
Yes. Don't use a handlebar bag if it affects your bike's handling that badly.
Perhaps your frame is just not suitable for a handlebar bag - normally a fork with a lot of trail (ie a stable touring ...
- 121k
9
votes
Accepted
What are velcro alternatives for frame mounted bag?
I do not know of any commercially available products alternative to velcro, but I'm a DIY-er, And have successfully mounted some accessories to the frame and handlebars using hose clamps.
Their ...
- 12.4k
8
votes
What are velcro alternatives for frame mounted bag?
One possibility for what you saw is bag attachment bolts. Much like bottle bosses and rack attachment points, they are part of the frame.
One interesting non-velcro option was what appeared to be a ...
- 918
8
votes
Accepted
Protection against saddlebag straps
There are several things that I can imagine to achieve what you want.
Use frame bags that have "grippy" straps, such as those with silicone strips or similar. This should suffice unless you ...
- 14.4k
8
votes
Accepted
Back-free way to carry laptop
I commute with a laptop, and I settled on using a front rack and basket. The front rack provides a flat platform which I can put any sort of bag or container into. It also lets me push the extra ...
- 186
8
votes
How does one carry multiple bike bags once off the bike?
When I have to carry multiple panniers, I put a strap on each and carry them messenger bag style with the straps across my body. I've had 3 like that before; the 4th that time was a backpack pannier - ...
- 57.2k
7
votes
Bag for holding valuables on bike while parked?
safely locked to the frame, and I can simply leave it there.
Summary
To answer your question about the existence of locking bags - they are out there. As an example (not a recommendation) Ortlieb ...
- 20.6k
7
votes
What are velcro alternatives for frame mounted bag?
Much thinner (so less obvious) and less prone to rubbing than velcro straps are cable ties (zip ties). You can get a range of colours but in black or white you can also buy releasable ones that allow ...
- 57.2k
7
votes
Back-free way to carry laptop
My experience with carrying stuff on the bike is that:
You don't want to use a backpack. The problem is that they cover the entire back, meaning your back gets very sweaty.
Messenger bags don't cover ...
- 18k
7
votes
Back-free way to carry laptop
I never found a good solution for this problem. One of the better than worst options is to search for a 'hiking knapsack'.
You will not get the weight off of your shoulders, but the ventilation will ...
- 8,940
6
votes
Bike travel bags, hard cases, and homemade bags
If you travel regularly, buy a decent, high quality hard shell or accept your bike will be damaged. Even with the very best case, your bike could be damaged - either accept it as a cost of travel, or ...
- 49k
6
votes
Bag for holding valuables on bike while parked?
This is a major reason for me to wear bike jerseys for commuting - all those things go in my back pockets. (Ideally) zipped trouser pockets are another option, though jeans pockets are usually secure ...
- 57.2k
6
votes
Back-free way to carry laptop
A 16" laptop you’ll either have to carry on your back or in panniers (or in a cargo bike or trailer). Frame bags, saddle bags, handlebar bags etc. are all too small.
A rear rack can weigh as ...
- 26k
6
votes
Back-free way to carry laptop
You could use a a messenger bag as a "frame bag" by folding the top flap/lid over the top tube and positioning the bag in the frame.
I sometimes do this on my Merida Speeder 200 with a large ...
- 2,266
5
votes
Bag for holding valuables on bike while parked?
Unfortunately I think the answer to "Do you know any bag that could work for me?" is no, if you want to leave it on the bike. I don't know of any bag that would be impervious to a quick slice with a ...
- 16.2k
5
votes
Backpack size - 10L vs 14L
Alternative suggestion - don't take a pack. They make your back hot and sweaty and raise your center of mass.
Instead I carry two water bottles, so 1.5 L of liquid, enough for ~3 hours of normal ...
- 121k
5
votes
Accepted
Rubber washer in camelback Antidote Reservoir 1.5L
There's nothing complicated about how it fits. Here's my cap seal for reference.
- 809
5
votes
Will wearing a backpack on my chest make any difference on my health?
I am not aware that wearing a backpack is bad for your back when cycling. I've been doing it every weekday for the past 8 months without ill effect. Perhaps if the backpack is very heavily loaded it's ...
- 29.2k
5
votes
Protection against saddlebag straps
You can get packs of frame protection tape such as this one:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/bike-shield-full-pack-oversize-frame-protection-set
Some bike shops also offer fitting this type of kit as a ...
- 18.3k
5
votes
How does one carry multiple bike bags once off the bike?
Most people who use frame bags and top-tube bags leave them on the bike.
There's usually a way to clip a shoulder strap onto a (large) saddlebag and/or handlebar bag. Bar bags are sometimes sold with ...
- 29.2k
4
votes
Record Bags for Bikes
You could also buy a pizza delivery bag and bungee strap it to a front or rear rack. Or modify the bag yourself to attach to a pannier by stitching some hooks or loops of Velcro to the sides.
Most ...
- 9,189
4
votes
Bag for holding valuables on bike while parked?
I have seen a lockable hard-shell case that mounts to a rear rack, but it's a specialized item and I'm not sure where I would find it.
There are handlebar bags that have quick-connect mounts so they'...
- 29.2k
4
votes
What are velcro alternatives for frame mounted bag?
Can you sew? Its possible to make up a custom frame bag for your bike using relatively simple box-construction techniques. The ones I've made have been triangular and sit at the front of the main ...
- 121k
3
votes
3
votes
What bag should I buy first for my gravel-touring kind of bike?
For one day you are often fine with your jersey pockets and a small saddle bag. If needing more I would:
increase the saddle bag
and/or
add another small bag above the top tube behind your stem.
...
- 16.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible