29
votes
Accepted
How can I attach a set of five panniers?
The top pair should attach to a rack on the front fork legs. The middle pair is for the rear, and the slope on the backing plate is to provide heel clearance. The fifth bag looks like it should mount ...
- 1,488
27
votes
Is laptop safe in pannier bag during commute?
Start by checking with your employer about your personal liability if the device is damaged while in your possession. Mine tried to make a former coworker claim on his home insurance when his work-...
- 114k
20
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
I avoid backpacks where possible
1) Sweat - I get damp enough wearing just a cycling top. Putting anything else on top makes it much worse.
2) Crashing - Occasionally I have carried a toolbox in a ...
- 114k
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 ...
- 23.2k
12
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
Weight on the bike is easier to manage than weight on your body. The bike will handle a bit differently, but you'll quickly get used to it.
If all you use the bike for is commuting, you should get ...
- 5,640
12
votes
Is laptop safe in pannier bag during commute?
I commute by bike to work for 6+ years. I have always been taking my work laptop with me in the pannier, together with lunch box, a can of spray deodorant, my work attire (I commute in jumpsuit and ...
- 6,953
11
votes
Can I mount a rack on eyelets that aren't horizontal?
Just an idea: V-brakes shoes typically come with "cups and cones" (the aluminium parts between the shoe itself and the nut in the picture below), to allow a correction of the alignment. Not ...
- 13.6k
9
votes
Safest way to carry luggage on my carbon frame?
The safest way to carry luggage on a carbon frame is to use a trailer, like the BOB trailers.
Carbon frames are very strong, but each area of the frame is designed and tested for the loads it ...
- 29.7k
8
votes
Accepted
How to secure and transport panniers when on foot during a bike trip
I use two different strategies for the short and long absences.
visiting a city by foot
When I'll be away from the bike for a long time I take the valuable stuff (cash, id, small tool kit, phone, ...
- 23.2k
8
votes
Accepted
How to repair ripped Ortlieb pannier
If its under the Ortlieb five year warrantee or you want it professionally done, send it back to them: https://www.ortlieb.com/en/service/garantie/
Locally, a local mountain shop, seamstress/tailor, ...
- 28.8k
7
votes
How to secure and transport panniers when on foot during a bike trip
I doubt you will find any way of making the bike secure enough to leave alone for hours on end. Perhaps you could somehow fit solid motorbike panniers, but they would be awfully heavy and ...
- 548
7
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
Weight on your body takes additional energy to carry, but it's also easier to move dynamically (it moves with your body and doesn't change the feel of the bike). I have always used and preferred ...
- 9,908
7
votes
Accepted
Why are most commuting panniers designed as shoulder bags and not backpacks?
They exist, but they're hard to find in real life, probably because the market is small. All the ones I've looked into would take a large laptop, but I've only tested with little netbooks. There's at ...
- 52.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Options for carrying a smart briefcase on a bike (pannier or otherwise)
Depending on the thickness of your briefcase it may be a solution to hang it under the frame in the main triangle (if it fits there) but since you are thinking about a folding bike it is not a ...
- 4,241
7
votes
Is laptop safe in pannier bag during commute?
Others have noted that it depends on the laptop, pannier, and specifics of the accident, but I'll also note that how safe it is depends on where and how you bike. It sounds like you regularly commute ...
- 599
6
votes
What's the maximum size for low-rider bags?
Starting this year I have been front loading two panniers on my commuter, with a reasonably large load (laptop, papers and project books, clothing (work and change) and food). For what I have learned ...
- 30.2k
6
votes
How to carry a large backpack on a bike rack?
I too had this problem and found a somewhat unique solution. I explored using a pannier, but since I carry a laptop daily, I was worried about what would happen if the bike slipped on the ice and ...
- 598
6
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
I'm Dutch, thus when I went to high school I had to commute for about 20 km/1 hour for a single trip. Since it was high school and some days I really had a large and heavy pack. Carrying it alone in ...
- 61
6
votes
Why are most commuting panniers designed as shoulder bags and not backpacks?
The main reason is that the backpack straps and the pannier hardware are in the same place, meaning that the straps get in the way of fixing the pannier to the bike, and then you need to have a panel ...
- 161
6
votes
Improve survivability of bicycle container
The traditional solution on bicycles is metal wire basket. Metal is tougher than plastic and mesh instead of sheet metal makes it lightweight enough.
If you need something waterproof, put your ...
- 21.2k
6
votes
Why don't couriers use rear racks?
A big reason to use panniers around town is that it keeps you from getting a sweaty back on a commute. If you're dashing around a city all day couriering you'll get sweaty with our without a backpack, ...
- 52.8k
6
votes
Seatpost mounted luggage rack on carbon frame
For the sake of argument, let's suppose you weigh 70 kg, and 60% of your weight is being carried directly over the seatpost (the rest being on your hands). Let's further suppose that you have 10 kg of ...
- 27.4k
6
votes
Can I install a disc-brake pannier rack on a bike with V-brakes?
Disc rack isn't an exact term. It means the rack will probably be a bit wider and make some effort to clear a disc fitted to the rear hub.
Disc model arms are brought on so the rack supports will be ...
- 4,140
6
votes
Accepted
(How) can a pannier rack mount on the Specialized Diverge Elite E5?
They are fender mounts. A bridge is connected to those mounts, and an L-bracket connects the bridge to the fender.
As for pannier rack, there are fenders that carry lightweight panniers, such as Hebie ...
- 16k
6
votes
(How) can a pannier rack mount on the Specialized Diverge Elite E5?
Quoting this website from Specialized:
To keep the frame as streamlined as possible, the rack's upper mounts attach to a specially designed seatpost collar that is included with all non-EVO bikes (...
- 14.2k
5
votes
Safest way to carry luggage on my carbon frame?
After some thought, your only options are
1) Backpack - hot and sweaty, not particularly large and affects your posture. I've ridden with a tramping (hiking) pack to move my toolkit about, and its ...
- 114k
5
votes
Would a backpack or cargo rack be better for commuting?
tl;dr: Yes, cargo on the rack will affect the ride and the feeling. Your body comfort won't be affected at all. Riding with backpack will reduce your comfort but it won't affect the feeling of the ...
- 569
5
votes
Accepted
Front panniers for 15 inch laptop
I tried a number of front loading setups for an AWOL with a 15 inch laptop (same model). I could only ever get the laptop to fit in front Ortlieb rollers only with minimal protection on the laptop (e....
- 30.2k
5
votes
Accepted
Rear pannier bags on touring mountain bike
One issue is heel clearance. You can normally sort this out but not with large panniers especially with big feet.
A bigger issue is fitting a rack. Your options are very limited if you have rear ...
- 52.8k
5
votes
Why do rear pannier racks have a raised "nose"?
I think you are correct that it’s only to prevent items from sliding forward and falling off or colliding with your legs/hips. This is only really important if you use the spring loaded clamp. A lot ...
- 25.2k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible