New rack and bag used today

[Moby Jones]

I bought a topeak rack and bag and used them for the first time today. They have plenty of room and i managed to get loads of stuff into work today. Its so much better than having a heavy backpack on. I took some photos of my pride and joy

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/50468600/2/Bike/Rack & Bag?h=0a841d

 

[2Loose]

Been using my panniered bike for a couple of weeks now, despite the bike being a little slower, not having a rucksack on my back has its own advantages. Certainly easier to keep my shirt and trousers crumple free.

Saying that, this nice weather may mean the roadie is out tomorrow.

 

[Moby Jones]

It feels sooo much slower than my road bike but it will be my workhorse during the winter

 

[Sara_H]

I've used panniers for commuting for years, I couldn't stand having a sweaty back!

But then I do about 4 -5 five miles each way and have never been very speedy anyway!

 

[Orange]

I bought a topeak rack and bag and used them for the first time today. They have plenty of room and i managed to get loads of stuff into work today. Its so much better than having a heavy backpack on. I took some photos of my pride and joy

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/50468600/2/Bike/Rack & Bag?h=0a841d

Did the same just last week - so good not to have a sweaty rucksack on. My Avenir rack-bag easily fits in my lunch-box, work shirt, trousers and shoes, socks and underwear, towel and hairbrush, phone, wallet, pump, spare inner tube, puncture repair kit, work pass, various poly bags.

 

[fossyant]

Got the same rack an panniers. One word of advice, get the waterproof cover and you will be sorted.

 

[MattHB]

I love my panniers, but they act as a lovely air-brake in headwinds!!

 

[Moby Jones]

Got the same rack an panniers. One word of advice, get the waterproof cover and you will be sorted.

I realised I will have to pick the cover up this morning, just need to find the cheapest place to get it

 

[fossyant]

Believe it or not - Halfords on-line was cheapest for me 2 years ago !

 

[Moby Jones]

Believe it or not - Halfords on-line was cheapest for me 2 years ago !

Thanks for the tip, i have ordered a cover from Halfords online, it was only £14 with free delivery.

 

[marshmella]

That looks really useful, i've been pondering whether to have a rack bag for some time, currently i just strap my sandwich box and bits and pieces to the rack.
p.s did you have a new camera for Christmas aswell ?

 

[Wafu]

I've used panniers for about a year now. I just hate rucksacks making me sweaty on a commute to work.

Going to be a bit of a pain having to train for a 35 mile charity ride with a rucksack mind, Help for Heroes are insistent on their ban of pannier bags

 

[thnurg]

+1 for the topeak beam rack and bag system, I love mine and use it for my commute.
While I prefer the bag to a ruck sack, when I did the Trossachs Ton last year I wanted the bike to be as light as possible, so off came the beam rack. My wife has a camel back rucksack so I wore that for the ride and found I was able to carry a spare tube, tyre levers, pump, light jacket and a couple of snickers as well as having enough water in the bag and it did not feel uncomfortable. This also meant I could remove the bike's bottle cage. If you can get one of these for your 35 miler you'll be golden.

 

[Dan_h]

I've used panniers for about a year now. I just hate rucksacks making me sweaty on a commute to work.

Going to be a bit of a pain having to train for a 35 mile charity ride with a rucksack mind, Help for Heroes are insistent on their ban of pannier bags

Don't take a rucksack, anything that wont fit in the back pockets of a cycling jersey is not required anyway! When I did my first Audax I thought I needed to take loads of stuff with me so took a pack loaded with everything I could think of. I rode 140km that day. After the first 50 or 60 I realised my mistake!

These days a spare tube, puncture kit, lightweight jacket or Gilet, energy bars, CO2 trigger and cartridges and a credit card (just in case!) go into the jersey pockets and that will cover most eventualities.

 

[G-Zero]

I took the bike to my LBS yesterday and had a rack fitted for the same reason (sick of the rucsac).

I didn't think the packs were big enough so ended up buying a waterproof Altura Nightvision pannier, which has a one click release, perfect for the other end.

Last night's commute was much more comfortable as a result.