chexmix

so i have enough miles on my bike to where i wanna start commuting to work now. Im buying a rack and a rack bag. Any suggestions on a good one. I live in Michigan where the weather can change in 20 minutes so a waterproof one would be nice. I need to wear boots at work so it needs to be a decent size. i have two pair of riding shorts and two jerseys one for each way. i can shower at work. any tips

trekker pete

Store your boots at work if at all possible. That's a lot of weight and they will pretty much fill your panniers.

xtrajack

I second the leave the boots at work thing.

BA Commuter

If storing the boots is not an option, put them in a grocery bag and bungee them to the top of the rack.

I have a Topeak Explorer rack, which works well with the Topeak MTX bags to allow them to be clipped in in seconds.

https://www.topeak.com/products/Bags

TJx

For the ride home yesterday during our downpour I used a trash compactor bag over my Arkel Bug hooked to a Planet Bike Eco Rack. I made 2 holes for rack hooks and 1 for stabilization hook with the open end on bottom, even in the downpour and riding through 6 inches of water along a river underneath a bridge, it stayed surprisingly dry.

P.S. WALK your bike across wet railroad tracks!

Alathea

I have a set of DayTrekker panniers from Nash, and a Sunlite rack. I leave my shave bag at work, and can get away with non-descript runner/cross trainers at work (im in Tech Support/Program Testing) so I can commute in the same shoes I wear. Im considering a pair of MTB shoes though-my laces got caught in one of my aluminum pedals the other morning barreling down a 2 lane main with average speeds (cars) of 35-40 mph.

jubal117

I also use the Topeak Explorer rack on all my bikes. It is so easy to clip them on and off, plus I have 4 different bags that I can use on them so I always have one to fit the ride.

chexmix

Cant leave my boots at work i want to but i get called out to specific places other than my station on my off time sometimes. i only need to bring a few things, my boots (8 inch Danners with a side zip) pants, uniform shirt, and a stethoscope, and a few pocket books. Its not much, do you think i would need panniers for this. I know they are nice to have it just seems like they add a lot of bulk if i could put it all up top.

RI_Swamp_Yankee

A single waterproof pannier might do the trick. Trunk bags (they mount to the top of the rack) may be too small for your boots + uniform. Also, a milk-crate or basket mounted on the rear rack would carry your stuff fairly easily, so long as you kept it all in a plastic bag when it rains.

coldfeet

Umm, 2 pairs? I leave my jeans at work, take them home about once a week to wash, also footwear. All I usually carry daily is a shirt, socks and underwear(*). Of course I also carry enough bike specific clothing to handle 3 different seasons, this is Calgary after all!

You could do it with a top carry, but panniers ease the handling of the bike a little in comparison.

* If you go this route, it's a good idea to also keep one extra set at work, at least the underwear, just in case you forget............

trekker pete

What he ^^^^^ said. break down and buy an extra set. It's a good idea to give your shoes a little breather between wears anyway.

It's not that you can't carry them. It's just that it's a PITA. They don't fold up into panniers very well.

rumrunn6

Buy or make a rack trunk rain cover.
Stock food and clothes at work.
Be prepared to pack home daily laundry such as underwear socks and towel.
Use strobes front and rear.
Wear hi-vis bike specific clothing.
Continue your research here on the forums.

trekker pete

all good advice^^^^^.

One other thing. Keep extra socks at work. I got ambushed by a pretty strong downpour on the way to work one day last week. I actually enjoy this as it cools me off and everything is coming off once I get there anyway..... 'cept socks. Those socks were completely soaked through, so I ended up in my sneakers sockless. Gotta remember to bring in an extra set.