Alternatives to a Rear Rack? Courier Bag? Large Backpack
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
Alternatives to a Rear Rack? Courier Bag? Large Backpack
Anyone commute and bring their stuff in a large sling-type courier bag? I was thinking about getting something like that for gym trips and light grocery shopping. A standard size book-bag type backpack is too small for what I want. Are there any other ideas that are NOT a rear rack?
Likes For LifeNovice1:
#3
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times
in
1,366 Posts
People use lots of kinds of bags. Backpacks and messenger bags for grownups come in every size, but I think most of us are carrying bags to match our laptops. When we opt for luggage it's usually because they have found a backpack to be too sweaty and a messenger bag unstable. I'm fine with a backpack and it's what I use right now, but I've used other things before and will in the future.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-17-21 at 01:38 PM.
Likes For Darth Lefty:
#4
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times
in
1,439 Posts
I've never liked rear racks or panniers, so I accumulated quite a few messenger-style bags over the years I was commuting. I've probably got the whole Timbuk-2 catalog and most of Chrome's offerings. Between roll-tops, handlebar bags, pizza racks, and frame bags, there have never been more alternatives to kludgy rear racks than right now.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,842
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times
in
1,192 Posts
I've never liked rear racks or panniers, so I accumulated quite a few messenger-style bags over the years I was commuting. I've probably got the whole Timbuk-2 catalog and most of Chrome's offerings. Between roll-tops, handlebar bags, pizza racks, and frame bags, there have never been more alternatives to kludgy rear racks than right now.
Likes For pdlamb:
#7
I like bike
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Merry Land USA
Posts: 662
Bikes: Roubaix Comp 2020
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 267 Post(s)
Liked 283 Times
in
191 Posts
I have used Chrome and Timbuk-2 bags, both are good. The Chrome was the biggest, also I found it easier to keep in place.
I am going in the opposite direction though, I have a lot of stuff in my bag and that plus back problems means I really don't like anything on my back. So I now am back to using panniers like I was 20+ years ago. Free again!
I am going in the opposite direction though, I have a lot of stuff in my bag and that plus back problems means I really don't like anything on my back. So I now am back to using panniers like I was 20+ years ago. Free again!
#8
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,269 Times
in
1,439 Posts
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 226
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
70 Posts
In recent months I've taken the rear racks off two of my bikes and have been using backpacks, even in the hottest months. I have a large collection of them, and they all get used at one time or another. Most are capable of taking a laptop. I've never enjoyed using messenger bags.
I kept a rear rack on one bike however, and that comes in very useful whenever I need to sling on some panniers and/or rackbag for extra capacity.
I don't own a car, so it's good to have options.
I kept a rear rack on one bike however, and that comes in very useful whenever I need to sling on some panniers and/or rackbag for extra capacity.
I don't own a car, so it's good to have options.
Likes For fredlord:
#10
Full Member
#11
Banned.
Thread Starter
"Sackville?" Lmfao...could they come up with a worse name?! How about "Dickbag?". Man the cycling world seems to go out of its way to come up with dorky/gay names for things. I was thinking about "panniers" for my "rear rack" but first I'll need to buy "p-clamps" because I don't have "braze-ons" so maybe I'll buy a "Sackville.". 🤣🤣🤣
But seriously it looks like a good bag. Guess I'll order a "."Sackville"
But seriously it looks like a good bag. Guess I'll order a "."Sackville"
#12
Full Member
They have several sizes, the one I have is discontinued but I think they have another that's similar. Mine fits a 13" laptop nicely.
#13
Senior Member
"Sackville?" Lmfao...could they come up with a worse name?! How about "Dickbag?". Man the cycling world seems to go out of its way to come up with dorky/gay names for things. I was thinking about "panniers" for my "rear rack" but first I'll need to buy "p-clamps" because I don't have "braze-ons" so maybe I'll buy a "Sackville.". 🤣🤣🤣
But seriously it looks like a good bag. Guess I'll order a "."Sackville"
But seriously it looks like a good bag. Guess I'll order a "."Sackville"
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 357 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 136 Times
in
82 Posts
You could also use a front basket. They come in a wide range of sizes and prices. My vote is for Wald. Bomb proof and last forever. Anyone else out there use some sort of basket?
#15
Senior Member
I only use bags. Never racks. Over the last 10+ years my fall/winter/spring evolution has been:
chrome metropolis
bagaboo workhorse xl with extra strap
trashbags garbage truck
in the summer I’m all about that Ortlieb backpack. The closed cell ventilations pads are the winner. The Commuter line with no padding in the straps soaks up no sweat. I also recently got the Ortlieb messenger backpack for bigger summer loads and it’s great too. Although I’m not a fan of the velcro closure. The hook on the commuter is much better.
chrome metropolis
bagaboo workhorse xl with extra strap
trashbags garbage truck
in the summer I’m all about that Ortlieb backpack. The closed cell ventilations pads are the winner. The Commuter line with no padding in the straps soaks up no sweat. I also recently got the Ortlieb messenger backpack for bigger summer loads and it’s great too. Although I’m not a fan of the velcro closure. The hook on the commuter is much better.
#16
Miles to Go
Rivendell is a valley in Lord of the Rings, "Sackville" is also place from Lord of the Rings... as in the "Sackville Bagginsies"
"Sackville?" Lmfao...could they come up with a worse name?! How about "Dickbag?". Man the cycling world seems to go out of its way to come up with dorky/gay names for things. I was thinking about "panniers" for my "rear rack" but first I'll need to buy "p-clamps" because I don't have "braze-ons" so maybe I'll buy a "Sackville.". 🤣🤣🤣
But seriously it looks like a good bag. Guess I'll order a "."Sackville"
But seriously it looks like a good bag. Guess I'll order a "."Sackville"
#17
Miles to Go
Here is another bag. This one is the Banjo Bros Minnehana. It is intended to be used as a seat bag, but works just as well as a handlebar bag. It is at a lower price-point than most seat bags, $60.
Unless you have fenders, one thing to keep in mind is droop onto the wheel.
Unless you have fenders, one thing to keep in mind is droop onto the wheel.
Last edited by timdow; 05-21-21 at 08:17 AM.
#18
Banned.
Thread Starter
I only use bags. Never racks. Over the last 10+ years my fall/winter/spring evolution has been:
chrome metropolis
bagaboo workhorse xl with extra strap
trashbags garbage truck
in the summer I’m all about that Ortlieb backpack. The closed cell ventilations pads are the winner. The Commuter line with no padding in the straps soaks up no sweat. I also recently got the Ortlieb messenger backpack for bigger summer loads and it’s great too. Although I’m not a fan of the velcro closure. The hook on the commuter is much better.
chrome metropolis
bagaboo workhorse xl with extra strap
trashbags garbage truck
in the summer I’m all about that Ortlieb backpack. The closed cell ventilations pads are the winner. The Commuter line with no padding in the straps soaks up no sweat. I also recently got the Ortlieb messenger backpack for bigger summer loads and it’s great too. Although I’m not a fan of the velcro closure. The hook on the commuter is much better.
#19
Senior Member
the trashbag is even more expensive but it’s the most amazingly comfortable-on-the-bike bag that I’ve experienced. I really can’t explain it. When I picked it up from the shop I took my normal backpack off, shoved it into the trashbag, and when I put the bag on my back I felt like it was pulling me backwards. But when I got on the bike, that bag is perfectly balanced and weighted. Really amazing design.
I have a Cetma 5 rail rack on a bike and it works pretty great. It all depends on how heavy your loads are and how rough you ride. I rode a table saw on that front rack.
but I just looked up that rack and see that it’s currently retailing for more than I’ve paid for some complete bikes. But I got mine used. But I live in a biking city.
#21
Junior Member
I have a Cetma 5 rail rack on a bike and it works pretty great. It all depends on how heavy your loads are and how rough you ride. I rode a table saw on that front rack.
but I just looked up that rack and see that it’s currently retailing for more than I’ve paid for some complete bikes. But I got mine used. But I live in a biking city.
but I just looked up that rack and see that it’s currently retailing for more than I’ve paid for some complete bikes. But I got mine used. But I live in a biking city.
Wald makes a bunch of baskets, including one that's functionally pretty much the same as the Cetna you mention. The Wald basket is bigger. It looks more useful to me, but YMMV, obviously.
https://waldsports.com/store/front-b...it-front-rack/
It's quite a bit cheaper.
Last edited by Inisfallen; 05-29-21 at 08:44 AM. Reason: Correct typo