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Thanks for the info! Running a carradice with the sqr block now but as I don't have to carry the laptop anymore it's way too big and saggy.
Work clothes, don't mather that much, I just roll them up now and they are pretty decent while arriving at work.
Jup, so the restrap seemed handy for the rain gear as it had bungy cords on which I could hang the jacket.
front rack and panniers seem sturdier and less swingy tho. It's my commuting/tourer/winter bike so I guess the front rack wouldn't slow me down that much as I'm already slow :p
Goddamn instagram and all the bikepacking hype.
mtsdw-
Just get a smaller carradice.
It's a real shame they discontinued the Glentress. I have one and it's ideal commuting size
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Goddamn instagram and all the bikepacking hype.
Says everyone who tried bikepacking for commuting ever
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In this case I’d go with like a randoneur/racktop bag, much more useful space, I’ve used my restrap dry bag for commuting occasionally and it’s doesnt work year round, you can just aboutfit a rolled up t-shirt, jeans and some squashed shoes (something low profile like vans or converse or some nike flynits) you just can’t get a lunch box in with all that.
I’ve never invested in a rack top bag but I know I should, you’d easily fit all that in and if you have some elastic straps /pockets built into it you could easily shove a light rain jacket into that if you need to take it off.
Plus it would still have room for a lock, maybe some light shopping if you happen, boots/heavier weight clothes too for the winter. Most are easy to take off the rack at either end as well.
Restrap make one that looks great actually and works with a quick release mount. Don’t forget there’s a forum discount if you go with restrap!
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When I'm doing a 'fast-and-far' commute I usually go for my apidura frame bag, and roadrunner burrito bar bag, with clothes rolled up. I take food in a small size tupperware that fits in the frame bag, but I keep cupboard-based carb options at work, along with shoes, complete emergency set of clothes, and other similarly overprepped stuff (we've all forgotten underwear at least once though, I'm sure)
My casual-and-direct commute bike has a porteur rack which is very useful but I really notice it in crosswinds
aggi
yoshy
hp93
jackbepablo
Handlebar bags are good for things that can be stuffed and compressed. So clothes and towel and rain gear are good in that regard, although you may find that your work clothes need to be folded and packed carefully or they end up crumpled. A lunch box might be harder to fit.
For rain gear, if your commute is 30 km you may end up taking the jacket on and off? If so the other thing about handlebar bags is that they're a pain to get stuff in and out of quickly.
If I had a bike dedicated to commuting I'd consider front rack and pannier(s). I don't so I prefer the carradice + bagman support approach (the bagman support is quick and easy to get on and off the bike as opposed to the front rack which was a total pain when I tried it)