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    Challenge: Bike bag for when the bike room is a long block from work and you have a lot of stuff and you’re kind of going for an aesthetic – maybe it can’t be done?


    I’m so excited to be able to ride to my new job. My life is considerably better when I bike daily. My challenge: I need to carry a lot of shit and my bike room is not in the building where I work, so I’ll need a way to get to the office without feeling like a bag lady. I hate arriving to work and not feeling together.

    My cargo will include: Two insulated bottles for water and coffee, a 4×6 glass container for my lunch, a change of clothes and shoes, and some hygiene stuff for showering at work (which… I’m a woman with long hair, so it’s not just a tiny bag).

    I think I need a trunk bag/rack pack? I think I need around 30L. I don’t know if carrying two panniers will be great. I’m at a loss. I’ve been going back and forth between Ortlieb and Ilequipment. Also I don’t wanna use a front rack – I prefer the weight in the rear of the bike.

    And the final wrinkle: I just put a new leather saddle and grip tape on my bike – I’ve been wanting the aesthetic to be more urban commuter than 100% waterproof bike packer . Also it rains so infrequently where I live in semi arid desert. So I was hoping for canvas or a performance material that isn’t shiny, and is at worst black but ideally brown or dark navy. Something that’ll look sharp on a dark grey gravel frame with nice leather accents.

    I love this one but I won’t use a front rack: https://ilequipment.com/products/velo-orange-pass-stow-rackbag?variant=487115177&

    This one seems like a more likely fit for my needs but I don’t like the material or color ways: https://www.campfirecycling.com/product/ortlieb-rack-pack-medium-p-1037.html

    So, to summarize criteria:
    – A single bag to carry
    – around 30L
    – not super sporty in its look which takes bikepacking bags off the table
    – uses my existing rear rack

    It can’t be done, right? I just need to suck it up and get a shiny bag?

    by die_hubsche

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    17 Comments

    1. kozufox on

      I feel like the 1st bag could totally be strapped long-ways onto a rear rack, if the rack is wide enough.

    2. bbspiders on

      Not sure if this will fit your aesthetic preferences, but I have this [Green Guru Pannier](https://www.greengurugear.com/products/freerider-31l-pannier?variant=44227084615916&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22847742648&gbraid=0AAAAADmM4O_AqaPdyv9KmhiBkWqOu25nF&gclid=CjwKCAjwpefSBhBvEiwAzyEtZyKTVdBtVTHpO3h22JlJla0PH687bsj0fmmChbOUNazm2L3wVTUibRoCQZ8QAvD_BwEthat) that stays on the bike and you can put any backpack you want in it.

    3. Vomath on

      Ortlieb Vario?

      If you have to carry a ton of stuff, schlepping a regular pannier sucks, even with the shoulder strap. Backpack will be a nice option. Doesn’t look too bikepacky, comes in several colors. Reliable brand.

    4. BicycleIndividual on

      Lunch and bottles should be easy to carry from bike room to office. For the rest of the stuff, storage near the bike would make more sense.

    5. anewfriend4u on

      I just attached a wire basket on the rear rack. Then you can use bags you like to carry without regard to it being bike specific. I just pop a backpack, locks, and anything else in it. And shopping trips, no problem. Here’s a pic of a decent load. Yes, that’s a case of water, bag of flour, cereal, two 6 packs of soda, and a full backpack.

      https://preview.redd.it/qxiojasowtdh1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc26a140338582317b4ae46571ec322bb68efbf2

    7. skadetvasasvart on

      For a classic look check out Berthoud Cycles panniers, they’re not cheap though. Carradice also has some classic style options. They’re 32 l/pair.

    9. errantwit on

      An aesthetic? A Fred aesthetic, I imagine.

      I have an Osprey cycling specific backpack (edit: Osprey Radial 34) that meets all your criteria plus a built-in rain cover….. It looks like they no longer make it, sadly. But there are similar newer models.

      They aren’t cheap.

      I’d recommend a trunk bag for stuff you need for the bike (if locking bike in secure area) & backpack for commuting for stuff for changing into/out of, lunch, etc.

      The standard Ortlieb panniers would be a second option. I prefer not having stuff on my back while riding and they panniers are easily removed, water proof, & have shoulder straps.

      Front baskets are fun/useful for short trips but can be awkward.

    11. LghtlyHmmrd on

      I have pannier fold up baskets – just pop whatever bag/backpack I need into it and grab and go when I arrive.

    13. mellofello808 on

      I cannot vouch for this brnd, but I was looking at a bag on Ali that fits your description perfectly

      [Ali Canvas Pannier](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256812145498054.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=248-630-5778&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256812145498054&ds_e_product_merchant_id=5750860646&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=22974300163&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22970182241&gbraid=0AAAAACWaBwcXJEjU60J9epkHP3N-sWtbr&gclid=CjwKCAjwpefSBhBvEiwAzyEtZxb8w0YflzuVY6inCPo1OpQn0dgi-ajpnvE5H8Tdk9G4_2fPM6R5HRoC0LUQAvD_BwE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa)

      If you do get it, please let us know if it works out

    14. frrve on

      I keep most of my work shoes in the office, if that is an option for you. I have the Vario and really like it. I will carry to work events but YMMV.

    15. JeremyFromKenosha on

      How about this Ortlieb?
      [https://us.ortlieb.com/products/up-town-rack?variant=45082312048818](https://us.ortlieb.com/products/up-town-rack?variant=45082312048818)

      It latches to a rack, is not shiny, looks to be big enough for what you describe, although it is only 17.5 L. It would look good in the Pepper or Rooibos color.

      Re. the rack back you mentioned in your original post from Ortlieb, I think it would look good on your bike in red or yellow. A side benefit of the shiny rubber waterproof roll top bags is an extra bit of visibility in traffic, which you seem to lack now, with a gray bike.

      Lastly, don’t discount a front bag too easily, even if it’s not rack-mounted. A medium size handlebar bag is very handy, as you can get into it without having to dismount your bike. They’re fine as long as you don’t load them heavily.

    17. SixFeet-CloserToHell on

      I carried a similar amount of stuff in my PDW tubular front basket/bag combo thing.. it’s much lighter than stainless Wald stuff. And I personally much prefer the feeling of “pushing” my load rather than pulling it.

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