Been bike commuting for about a year now. Got a convertible backpack pannier – which is cool, but a bit of a pain to convert, and I’ve found myself struggling to fit everything. Then I got a folding basket for the back – which is okay-ish, a little flimsy but does alright. Now I’m considering a front basket or a better rear basket. Maybe ditch the pannier entirely. Put my backpack in a basket? What do you guys do?
https://www.evocycles.co.nz/Product/289388/basil-portland-front-carrier-blackchrome maybe this? Or I’ve heard of pizza racks, better to get one with no sides?
by transcodefailed
14 Comments
Personally I settled on using panniers, but there certainly are multiple sticking points about options available:
* For my work commutes I use Ortlieb Commuter bag urban with QL3.1 locking system. It’s designed to take a laptop and a bit of extra stuff into it. Off the bike it works as a very convenient laptop bag with shoulder strap – critically the QL3.1 system doesn’t have hooks on the side of the bag.
* For transport of larger/bulkier stuff I use a bog standard pannier (Ortlieb Back Roller classic). I put it on the other side of the rack where I don’t have the QL3.1 adapter installed as it has standard QL2.1 mounting hooks.
* I also have a smaller handlebar bag that I use if I need just a small bit of carrying space (like on a few hours long pleasure ride). Or as additional space on top of rear panniers.
* All of the bags listed above are waterproof. In place where I live it does rain every now and then – thus having waterproof luggage is absolutely critical if you want to ride your bike regardless of weather conditions.
* I have longingly looked at front racks, but I’m not convinced by models that attach to the fork as they considerably impact how the bike steers (model you linked is like this!). If I were to buy a new bike today, having frame mounts for rigid front rack (like [this Reise&Muller model](https://www.r-m.de/media/bikes/F01140/10_10_detail.jpg)) would be one of very important requirements.
* Putting a backpack into basket is pretty common and convenient as long as the backpack isn’t heavy. Many baskets, especially without the support bars going down to the fork, will have very pitiful weight limits (like 5-6kg max).
* Reasonably popular alternative is a milk crate or something similar semi-permanently attached to rear rack. That will handle heavier loads as well, but will result in higher center of gravity compared to panniers. Which is mildly annoying.
I think rear panniers are definitely the way to go if you need to transport more stuff than you can fit in a backpack. Would recommend looking for ones with a shoulder strap and somewhere to stash the strap while riding without needing to detach it.
Edit: to clarify, by “stashing the strap” I mean something as simple as throwing the extra length into the bag before closing it. Some zippers and roll top bags can have a problem with this.
I’m doing the backpack in rear basket thing. It’s not ideal. I’m wanting to switch to the 2wheel Gear backpack/pannier at some point. And then stick something on the other side that is cheap/open top to chuck my lunch both and any extra stuff into
I keep grocery panniers on my bike and put my laptop backpack in one of them for commuting.
It doesn’t have to be either/or as different cargo has different needs. Personally, I love my giant wicker basket purchased at a thrift store and zip tied onto my rear rack, but there are rare times I take it off and use some cargo panniers. The basket has a cargo net on top and holds LOTS, two paper American-style grocery bags, and items can lay on top with the net. I also have a flat ‘croissant basket’ up front.
Ortlieb Vario PS.
You won’t regret it. Takes about 5 seconds to convert… on a slow day.
I also found panniers annoying, so now I’ve got a wire basket on a rear rack, with an elastic net on top.
The only downside for me: Heaps of heavy groceries up high is a bit wobbly if I need to walk the bike.
Otherwise it’s defs been the most convenient option for me!
I like panniers. I use one for work and keep a rain poncho, repair kit and pump tucked inside.
I used to use a Wald basket and it was fun for awhile and I took it off, I don’t miss it. Long bike commutes I use two panniers and I have a safe bike storage area.
Basically, the way you carry your stuff should fit your commute and the length.
I was doing 18km each way and no backpack because of sweat.
My current commute is 2km each way and I have a backpack.
Touring, panniers.
I use cool cave panniers it’s like a basket pannier
What are you needing to carry?
Got a few years and ~20K miles in now, and have tried a variety of methods.
For the stuff I always carry on the bike (some tools, spare batteries, straps/nets, small pump, extra tubeless sealant, phone, wallet/keys/etc.) I love using a full triangle frame bag. I can fit a few extras in there, like a rain jacket, and a change of clothes, maybe lunch.
I’ve got the twowheelgear convertible (both backpack and messenger bag), and they are ok. Quality is fine, i just rarely use them, and generally prefer an Ortlieb backroller. The Ortliebs can fit a lot more stuff, and I feel like the waterproofing is a bit more reliable (haven’t had any issues eitherway, just speculation)
I’ve also used baskets/crates on rear racks, and they are great for convenience, and can be super cheap (first commuter had a rack scavenged off of an abandoned bike, and a ~$3 IKEA basket attached using zipties.), but can get awkward/unwieldy if you put much weight in up that high.
I’ve also got a [SURLY front rack](https://surlybikes.com/parts/front_rack) that I’m quite happy with. It’s great for getting donuts or pastries for work, I just have to be careful as a large box in front can obstruct my handle-bar mounted light. (Next bike will have a dynamo light mounted within the rack under the platform)
Also nice for strapping random things down, as it’s in my field of view when riding, so I don’t have to worry about it coming loose or whatever.
As to front racks, I’d lean towards getting one with side pannier rails, just in case you decide you want to carry something on a set of fork panniers, but in all fairness I’ve only done that a couple times. I’d also lean towards getting one with a flat platform, as opposed to one with a fence/rail, as it would make carrying odd-shaped or oversized items easier (like a pizzabox)
I bring groceries home using cloth shopping bags hung from the handlebars. That sometimes includes 4 gallons of drinking water. The trick is to wrap the handles around the bars so the bags don’t dangle and swing. Yes, it’s terrible, but it works better than panniers and the bags are free from the side of the highway.
I love a front basket, and much prefer it to a rear basket or panniers. With your arms directly in control of its weight, it acts like an extension of your body, but with weight on the rear, it’s a counter balance doing the opposite of what you do. Sure, you get used to it, but it’s less in control. Additionally, when you hit the curb or potholes, you can bunny hop the front to lessen the impact.
Only disadvantage of a front basket is included with forks if heavy duty design
I settled with panniers on my main commuter. They hold like 34 liters and I can still put a basket or something on the top of the rear rack if I need. I also have a detachable front basket and cargo trailer that I can use, but the panniers stay on my bike 24/7