If I already have rear rack and 2 pannier bags, how do I bring a suit/uniforms?

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  • March 9, 2013 at 4:18 pm #964168
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    I’ve been using the Nashbar garment pannier for about 6 weeks and it’s awesome. I did a small write up (with pics) here. If you need your clothes as neat as possible, it’s definitely the best option, but there are lots of how-tos on ways to fold clothes to fit in panniers/backpacks. With the Nashbar garment pannier, I easily carry my suit, belt, toiletries, towel, extra riding gloves, etc..but there really isn’t room for extraneous stuff, like groceries. One day a week I bring in all my breakfasts/lunches for the week, and I have to put it all in a backpack. Not really a huge issue for me, but stopping for some groceries after work is out of the question unless you bring a backpack. There’s no way another bag would easily fit on your rack unless you bungee’d it onto the garment pannier, which is probably asking for trouble.

    Adding a front rack may solve some of these issues, if that’s an option for you.

    March 9, 2013 at 4:55 pm #964170
    krazygl00
    Participant

    @brownnugen 45667 wrote:

    So, I have two great Ortlieb shopper bags that have been awesome for the commute. I’ve coupled them with the Topeak Supertourist rack http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_203697_-1___202601 so even when the Ortlieb bags are mounted, they use the center level mounts, so there is still a nice flat area and top level mounts for something else. Is there a way to bring in my uniforms so they don’t get wrinkled? These are the uniforms where you need to starch the shirts and dry clean the pants so if you roll them up they look like crap. So, I don’t think putting them in my Ortliebs is a good option.

    Is there a way to continue using the Ortliebs and some other garment bag to bring the uniform? The garment bags I’ve seen seem to be used in lieu of the pannier bags. Is there a garment bag out there that can be used over my existing Ortliebs? Would this Nashbar garment bag http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product2_10053_10052_166278_-1 work with the top bars on my rack still available?

    Thanks.

    I’ve used The Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder with great results in the past. Fits into a messenger bag or pack, but I’m not sure about panniers. REI has them, so you can go check out your options. There may make a smaller version. They also have an ultra-light version.

    I have since discovered that I can roll up my Kirkland no-iron shirts and they don’t wrinkle, so I haven’t used my pack-it in a while. By the way, the Kirkland shirts ROCK and I consider them essential commuter gear.

    March 9, 2013 at 5:02 pm #964174
    brownnugen
    Participant

    @krazygl00 45672 wrote:

    I’ve used The Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder with great results in the past. Fits into a messenger bag or pack, but I’m not sure about panniers. REI has them, so you can go check out your options. There may make a smaller version. They also have an ultra-light version.

    I have since discovered that I can roll up my Kirkland no-iron shirts and they don’t wrinkle, so I haven’t used my pack-it in a while. By the way, the Kirkland shirts ROCK and I consider them essential commuter gear.

    Being in the military, I can only wear very specific uniform shirt. But I do have and love those Kirkland no iron shirts. I may have to check out the Pack it folders to see how they do and whether I can get it to fit into my panniers. That would be great if it could and one less bulky thing I have to buy and carry.

    March 9, 2013 at 5:31 pm #964176
    KLizotte
    Participant

    Is there any way you can leave your uniform at work and employ a local drycleaner?

    March 9, 2013 at 5:50 pm #964177
    brownnugen
    Participant

    @KLizotte 45679 wrote:

    Is there any way you can leave your uniform at work and employ a local drycleaner?

    I may be able to do that, but I am not even sure if there will be drycleaning services convenient to my work. Plus, I normally do my ironing at home to save a couple bucks.

    March 9, 2013 at 7:03 pm #964179
    OneEighth
    Participant

    I wear a suit and tie most days and carry them rolled in my backpack. I only have a problem if I roll them too far in advance or roll them poorly.

    March 9, 2013 at 9:29 pm #964185
    brownnugen
    Participant

    I don’t have an REI anywhere near me (in Michigan), so I can’t check the Eagle Creek Pack Its in person. Would you be able to fit an entire suit (jacket, pants, and shirt) into the 15″ size? The description mentions you can fit up to 7 shirts in it. The 18″ says it can fit 8-12 shirts, but I suspect if I got the 18″ size, I would not be able to zip and seal my Ortlieb bag, allowing the contents of the bag to be exposed to the elements if the weather gets bad.

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