Panniers

[worktheweb]

There are some panniers out there that seem to fit the bill, but I can’t vouch for their effectiveness: here, here, here, here, and while I was searching, I found this discussion from the past here (the two wheel gear bag seems well regarded).

I usually either clothes roll or fold, but some level of wrinkling seems inevitable unless you’ve got the proper tools.

[Rockford10]

Hi! I work in Tysons and am a sometimes-commuter. Many buildings have a dry cleaner on-site or through the concierge. You might want to check with others in your office to see what they do. It’s not *really* any more expensive than the off-site places.

As for work storage, you may be more or less comfortable with this, but I keep a blazer and some shirts in the communal office closet. This summer it wasn’t ever a problem, but I can see it might be an issue during the winter with coats and things. I can easily carry my clothes in my backpack, but liked to have the blazer if I needed to look nice or extra shirts just in case.

[Ben]

@Rockford10 98749 wrote:

Hi! I work in Tysons and am a sometimes-commuter. Many buildings have a dry cleaner on-site or through the concierge. You might want to check with others in your office to see what they do. It’s not *really* any more expensive than the off-site places.

As for work storage, you may be more or less comfortable with this, but I keep a blazer and some shirts in the communal office closet. This summer it wasn’t ever a problem, but I can see it might be an issue during the winter with coats and things. I can easily carry my clothes in my backpack, but liked to have the blazer if I needed to look nice or extra shirts just in case.

No cleaners or concierge in my building, unfortunately. I do keep a suit jacket at in my cube already, and I could keep shirts here as well, but I’m looking to avoid the sweaty walk up to my cube and back to the lockers, and avoid carrying the clothes in once a week. It could still work out this way, but I want to see what my options are.

@worktheweb 98746 wrote:

There are some panniers out there that seem to fit the bill, but I can’t vouch for their effectiveness: here, here, here, here, and while I was searching, I found this discussion from the past here (the two wheel gear bag seems well regarded).

I usually either clothes roll or fold, but some level of wrinkling seems inevitable unless you’ve got the proper tools.

I’ve seen those options out there, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience on the forum. It sounds like most people here just use the regular bags instead of the garment bags.

[dasgeh]

This has been discussed before (just search “garment bags” and you find threads like this), and IIRC the consensus was to use regular bags and roll or use pack-its. I did see someone with something that looked like a garment bag at last night’s bike light give away, so they do exist in the wild…

[Crickey7]

Why a garment bag? Wool doesn’t wrinkle much. Cotton shirts/blouses do, but for that I keep a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release. Roll the clothes tightly, dress at work and spritz the couple of fold lines that show.

[Phatboing]

@Crickey7 98755 wrote:

Why a garment bag? Wool doesn’t wrinkle much.

Indeed. I recently transported a suit in my bike backpack’s laptop compartment (all the better to take advantage of stiff foam). Admittedly not on the bike, but it did survive the flight to Louisville.

[rcannon100]

Ortlieb waterproof bags
* They are waterproof!
* They go on and off the rack easily
* Durable
* Good holding capacity
Have loved mine and gotten lots of mileage. I think I got Ortlieb’s based on Rootchopper’s recommendation.

When I shopped for bags, I had a short list of a number of the bags on this list. One difference was that I could go into a store and check out the Ortliebs (REI carries them). The Arkel, which was my second choice, at that time I could not find in a store anywhere.

Before these I had TRANSIT from Performance. I would not recommend those.

I also have a Topeak Trunk that slides on and off my rack. Love the trunk. The zipper wore out before it should have. I do not like the version of the Topeak Trunk that opens up into Paniers. Otherwise the trunk is great for day trips or group rides when I want to be carrying stuff.

[Phatboing]

@dkel 98742 wrote:

I think you could put a full-size cooler in one and pack all your groceries in.

Yes you could, though I haven’t.

http://www.quik-pak.com

You’re welcome.

[Steve O]

@worktheweb 98746 wrote:

There are some panniers out there that seem to fit the bill, but I can’t vouch for their effectiveness: here, here, here, here, and while I was searching, I found this discussion from the past here (the two wheel gear bag seems well regarded).

My humble opinion is that you are better off sticking with a company that specializes in panniers, like Ortlieb or Arkel, rather than companies whose primary business is something else, like bikes or clothing. It just makes sense that a company that puts its primary focus on a particular product line will do it better than a company that has it as a sideline.

[kingman762]

@Ben 98727 wrote:

Does anyone have a recommendation on the garment bags that attach to racks? I’m planning to become a daily bike commuter, and I’m trying to decide between buying a suit bag or buying regular bags, so any advice or specific bags that you use would be helpful!

I’d reccomend buying a real set of (Ortlieb) panniers and an Eagle Creek Pack-It folder. I’ve been using one of these for years and they work great for eliminating (or at least very much limiting) wrinkles. I generally keep my shoes in my locker and suit jackets in my office to cut down on the bulk. I’ve also used these on work trips to keep a suit nicely folded. The folders work really well. If you are unsure, buy one from REI, try it for a month, and return it if you don’t like it.

[KLizotte]

I use a packing cube in my pannier for my work clothes. Cheap and light. There are various versions out there and yes, they do work really well in suitcases!

[kingman762]

@dkel 98742 wrote:

Seriously, though, I’ve been thinking of the possibilities that would come with even a small trailer. Phatboing has told of his mighty deeds with one…I think you could put a full-size cooler in one and pack all your groceries in.

Two words, Burley Travoy. If I could fully justify it, I would buy one.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Ben 98727 wrote:

Does anyone have a recommendation on the garment bags that attach to racks? I’m planning to become a daily bike commuter, and I’m trying to decide between buying a suit bag or buying regular bags, so any advice or specific bags that you use would be helpful!

Also, has anyone seen any insulated shopping bags? We currently walk to the market and have gotten great use out of an insulated bag for a few years now, but it would be too big to fit into one of the many options people have posted here so far.

Thanks!

I have the Nashbar garment bag for days that I need a suit. It works well, isn’t too bulky, and fits on my rack without heel strike. It is not water proof though. If I need to use it on a rainy day, I put the suit in a regular garment bag (that the suit came in when new) or a dry cleaner bag before putting it in the bike bag.

You can get them on sale at Nashbar.com for $60 fairly regularly. I got mine off Craig’s list for $30.

[dkel]

I don’t wear a suit to work very often, but I have had no trouble rolling it and all the other bits of attire for the day (except shoes) into a big roll, and putting it in a plastic grocery bag. Fits it my Ortliebs, easy to put in and get out, ready to carry to wherever I need to go to change, and no trouble with wrinkles. People always say, “oh, you must have driven in today since you’re wearing a suit” (they’ll never learn, will they?). I do keep my shoes at work, but they would fit in my other Ortlieb on the other side of the bike, if need be. And there’s still room for my lunch, and emergency tools, and bungees just in case I stop to get a package, or whatever. Those plastic grocery bags seem to multiply in one’s life anyway, so I enjoy reusing them before recycling them. Before I had waterproof Ortliebs, the grocery bags would give me extra protection against water, or I would use an actual garbage bag over everything.

[cyclingfool]

@kingman762 98781 wrote:

Two words, Burley Travoy. If I could fully justify it, I would buy one.

I think Topeak makes a similar product. Not sure if it’s any cheaper, but Topeak quality is good, too.

[Author]

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