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A novice writes....
(76 posts)- Started 13 years ago by Its_Me_Knees
- Latest reply from chdot
- This topic is
resolved
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Posted 13 years ago #
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+1 for dry bags, alpkit do ones you can just lash to your rack if needed to. I never bothered before, just put stuff in a tesco bag in my backpack, one really wet day through the "summer" i got so drowned my shirt was soaking, ordered a dry bag that day.
Though i've now converted to a carradice saddle bag water proof by default.
Posted 13 years ago # -
If you are returning to cycling and doing what, 8 miles? Panniers without a shadow of doubt imho.
Less sweaty, less weight carried on your person, less distracting as you get used to the extra/different exercise traffic etc.
I now really dislike carrying weight/bulk on my person when I know I'd probably not even notice it in pannier/s.Used to have EBC nylon type panniers (from the late eighties / early nineties!) but they wore out, I use and love Ortlieb "front" roller panniers, but used on the back rack (as I don't need massive load capacity for normal running around), 100% waterproof, removed in one movement (and put back on nearly as fast), very well made and robust and you can clean them with a sponge and some soapy water. The only downsides I've found so far are the initial cost (but if they last as long as it looks like they will then it will work out in the long run) and I had to wrap some black nasty round the pannier in places to stop the mounting frame making a quiet rattle (I'm obsessive about rattles lol)
They are clearly better than the cheaper alternatices I've used (on both powered and unpowered two wheelers)Posted 13 years ago # -
"I'm obsessive about rattles"
"A well maintained bike should move smoothly without rattling"
http://bikebase.wordpress.com/basic-basics/beginners-guide-to-living-with-a-bike
Posted 13 years ago # -
This thread is mentioned in The sport-games Daily - an Edinburgh 'feed aggregation' (or something) web site.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Do messenger-style bags exist which are so securely fastened that they require no re-positioning? I generally find that my riding position causes any shoulder bag to work its way around so that it's between chest and knees. I briefly had a camera bag with a stabilising strap but it still shuffled round and required pushing back with a hand every now and then, and whilst it meant a slightly less sweaty back the criss-crossing straps at the front just displaced the sweatiness to the chest.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Do messenger-style bags exist which are so securely fastened that they require no re-positioning?
My Schwalbe recycled tyre one would fall into this category. There's not a huge amount of room in it though. I think it basically moulds to the shape of your back and the knobbles on the tyre hold it in place.
This thread is mentioned in The sport-games Daily - an Edinburgh 'feed aggregation' (or something) web site.
Always read carefully. I skim-read this as
This thread is mentioned in The Sport and Daily Mail as an Edinburgh "feeds aggresion" web site.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Looking at the above discussion make me realise why the bicycle with a basket is becoming so popular for transport cycling, it is just practical...
Posted 13 years ago # -
"a basket is becoming so popular"
Yes, (small) danger of stuff jumping out unless restrained - especially in the days of secret potholes.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@ Kim, all the benefits of a pannier but where you can see it and not waterproof then ;-)
Joking aside, once I sort out alternate position/s for my front lights my bike is getting an large Ortlieb handlebar bag for exactly the reason you specify!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Of course, one advantage of the traditional single right pannier is it makes you more a danger to car paintwork, and hence perhaps more likely to get some space (discussed here previously).
Posted 13 years ago # -
an large Ortlieb handlebar bag
get 2 bits of blue tac also to press into the buttons for mounting the map case - otherwise the rattle will drive you demented.
Posted 13 years ago # -
when i was a courier i still used panniers, with the deuter rackpack fittings they were literally instant on/off.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Thanks again everyone. The thread seems to have morphed a little but to tidy up some loose ends:
Panniers: yep, I've got a sort of all-in-one thing that I picked up in a sale. It drapes across the rear rack and fastens with plastic buckles. Pockets to left and right, and a top compartment linking them across the rack. It's not a perfect fit and I doubt it's seriously waterproof, but it'll do for now. Once it wears out I'll get something pukka. Given my (ahem) round-ish body shape, I'm sure rucksacks, backpacks or courier bags would end up dangling between my chin and the crossbar shortly after lift off.
@Dave and @chdot : I was all set to try the silverknowes - roseburn - harrison gardens - canal path - riccarton route one Sunday in December but the weather intervened. Will do it asap though, as I think it'll be my preferred route (don't mind the length, if the whole experience is quieter).
@cb : I note your alternative to Maybury road ...I'll see how I go with the canal route first, but it may be a good option.
Thanks to you all once again.
Query well and truly resolved!
Posted 13 years ago # -
"Query well and truly resolved!'
But do come back and tell us how you get on.
Posted 13 years ago #
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