Carrying a Laptop for Work

[GLC1968]

Oooh, thanks Dex! I think that might work for me!

At first I thought that the basket sat on an angle on the bike and then I realized that your bike is still on the stand. Duh!

Anyway, I appreciate the photos! I'm going to give this a try this weekend.

[ironic_chef]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. My work does not have indoor bike storage, so I will need something that is relatively easy to take on and off the bike. In researching pannier bags, I've noticed many different systems for attaching the bags to the rack. Are there a lot of proprietary systems, or will one rack suit all? I haven't bought the rack yet, either.

If it weren't for the laptop, I would be less persnickety about the whole purchase, but the laptop has work-specific software, so I do need to cart it about.

[Rai Sue]

Hi all,

I too have to lug my laptop. I hate that! Mostly b/c I hate having it on me if I don't go directly home after work.

I have the vaude waterproof panniers. They are very similar to Ortliebs, but harder to find (and possibly cheaper?). I would recommend them, or the Ortliebs. They are also adjustable and completely waterproof.

Anyways, these days I just put my laptop in a canvas tote, then put everything else I need to in, and have no problems.

Much fewer sweat and back problems than otherwise.

And, once you have panniers, you are that much more ready to go bike-touring!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I did the round trip yesterday and I was trying to figure out a way to haul my stuff 34 miles round trip with room to stop at farm stands and the store. Right now strapping down the backpack gives no room for strawberries or local honey purchases. AND I can't access my pack very easily.

This looks like it will def. work. Thank you so much for posting it (and rolling off the couch!) now I will have to track em down but I think I have an idea where I can find em. Did you just install one? If you did, could you install two ? Not sure if there is enough real estate on the tray?

Thanks! Karin

[dex]

Did you just install one? If you did, could you install two ? Not sure if there is enough real estate on the tray?

I only put on one, because I'm still thinking I may go with the Ortlieb bag on the other side. You could definitely do a second one on the other side of the rack, though--they just attach with a couple of little clamp-y bits to the outside rail of the rack.

If you can't find them locally, they're definitely available online through a few different places. I know I've seen them from various sellers on Amazon.

I'm glad the pictures helped!

[ironic_chef]

I decided on the Axiom Kootenay bags http://www.axiomgear.com/product/bag...duct.php?id=63
They have a clip and elastic setup that is easy to put on and take off the bike. They also came with a shoulder strap, which is nice.

I used them on my ride to work today for the first time. I'm going to reserve judgement on them until I ride on a really hot day. I felt faster this morning, but it was also my first ride on my dedicated commuter setup, which is lighter, with skinnier tires!

My fellow bike commuters all ooh-ed and ahh-ed at my new setup. I did get teased a bit, though - the security guard at work told me I was going to get beat up, riding around on a bike with a rack! Ha.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

with putting a different pannier on the other side. I'm pannier clueless and none of my LBS carry them . Are there ones that snap on and come off easily of an existing rack? I am probably going to go online and buy them from Amazon (at least one of the wire ones) because the milk crate idea does not look like it's going to work. It's a little sketchy at best!