Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marty A. on July 21, 2010 at 3:16am

Backpack?

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Permalink Reply by Fred Noinaj on July 21, 2010 at 3:18am

Sucks to hear that.

How much stuff do you carry around ( weight and volume-wise) on a daily basis?

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Permalink Reply by Marty A. on July 21, 2010 at 3:25am

Absolutely dorky . . . but a nice sweaty option . . .

Alexandria Doing said:

Nah. While the backpack does effectively reduce the stress to my shoulders/neck/jaw, I'd prefer to experience my options to get a pack off of my back entirely. And while they are fine for others, I feel dorky as hell in a backpack =)


Marty A. said:

Backpack?

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Permalink Reply by Joel on July 21, 2010 at 3:50am

There are some larger saddle (seat-mounted) bags. It might be worth looking into them if you aren't willing to get a rack.


http://www.velo-orange.com/ossabag.html
http://www.velo-orange.com/mimesabag.html
http://www.velo-orange.com/orlasabaliqu.html

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Permalink Reply by Bryan D on July 21, 2010 at 3:59am

Seriously, use a backpack. If you don't want saddle bags, you don't have another option. Evenly distributed weight is your best bet to ease the pain.

And let me guess, you don't wear a helmet because it looks dorky too, right? Yeesh.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on July 21, 2010 at 4:14am

I have one of those Minnehaha bags and really, really like it. You might want to look at the Carradice bags at wiggle.co.uk, though—the Minnehahas are essentially Carradice knockoffs and because the pound is weak it's actually cheaper to get the original article.

I don't know how people can ride with backpacks, by the way, but to each their own.

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Permalink Reply by Joel on July 21, 2010 at 4:15am

I've not actually used any of these or similar bags before. I do know that they are somewhat sensitive to your saddle position, saddle rails/loop type, and the size of your thighs (possible rubbing in some saddle positions).

Alexandria Doing said:

These are perfect. thank you!

Joel said:

There are some larger saddle (seat-mounted) bags. It might be worth looking into them if you aren't willing to get a rack.


http://www.velo-orange.com/ossabag.html
http://www.velo-orange.com/mimesabag.html
http://www.velo-orange.com/orlasabaliqu.html

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Permalink Reply by Mark Kenseth on July 21, 2010 at 4:56am

i put everything on a monkey and then link him to my bike with a rope. it only slows me down a bit, but it's very cool. wherever i go, everyone wants to pet my monkey :) "everybody's got something to hide 'cept for me and my monkey."

ps. i really like the velo-orange options...i just have to wonder how/where to relocate the back light.

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Permalink Reply by Chucko on July 21, 2010 at 5:26am

Have you considered a rack for the front?- Like a CETMA rack, or one of those supported Wald baskets that you connect to the handlebars? Might require some tweaking of your setup, but the baskets work well since you can put whatever you want in them. And they're messenger chic.

http://cetmacargo.com/10%20CETMA%20cargo%20racks%20index.htm

http://www.waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald198gbbasket.html

If you don't want the bag on you or your back, these or rear rack and panniers are the best options. Seat bags are okay, but can be annoying to remove if you don't want them stolen while you're away from the bike. Some have quick releases, but generally that kind won't hold as much.

There's this, but again weight capability might plague you, and this isn't exactly cheap. You could go with a regular carradice saddle bag, with a bag support, and some kind of quick release system (Nitto makes one, but again, the total cost for all that would be a couple hundred).

http://www.carradice.co.uk/products/type/sqrtour

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=9782

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Permalink Reply by Chucko on July 21, 2010 at 5:36am

Just remember, the VO bags aren't going to be that easily removed if you don't want to leave them on the bike when you get to your destination. You'd need to buy a quick release system like the one Nitto makes (you can order them from Rivendell or Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee). That adds a bit to the cost. Also, you might need a support depending on the position of your saddle, and how much weight you put in it.

Alexandria Doing said:

Yeah, the velo-orange bags are lookin best. I would say just mount a reflector on the back of the bag. While flashing lights are mos def more noticeable, every time I see a regular reflector shining bright I wonder why I bother.

Monkey? Yikes! =)

Mark Kenseth said:

i put everything on a monkey and then link him to my bike with a rope. it only slows me down a bit, but it's very cool. wherever i go, everyone wants to pet my monkey :) "everybody's got something to hide 'cept for me and my monkey."

ps. i really like the velo-orange options...i just have to wonder how/where to relocate the back light.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on July 21, 2010 at 5:40am

Just FYI, you can buy a Carradice Barley and a SQR mount from a British vendor like Wiggle for a combined price of about $80 plus shipping. The prices American retailers are charging for these products haven't caught up to how weak the pound is yet.

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Permalink Reply by Chucko on July 21, 2010 at 5:42am

No problem. Cheers!

Alexandria Doing said:

Thank you this is very helpful.

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