[bobbinogs]

Hi, I’m planning to do a short (8 mile) commute to work and want to take the basics in a backpack like a lunch, etc. Only in mainly decent weather and I can change at work into the uniform kept there (postie). Any thoughts on something functional, comfortable and not too bulky? Thanks

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[Richbeck]

I use a Carradice Nelson saddlebag – If you want something a little less retro, then the Carradry is on on offer at present – Use with a QR bracket on your saddle rails – Much more comfy than a backpack and far less sweaty!https://carradice.co.uk/products/carradry-saddlebag-15l?variant=53023271518535 + https://carradice.co.uk/products/bagman-qr-clamp?variant=48514983625031

Literally bombproof

[demiiii]

There are a lot of great commuter backpacks on AliExpress, and they’re really affordable.

[shurcomb]

I have one of these
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPsaQMV

Works as a pannier bag for on bike and rucksack for off. Comfy enough as rucksack for short trips and carrying laptop/lunch/clothing etc.. but I wouldn’t want to be hiking for hours using it. Very quick to convert between the pannier clips and shoulder straps, waterproof, clips to pannier racks easily & securely, generally a neat solution.
My commute is only 4 miles each way and approx 10 mins of walking onsite to get to office etc..

[matthewn5]

I’ve been using a small North Face backpack that I ‘borrowed’ from my other half for the last decade. The advantage is loads of organiser pockets inside, so stuff doesn’t rattle about. I don’t carry much – short commute – and it’s pretty much perfect.

[60somethingcyclist]

I use panniers rather than a backpack. Ortlieb for quick removal. However, if your cycle parking or personal storage isn’t secure I would get a budget-priced alternative, same for a backpack.

[SecretSam]

Anything from Deuter. I have a backpack of theirs which I bought in around 2010, still going strong despite heavy use.

[fernblau]

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/ultra-light-fast-hiking-backpack-17l-fh500/325277/c381m8586020
This lightweight pack works very well for me 17l capacity, very comfortable to wear

[Eton Rifle]

I can understand the
I can understand the attraction of a rucksack. And you’re probably fine if you’re carrying less than, say, 5kg but, if I were you, I’d consider a pannier or a trunk bag.

I did a short commute with a rucksack for years – just socks, underwear and a shirt plus lunch. When the pandemic hit, I had to carry my laptop and charger as well and it was uncomfortable. A pannier made a huge difference. I had an Ortlieb office bag. Loads of space and FAR more comfortable than the rucksack. Mount it on the traffic side of the rack for safety.

[wtjs]

Yes, my thoughts are that
Yes, my thoughts are that anything will do for 8 miles, but the easiest solution is a big Carradice Odyssey saddlebag. Quick on and off using the QR bracket on the seat pillar, durable nylon.

[bobbinogs]

Some great options and
Some great options and thoughts there, many thanks all.

[Rendel Harris]

Really happy with the

Really happy with the Rockrider Mountain biking hydration backpack I bought last spring, 2 L water capacity a godsend on summer commutes, you can always take the bladder out and use that for extra storage if only going short distances. Not huge at 7 L capacity but certainly enough for lunch and essentials. Six separate pockets inside make it easy to keep everything in order and the two zipped pockets on the belt are great for cards, phone, keys et cetera. The net pocket on the back easily takes a couple of innertubes, tyre levers and a pump. Quite heavily used (maybe 4000 km in the last eight months) in all weathers and looks pretty much as good as new. For me (6 foot tall, quite broad shoulders) it fits beautifully, feels really snug and sits in just the right position that even with quite a lot of weight in there you don’t really feel it.

[Steve K]

I’ll third going for a

I’ll third going for a pannier, and recommend the Ortlieb Quick Rack if either you don’t have mounting points and/or you don’t want it on all the time.

[hawkinspeter]

I’m a fan of the Earth Pak

I’m a fan of the Earth Pak drybags. They’re cheap, durable and completely waterproof. I’ve got a fairly massive one which I got so that it could fit a standard boardgame size box in it easily, but with the roll-down top, it shrinks down to a manageable size. Been using it for years, often with a heavy load and it’s still going strong. It’s so much better than so-called waterproof backpacks which let in water through the zips.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/EarthPak/page/923647F1-11A5-4AE4-B328-0E9D32B6E7A9

[chrisonabike]

For most non- Dutch bikes a
For most non- Dutch bikes a front basket / crate will mount to the handlebars or forks, which means it turns with the fork *. That’s OK for light kit like you are considering.

If you’re concerned you might want to do the odd shop on the way home then putting a crate on a rear rack is better. You can get wire mesh baskets which are good for this. I’ve also seen folks here using actual shopping baskets!

Just make sure that it doesn’t interfere with your legs at the end of the pedal stroke or your backside! Also check it’s mounted *very* securely…

One downside of the latter idea can be that you may not then be able to use panniers should you want (as there may not then be space to clip them on). However this will depend on your particular rack / pannier combination – my current ones I think it’s just possible.

Happy carrying!

* More cargo-oriented or otherwise upright frames can allow a front mount to the frame which means the load stays put. Just check what you’re carrying doesn’t foul the bars when you make a sharp turn!

[chrisonabike]

Second this – or even a
Second this – not having stuff on your back while cycling is a good thing.

Or maybe even consider a basket / crate?

Boxes on bikes other than cargo bikes tend to get ignored (extra weight! Not aero! Only on kid’s bikes / bike shaped objects!) … but after some years of short distance cycle commuting (5 miles to station) you start to notice the small inconveniences.

Like “this pannier isn’t the most convenient thing to carry at the far end”. Also being next to the wheel a pannier gets covered with crud sometimes and transfers that to you. That’s fine for a holiday, less desirable for daily work. Many pannier designs I’ve had are a bit fiddly to get into compared with a rucksack, and certainly less quick to attach / detach than “throw it in the crate”.

I note that the Dutch tend to go with a basket/crate, into which they simply toss their normal rucksack or bag, and just grab it at the destination. (Certainly easier than bungie-cord attaching a rucksack to a rack and fiddling the straps out of the wheel, squashing your sandwiches as you do …)

Just make sure it doesn’t bounce out if you’re not on nice smooth Dutch cycle infra…

[Author]

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