Minimalist laptop-on-bike carry
January 23, 2020 10:40 AM   Subscribe

I've recently started biking to work and have been experimenting with ways to carry my stuff. At this point everything I need fits in a small trunk bag that sits on my rear rack - except for my work laptop (15" Macbook Pro). What's the best way to carry this one last piece? Do slimline, laptop-and-not-much-else panniers exist? How about lightweight, small (but not too small for my laptop), NON-SWEATY backpacks/messenger bags?

Please assume that, for now, I do need to carry my laptop back and forth (can't leave at the office). I would also prefer to keep my trunk bag setup as it allows me to easily go on non-commute rides without having to transfer stuff to another bag.
posted by btfreek to Travel & Transportation (12 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Current Wirecutter recommendations include several I'd think of as slim. You may also have luck looking for panniers intended for front racks, as they're generally smaller than their rear rack equivalents.

(Me, I want enough empty space available to be able to stop for groceries or library books or whatever at any time, so I don't have personal recommendations.)
posted by asperity at 10:44 AM on January 23, 2020 [1 favorite]


I'm a big fan of Ortleib bags after commuting year-round with their classic roll-top panniers in rainy Portland for several years. They make some slimmer bags that look more like laptop bags, but with hooks for your rack. The Twin-City Urban or the Office-Bag might work.

(I'd also considering switching just to the pannier, which you could also use for non-commute rides, because then you'd only need one bag.)
posted by bluedaisy at 10:56 AM on January 23, 2020 [3 favorites]


I use a messenger bag, a large one by Timbuk2 as my go-to while riding. What I figure is that if I fall while riding, anything electronic stands a good chance of being wiped out. Normal sleeves and cases don't really do all that much, at least not for a laptop. It's a bit of an investment to carry around like this.
I use a pelican laptop briefcase for my 13" laptop. It fits in there very snugly with room to spare. The case is a bit much in terms of overall size compared to the actual form factor of the laptop but it's worth it to me plus it fits inside the TB2 bag. I usually carry my messenger bag in the back of my cargo bike. I've had the bike fall over several times with nary a scratch on the laptop.
I'm trying to find an equivalent case for a 9.7" iPad in a tough cover. It's not something you readily find in the right form factor that's crush proof.
posted by diode at 11:54 AM on January 23, 2020


I've always used a Timbuk2 messenger big enough for my laptop. I've also fallen a couple of times, and the laptop is still chugging away.
posted by astapasta24 at 12:07 PM on January 23, 2020


What about a super-simple mesh drawstring bag? Pretty breathable, and folds up tiny to tuck away during the day. Absolutely no padding, though, so you'll want to put your laptop into at least a sleeve before you pack it.

I can also attest to the durability of a Timbuk2 messenger - they're built like iron - but I personally find them sweaty to wear slung on my back in hot weather.
posted by DSime at 12:11 PM on January 23, 2020


Assuming that the straps of your trunk bag go underneath your rack to secure it, is there room within those straps to put your laptop in a slim laptop case underneath that, bungeeing it into place securely, and then putting the trunk bag on top? Will be a bit annoying to get it on and off, depending on the fastening system, but would be about as practical as you can get.

Otherwise, a front basket is a great and versatile addition to a practical city bicycle and you can put your laptop in a regular laptop bag in that, securing it from bouncing with bungees as you see fit.
posted by urbanlenny at 12:19 PM on January 23, 2020


If you're not cycling far you could hang your messenger bag or similar from a handlebar from a short strap, perhaps not the safest but I've been doing it for a couple of years on a short commute for the reasons you mention. A front basket would be preferable but isn't always feasible.
posted by Lucy_32 at 1:11 PM on January 23, 2020


I wear a sweaty backpack with a laptop sleeve because I have crashed often enough (about once a year) and don't want damage my company laptop with panniers. Kind of sucks most days but when I crash it's never been damaged.
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:32 PM on January 23, 2020


I am currently schlepping my laptop in a backpack. Sweaty back is guaranteed with a backpack. I'm willing to put up with that.

Ortlieb makes several briefcase-style panniers, and I can attest that their products are rainproof and almost bulletproof.
posted by adamrice at 1:41 PM on January 23, 2020


If by minimalist you mean simple, I just shove my whole laptop backpack into a roll-top regular waterproof Ortlieb pannier and call it a day.
posted by Maarika at 2:30 PM on January 23, 2020 [2 favorites]


I used an earlier version of Arkel's laptop pannier for many years and quite liked it. These days, though, I carry my laptop in a Tom Bihn backpack that, in turn, goes into a Wald folding basket attached to my rear rack.
posted by brianogilvie at 1:35 PM on January 24, 2020


I just tried shoving my 15" Macbook Pro into the Osprey Daylite I use for my 5k run commute, and it fits. (My work laptop is a 13" Macbook Pro which fits into the hydration bladder sleeve - the 15" has to go in the main section.) The mesh back keeps things fairly non-sweaty, even while running. If it's raining, I stick the laptop into a dry sack first.
posted by kiripin at 4:51 PM on January 24, 2020


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