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.
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.
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'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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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]
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
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
posted by kiripin at 4:51 PM on January 24, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
(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]