Uni and a Bike - Luggage

[Rik398]

Hey folks.

Off to uni soon and have all the stuff i need. i am looking for a bag though. Now a lot of the time i will take the train like in winter for instance but most of the time i will be doing the commute on my bike.

i need a bag that can accomadate a small laptop (which has its seperate case for protection so no real need for computer specific bags) and a4 note pad, pens, and maybe a book or two. It needs to be a bag rather than top box, so that when i get there i can just take it off and go.

Magnetic tank bags are out of the question as i have a daytona 600 which wither has an aluminuim tank or fiber glass, not sure but not magnetic anyway. I was looking down the tank bag road though if there are types that are not magnetic but remain easily removable. Size wise not sure if it would get in the way yet.

other option is a tail bag. do they just strap to the rear pillion seat or is it a little more complex than that. main thing really is that it is succure on the bike but can be easily removed and used as a normal bag or shoulder bag or whatever for the times i take the train or am just walking around the place.

any ideas?

cheers folks

[PhatDad]

Hey folks.

Off to uni soon and have all the stuff i need. i am looking for a bag though. Now a lot of the time i will take the train like in winter for instance but most of the time i will be doing the commute on my bike.

i need a bag that can accomadate a small laptop (which has its seperate case for protection so no real need for computer specific bags) and a4 note pad, pens, and maybe a book or two. It needs to be a bag rather than top box, so that when i get there i can just take it off and go.

Magnetic tank bags are out of the question as i have a daytona 600 which wither has an aluminuim tank or fiber glass, not sure but not magnetic anyway. I was looking down the tank bag road though if there are types that are not magnetic but remain easily removable. Size wise not sure if it would get in the way yet.

other option is a tail bag. do they just strap to the rear pillion seat or is it a little more complex than that. main thing really is that it is succure on the bike but can be easily removed and used as a normal bag or shoulder bag or whatever for the times i take the train or am just walking around the place.

any ideas?

cheers folks

 

I've just finished uni and to be honest you're better off having a bag inside a top box. That way you just open the top box take out your bags and replace said bags with your helmet and other gear. The biggest problem I had until finding a load of lockers was finding somewhere to keep all my bike gear so I didn't have to lug it around or leave it with the bike. Although saying that, on a lot of trips my helmet generally stayed hanging on the bike mirror.

[nman1]

Why not try a rucksack. Kreiga do a series of sizes ranging from 15litre to 30 litre. Bit expensive but if you`ve got the cash it should last your course. If not try something a little cheaper.

[Ice7771]

A lot of people swear by Kreiga bags. Personally I'd suggest the Knox sixpack, plenty of space, seperate laptop holder in the bag, netting for your helmet, waterproof, 25L, spare visor holder etc. Never used it myself however, but have heard good things. Another plus is it's around £40, compared to the Kreiga £80+

KJ

[mealexme]

if you are buying a rucksack, MAKE SURE IT IS 100% WATERPROOF! try and find some reviews on it aswell because some companies claim to have waterproof products but they are hardly splashproof, and you really dont want your laptop getting wet!

[alan29]

Get a laptop rucksack and a couple of waterproof stuff bags - they come in all sizes for a couple of quid and do the job.

[Rik398]

cheers for your replies folks.

basically i will not take my bike every time so it does not necerserily have to be bike specific.

i shall look up those back packs. my laptop case claims to be waterproof. its like a glasses case made of plastic etc but laptop size lol. i think a rucksack may be an option as it wont be too heavy so its not really a balancing or controll issue.

to be honest even a shoulder bag should be fine. but yeah it is a psychology course so no real equipment needed other than laptop bag paper and pen tbh.

top box is not really an option due to the fact that i dont fancy having a rack on the bike. simply just a slightly pathetic asthetics issue.

i think rucksack is an option. i shall look into it

cheers

[Decor58]

Personally I don't think you need a laptop for going to lectures and things.

Very occasionally if in the library and can't get a pc, but for the most part it's just pen, paper and folders. I just use a rucksack or messenger bag.

If you do want to though and you laptop is small enough could try an oxford tank bag, would fit a netbook but no more and is a great thing, can also get a crate of 15 cans in these =]

[mealexme]

saw this and thought of you lol

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/products_id/7292

[Guest]

I been looking at these lately, colour and waterproofness being things I value.

http://www.over-board.co.uk/catalog//bw ... cts_id=78/

A sensible investment (around £15) would be a drysack, from a decent outdoors store or ebay if the luggage you end up with is not guaranteed waterproof.

[Guest]

I have a laptop rucksack, which has space for a laptop and lunch.

and if you unsure of the waterproof -ness, then plastic bags work well.

otherwise a good sports holdall and bungees..