Commuter Bike Setup

[gkochner]

Hello all! I got my Velotric Discover 3 that I plan to be using as a commuter to work, but am wondering what the best setup would be for transporting my stuff to and from work. I'll be locking my bike outside the office with 2 different Kryptonite locks, but will also have a backpack with my laptop and other stuff. I'm curious what everyone else does to haul everything as I don't think just the backpack on my back will be comfortable.

Things I've considered:

• A basket on the rear rack and keeping the backpack in the basket
• Bungee cord strap the backpack directly to the rear rack
• Panniers to hold everything
• Use the bag that came with my bike for the locks; wear the backpack while riding

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[scottsdalecommuter]

Hello all! I got my Velotric Discover 3 that I plan to be using as a commuter to work, but am wondering what the best setup would be for transporting my stuff to and from work. I'll be locking my bike outside the office with 2 different Kryptonite locks, but will also have a backpack with my laptop and other stuff. I'm curious what everyone else does to haul everything as I don't think just the backpack on my back will be comfortable.

Things I've considered:

• A basket on the rear rack and keeping the backpack in the basket
• Bungee cord strap the backpack directly to the rear rack
• Panniers to hold everything
• Use the bag that came with my bike for the locks; wear the backpack while riding

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

That's a great-looking commuter bike, and I think you'll love the front shocks. With e-bikes, you tend to hit small bumps and cracks at higher speeds, and I've definitely felt the difference in my wrists and shoulders over the years.

I've been commuting by bike for over a decade. I'd recommend trying a pannier. I never had much success strapping a backpack to a rack because of all the loose straps. I resisted panniers for a long time, but they've become my favorite commuting accessory. An inexpensive one is enough to see whether you like the setup. I don't use the top bag on the panniers, just the two side pouches, my wife is obsessed with the top bag and takes it to her office as a to-go bag.

When I need to bring a laptop, things get a little more complicated, but panniers make a huge difference. I usually carry clothes, lunch, and coffee in a front rack bag or pannier, and if I'm worried about spills, I'll put my lunch container inside a large Ziploc bag.

I've also had success leaving work clothes and a few lunches at the office for the week. A lot depends on the weather and commute distance. My toughest commute was 12 miles each way in Arizona summers. Today I'm riding 3 miles each way in Illinois, which is much easier, except during the colder months. There was a 2-year stretch where I rode 5 days a week (24 miles per day) without a car and I will say I got real efficient at packing stuff and my legs/cardio system were dialed in, now a days I ride 1-2 days per week with work from home and other family commitments like practices.

Good call on securing the bike. I've been lucky to have access to secure bike parking throughout my career. What will your commute look like (distance, weather, urban streets, bike paths/trails, etc)?

Good luck with the commute and ride safely-best tip is assume no cars see you ever. Bike commuting has been one of the best things I've done for my physical and mental health as a busy husband, dad, and professional.

 

[gkochner]

Good call on securing the bike. I've been lucky to have access to secure bike parking throughout my career. What will your commute look like (distance, weather, urban streets, bike paths/trails, etc)?

Thanks for sharing! I'll be in St. Paul, MN riding ~6 miles one-way with a mix of streets and bike paths. My struggle with using panniers for everything will be how to bring the items into the office. The bag I have today velcro straps to the rear rack (not a fan) so taking that on and off every day would be a nuisance. I've considered getting a MIK-compatible bag, but not sure that's the best option.

 

[PedalUma]

I was about to ask about region. St. Paul is tough. Batteries do not work well in that kind of cold. IP65 components are not waterproof or water vapor proof more importantly in your situation. The motor will warm and then cool, bringing in moisture which will then condense for example inside the motor. If you were in San Jose, CA I would just say get the type of panniers that clip on and off, have an internal laptop sleeve, and backpack straps. The bike will last one Winter, maybe, then it will be a lost cause, and that is if the battery is always kept indoors. I want to be encouraging but in this circumstance I cannot be.

 

[scottsdalecommuter]

Thanks for sharing! I'll be in St. Paul, MN riding ~6 miles one-way with a mix of streets and bike paths. My struggle with using panniers for everything will be how to bring the items into the office. The bag I have today velcro straps to the rear rack (not a fan) so taking that on and off every day would be a nuisance. I've considered getting a MIK-compatible bag, but not sure that's the best option.

bookbag may be your best bet especially with the laptop, i've got an osprey that's specifically for biking and it gets the job done. i've seen other ones online that look better that are more boxy and have foldover top for more storage, they aren't cheap but seem to last forever, my osprey still looks brand new. i've commuted a lot with a bookbag and after the first week, didnt really notice it anymore.

 

[scottsdalecommuter]

I was about to ask about region. St. Paul is tough. Batteries do not work well in that kind of cold. IP65 components are not waterproof or water vapor proof more importantly in your situation. The motor will warm and then cool, bringing in moisture which will then condense for example inside the motor. If you were in San Jose, CA I would just say get the type of panniers that clip on and off, have an internal laptop sleeve, and backpack straps. The bike will last one Winter, maybe, then it will be a lost cause, and that is if the battery is always kept indoors. I want to be encouraging but in this circumstance I cannot be.

maybe not that dire, i've e-biked through four mid-west winters and the battery performance definitely drops and takeoff speeds are a little sluggish but the bike (motor/battery) is still running like new. i do keep the battery indoors in winter. i've looked at those battery wraps but have been too lazy to buy one.

 

[gkochner]

I was about to ask about region. St. Paul is tough. Batteries do not work well in that kind of cold. IP65 components are not waterproof or water vapor proof more importantly in your situation. The motor will warm and then cool, bringing in moisture which will then condense for example inside the motor. If you were in San Jose, CA I would just say get the type of panniers that clip on and off, have an internal laptop sleeve, and backpack straps. The bike will last one Winter, maybe, then it will be a lost cause, and that is if the battery is always kept indoors. I want to be encouraging but in this circumstance I cannot be.

Fortunately it isn't my only mode of transportation. I was going to take it on any day where the weather was nice and then drive otherwise. Thanks for the insight on moisture with the battery; I'll be sure to keep that indoors or at the very least the garage during the cold months.