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.

 

[teskow]

I lived in Northern WI & MN a good share of my life so speak with experience about winter weather. Good luck keeping your hands and feet warm for more than a few minutes. Bringing anything that is outside cold temp. inside a warm building and the item will instantly get wet from condensation. ie. things rust fast too. Bring a can of gasoline in a warm building and you will have a puddle of water in the bottom of the can quickly. I can't imagine the drastic temp change on a bicycle so frequently could not be hard on the battery life either. My advice is to put the E-bike away for the winter.

 

[stompandgo]

Look at a MIK compatible trunk bag with drop down panniers. I commuted with Topeak MTX, worked great. I could haul a weeks worth of clothing back and forth.

 

[PedalUma]

It would be great if @gkochner could bring the entire bike inside at work. Don't some employers get incentives both form health insurance and governments for encouraging healthy activity and green commuting? Why can't you park it in the basement? There is still that condensation issue @teskow knows too well. There was a guy in Regina Canada who destroyed a new bike in one season. He was dumping hot water on it to defrost it. The motor internally seized with rust. Bikes x salted roads x sub-freezing temps do not mix.

This is what January looks like here. I always do a big January First ride in the hills. Anyone can do it.

 

[sc00ter]

My 2cents.
When I commuted by ebike I discovered the following. I used a front basket with the front suspension fork because I bring my lunch to work. I found if I put my lunch in the rear panniers it would get shaken and stirred. It still got shaken a bit in the front basket but it wasn't near as bad.

My commute is 14 miles each way, so I had to recharge the battery at work. I ended up buying a extra charger to leave at work. Hauling one charger back and forth got old quick. I also bought one of those battery wraps for cold weather and put the battery back in the ebike as close to quittin' time as possible. By the time I was in my 'hood the cold would just be getting to the battery. Oh, and charging a cold battery is a no no. Let the battery warm a bit before recharging.

Someone sells cool little toe covers you slip over the front toes on your shoes to keep the cold out in the winter. Those things are great! I also used heated gloves from Home Depot in the winter. Work great for my needs.

My work has totally secure parking so I didn't have to lock-up at work. BUT I did use a cafe lock because co-workers would borrow it after I charged it, making a fast ride home with less battery kinda sketchy. When I was commuting my 'hood was sill on the come up. You stayed moving at night (I work Noon to 8:30). The 'hood is MUCH BETTER now.

I use Litelok angle grinder resistant U-locks now. A hefty chain is good as well because holding the chain while trying to angle grind it gets dangerous. Thieves stink!

And no matter how water resistant/waterproof a bag is claimed always carry a large ziplok bag for your phone and wallet if it looks like rain is going to get ya.

I always add a few extra lights to the bike for night rides. Oh, and a buy some cheap ones in bulk and hand them out to other cyclist at night who are running in "ninja" mode. Try to keep my fellow night riders safe. Also Redshift Arclight pedals are THE BEST if you have to ride at night.

 

[indianajo]

I had 19" x 19" x 8" panniers from yubabike until last month. They were stolen with the bike four weeks ago. (Man door to garage, the Abus hasp was cut off with a grinder). Yuba panniers had a plastic bar on the back, that I tied to the yuba rack with baling twine. Nobody ever figured out how to untie it & steal the panniers. When turning bike upside down to change tires or chain, I just pulled the slip knots on the two loops. US Army+Ringing Bros knots. I have looked for replacements, but nobody witll discuss or show a picture of how their pannier connects to the book/child rack. https://bicycletouringpro.com/bicycle-panniers/ As I fall off about yearly, I am not buying anything that hooks to the rack with gravity. I had groceries spread all over the I-65 interchange after I hit a high pavement separator 2018 and went over the handlebar. Yuba pannier had no top close strap. Just folded over.
I'm making panniers out of steel computer cases now. The old 17"x16"x6.5" one that was a PC-AT. I have another that is 18"x18"x8.5". Requires some cutting & screwing of sheet metal to plug the holes. The top that used to be the plastic front, I am putting on door hinges. Reason, my SS sling does not roll tighter than 16". Fabric panniers, the Yuba ones were coming unsewed at the edges after 8 years & 12000 miles.
I don't carry a laptop computer in and out, everything in my panniers got wet. You should have a separate bag for that. Tools were in a 6"x4"x11" metal cash box with closure. That was stolen once when the bike was parked at a grocery. Lyzene pump in a plastic bag under the spare tire on the bottom was missed that time. Lyzene pumps can go underwater and not rust.
My rear Birghtz light was stolen when it was held on by ty-wraps. After i ran #6 screws through the holes to a covering plastic rain shield, that problem stopped. Front lights, had two of them stop working after the switch was rained on. Nite-Rider and generic. I keep front light in a peanut butter jar in the bag now. It straps to the front handlebar on the rare times I ride at night.
I don't live in a city that provides bike tethers, except the front wheel grabber kind. I don't need my front wheel after the guy with the van steals the rest of the bike. U-locks are useless here. I wrap power poles, live gas meter piping, or live electrical conduits, with the 1/2" x 6; SS sling. Abus 82/60 lock with 12 mm rotating pin. Nobody has tried to cut that. It is up in the air so it takes 3 hands to use a grinder on it. I'm thinking of buying a Krpyton 1016 5.5' chain to lock the bike to a steel bookshelf inside my garage in future. In back of the pickup on vacation, I lock the bike to a 100 lb truck tire with a steel rim.