Perfect rack setup for short commute?

[poulhansen]

.......

[slumsdon]

Have commuted into London for 30 yrs and two recommendations are
1) the tubus vega rack and ortlieb small (front) pannier, waterproof, easy to clip on/off and practical
2) rucksac, ideally waterproof, currently use Rapha one
I travel light, short and underwear only, trousers and shoes stay in office locker so rucsac not too heavy
Means you can take a nice fast roadbike into work, rack and panniers go well with musguards for winter commute
Enjoy

[wooger]

PS: Why do all people want watertight rolltops? They are irritating in daily use and unnecessary unless you dunk your panniers in a river regularly.
Ortliebs "Sport" series made of watertight material but with a normal lid and straps work perfectly well in the worst of storms.

Because it rains often for more than half the year in the most populous areas of Europe, and because zips are never waterproof and always fail eventually. I'd agree that a shaped clip down lid over some kind of opening (as in old school backpacks) is waterproof enough too - but I don't see it as being easier than a rolltop.

Ortlieb classic panniers are a little fiddly, but many rolltop backpacks and bags have it down to a slick single clip now, it's easier than using a zip tbh.

e.g. I commute with the Brooks Pickwick waxed cotton backpack with a simple rolltop. https://www.brooksengland.com/en_uk/pic ... anvas.html

It's hardly weightweenie, but the build is indestructible, the canvas can easily be re-waxed, and it's proven remarkably waterproof for a bag with a rolltop and a single G hook clip to fasten it.

[LloydP]

PS: Why do all people want watertight rolltops? They are irritating in daily use and unnecessary unless you dunk your panniers in a river regularly.
Ortliebs "Sport" series made of watertight material but with a normal lid and straps work perfectly well in the worst of storms.

Because it rains often for more than half the year in the most populous areas of Europe, and because zips are never waterproof and always fail eventually. I'd agree that a shaped clip down lid over some kind of opening (as in old school backpacks) is waterproof enough too - but I don't see it as being easier than a rolltop.

Ortlieb classic panniers are a little fiddly, but many rolltop backpacks and bags have it down to a slick single clip now, it's easier than using a zip tbh.

e.g. I commute with the Brooks Pickwick waxed cotton backpack with a simple rolltop. https://www.brooksengland.com/en_uk/pic ... anvas.html

It's hardly weightweenie, but the build is indestructible, the canvas can easily be re-waxed, and it's proven remarkably waterproof for a bag with a rolltop and a single G hook clip to fasten it.

Exactly this. If you commute every day it’ll turn out you get wet far more often than you might realise from other forms of transport. Not just rain from the sky but spray and splashes off the road as well. Quite like my stuff to stay properly dry…also when the IT department starts recognising you as the guy who’s drowned yet another laptop it’s a sign!