c/bike-commuter-hacks

Used to haul all my work clothes in a backpack

Switched to a front basket last spring and it changed everything. No more sweaty back. Has anyone else ditched the backpack for something else?

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foster.oscar•2d ago

Why does nobody talk about how terrible panniers are in the rain?

I finally caved and bought a set of Ortlieb panniers last month after years of using a backpack. Everyone on here swears by them, but my first real rainstorm commute in Boston showed me they leak at the top seam if you don't roll them perfectly three times. I spent a whole 15 minutes in the parking lot at work trying to dry out my laptop with paper towels. Has anyone else had this problem or did I just get a dud pair?

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aaronrobinson•2d ago

The one time I forgot my bike shorts and everything clicked

I was 15 miles into my commute and my knee started killing me. Turns out I left my padded shorts at home so I just rode in regular jeans. For some reason my legs felt way less fatigued and I actually had more energy when I got to work. Been using a firmer saddle with no pads ever since and my knees havent hurt once. Anybody else ditch the padded gear after a bad experience?

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elizabethhart•3d ago

I wasted $60 on a 'waterproof' commuting backpack that leaked on my laptop

I bought a cheap waterproof backpack off Amazon for $60 six months ago. It worked fine for a month, then during a light rain in Portland last April, water got into the main compartment. My work laptop got wet and I had to pay $200 for a replacement battery. Has anyone else had trouble with those budget waterproof bags?

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harris.emma•3d ago

Finally cracked the code on not sweating through my backpack on my 6 mile ride to the office in Austin

I was getting soaked every morning even with a mesh backpanel on my bag, so I strapped a small wire basket to my rear rack and put my work clothes in a dry bag clipped to it. After three rides the airflow is night and day plus my back stays dry. Has anyone else tried ditching the backpack for a basket setup like this?

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the_andrew•3d ago

Figured out the perfect pannier setup after 2 years of trial and error last month

I finally got tired of the sweaty back struggle from my backpack, so I picked up a pair of Ortlieb panniers on sale for $80. For the longest time, I just clipped them on and hoped for the best, but my bike kept feeling wobbly on turns. Last month, I realized I had been loading them unevenly, heavy stuff like my laptop and lunch on one side only. Now I split the weight, laptop in one pannier and clothes in the other, and it rides straight as an arrow. Also made a habit of rolling my work shirt instead of folding it, way less wrinkles in the bag. I zip through my 4 mile commute to downtown Portland without feeling like a sweaty mess now. Anyone else figure out a load balancing trick that clicked after a while?

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brookebailey•5d ago

Swapped my backpack for panniers after 3 years of commuting

I used to think panniers looked dorky and awkward on my bike. But after showing up to work with a soaking wet back for the fifth time this spring, I caved and got a set from a local shop for $60. Honestly, the difference in sweat is huge. My back stays dry now, and I don't have to change shirts right when I get in. The only downside is remembering to lock them up, since they pop off easy. Has anyone else made the switch and regretted the extra weight on the back wheel?

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felix98•5d ago

Blew $130 on a fancy rain jacket that made me sweat more than just riding without one

I got that expensive Gore-Tex shell thinking it would keep me dry on my 6-mile commute through Seattle, but after 3 days of stop-and-go traffic I was drenched in sweat before even hitting the bike lane, has anyone found a rain jacket under $80 that actually breathes?

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drew_thomas9•10d ago

My commute went from sweaty mess to dry in 2 weeks after changing my gear ratio

I live in Seattle with steep hills and for 6 months I was showing up drenched in sweat before 9am. I swapped my 42t chainring for a 32t last month and now I spin up those hills without breaking a sweat. Has anyone else seen a big difference from just changing one part on their bike?

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the_sandra•10d ago

Just learned the hard way about pannier balance

Last week I loaded my left pannier with a laptop and lunch but left the right one empty. Made it to the third traffic light before I nearly tipped over. The bike wobbled like crazy on turns. Now I split my stuff evenly or put heavy stuff in the middle basket. Anyone else find that uneven weight messes with handling more than you expect?

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jamiekim•11d ago

Hot take: I think those fancy pannier bags are way overhyped for short commutes

Last week I watched a guy at a stoplight near downtown struggle to unbuckle his $200 Ortliebs for 2 minutes while I just swung my backpack off one shoulder and walked into the office, so why pay all that extra cash and fuss for a 3-mile ride?

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mila395•12d ago

A coworker told me my panniers look like a laundry basket and I finally get why

I used to just throw everything loose into my big Ortlieb panniers. Clothes, lunch, laptop, all sliding around. Then a guy at the shop said 'you know you're just making your bike handle worse with all that shifting weight, right?' And he was totally right. I switched to packing cubes (cheap ones off Amazon, like $12 for a set) and now my ride feels way more stable and I don't have to dig for my keys at every stoplight. Anyone else get called out by a random stranger and actually learn something?

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caseyrivera•13d ago

Vent: My pannier got caught in my spokes at the corner of 3rd and Pine

I was turning left near the coffee shop downtown when my bag swung sideways and jammed into the wheel... I ended up spending 10 minutes untangling fabric on the curb with cars honking. Has anyone else had this happen with side-loading panniers?

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stella_roberts•14d ago

Pro tip: took me 5 months to find a pannier that didn't slap my heel on every pedal stroke

I have a 2018 Trek FX 3 and kept thinking it was my riding form causing this annoying heel strike on the right side. Tried adjusting my cleats, moving my saddle back, even swapped pedals. After 5 months of frustration, a guy at The Bike Shop on Broadway pointed out my rack was mounted a half inch too far back and a Banjo Brothers pannier with a offset hook fixed it in 10 minutes. Anyone else spend way too long on a setup problem that had a super simple fix?

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julia_hayes•15d ago

My rear wheel locked up on a bridge downtown and I almost went over the side

I was crossing the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland last Tuesday when my chain jammed between the cassette and spokes. Pedal just stopped moving mid stride and I had to fishtail to the railing to keep from tipping. Turns out a loose spoke had bent inward and grabbed the chain. Took me 20 minutes on the bridge path with a multitool to pry it loose and true the wheel enough to roll. Anyone else ever have a wheel suddenly seize up like that?

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ryand26•18d ago

PSA: I chose a cheap rain jacket over a quality one and regretted it on day 3

I bought a $20 poncho from a discount store thinking it would save money for my 8 mile commute. By the third morning of riding into work, the seams split and my entire work shirt was soaked through. Has anyone else gone the cheap route and learned the hard way?

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tyler_hernandez•18d ago

Switched from a backpack to panniers last spring and I'm never going back

After 3 years of showing up with a sweaty back from my 8 mile commute through Portland, I finally tried a set of Ortlieb panniers and the difference in comfort and airflow was so huge I actually look forward to the ride now instead of dreading it.

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felix98•18d ago

Folding my pannier wrong for 4 years.

I always just clipped my Topeak pannier to the rack and rode. Finally last week a random guy at a light told me I had the hooks backwards. Now the bag sits flush and doesn't wobble at all. Who else had a simple setup fail like that?

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dakota_king80•20d ago

Had a pigeon kamikaze into my bike basket at 7am this morning

I was cruising down Oak Street near the donut shop, smooth commute going, when this pigeon just drops out of nowhere and lands right in my front basket. It sat there looking confused for a solid 5 blocks before it flew off. I was so startled I almost hit a curb. Anyone else get attacked by wildlife on their morning ride?

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julia_hayes•22d ago

Swapped my backpack for panniers and stopped showing up with a sweaty back

For like 2 years I used a regular backpack to haul my laptop and lunch to work. Every single ride in the summer I would get to the office with a soaking wet back. It was gross and I had to keep a change of shirt in my desk drawer. Finally last spring I picked up a used set of Ortlieb panniers off Craigslist for $60. Now the weight sits on the bike frame instead of on me, and I roll up to work completely dry. The only downside is remembering I have them on when I lock up so I don't try to walk away with the bike. Has anyone else found a cheap way to switch from backpack to bags?

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emma_smith•22d ago

Found out my bike commute burns over 500 calories each way

I got a cheap heart rate monitor armband last week just to see what my morning ride was actually doing. Turns out my 8 mile ride to work burns about 520 calories on average. I found this out by logging three days of rides through the app that came with the monitor. I was shocked because I always thought I was just cruising along without pushing hard. Now I realize I can eat a bigger breakfast without feeling guilty. Has anyone else measured their actual burn and been surprised by the numbers?

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pat_hart•23d ago

Spent $40 on a fancy helmet mirror and it already paid for itself

I was always paranoid about traffic behind me on my 7 mile commute into downtown. Finally broke down and bought a helmet mirror for $40 last week. First day using it I saw a delivery van coming way too close and moved over just in time. No more twisting my neck like a crazy person or getting surprised by trucks. Has anyone found a cheap mirror that doesn't vibrate like crazy on bumpy roads?

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andrew_sanchez94•24d ago

Just realized I was over-tightening my bike rack straps this whole time

For 3 years I cranked those Velcro straps on my trunk rack as TIGHT as possible, thinking that was safer. Then last month in Austin a guy at the bike shop pointed out my rear brake cable was all pinched and bound up from the strap pressure. Now I just snug them firm and check after 5 minutes of driving, and my shifting actually works better than it ever has. Anyone else deal with this or have other rack mistakes to share?

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emma_smith•24d ago

Appreciation post: the bakery on Main Street fixed my wet commute problem

I stopped by Dolce Bakery in Portland last Tuesday after a rainy ride into work. Noticed they have a big industrial fan mounted near the back door that blows right onto a drying rack. Asked the owner about it and she said she puts wet signs and aprons there all winter. Now I make a quick 2 minute detour on wet mornings to stand in front of that fan for a bit before locking up. Anyone else found a random business that helps you dry off before heading into the office?

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seth_allen•24d ago

My coworker swore by using a neck gaiter soaked in cold water for summer commutes, and I finally tried it after a 90 degree ride left me pouring sweat onto my desk last Thursday.

I figured it would just drip everywhere and make me look like a drowned rat, but the evaporative cooling actually kept me dry for the whole 4 mile trip and I walked into my office in downtown Austin without a single pit stain has anyone else found a weird clothing hack that actually works better than the expensive stuff?

2 comments