New Liv/carrying stuff

[Brangdon]

I bought an eZee Liv last weekend, for a 2-mile daily commute. I need to take some stuff with me - lunch, the bike lock, extra clothing etc. I am wondering what other people do about carrying this kind of thing.

At the moment I am using a rucksack, but I'd rather not have something so heavy on my back.

I'd rather something which clipped to the rear luggage rack. I'd prefer it to be quick release, and my impression is that such bags tend to have specialised attachment systems. How do I tell whether a given bag will attach to my bike? The rack seems to be a bit esoteric, since the battery makes an unusually wide gap between the rack and the saddle.

Is it feasible to get a messenger bag or something which will be held by the rack's own spring? I sometimes carry my D-lock like that.

On a related note, what do you do with the ignition key? I can't remove it from the bike when the ignition is on, and I don't like all my other keys to dangle from the side of the bike, so I don't keep it on my usual key-ring. Nor do I like to leave it in the bike when the bike's unattended.

 

[flecc]

Have a look on 50cycles site at the luggage section. Theres a rack top pack, a bar bag with a quick detachable fitting, though that might be awkward with the cables in the way. There's also the Raleigh small pannier pair that's like Dutch panniers with a bridging piece of material which straddles the rack on the bike. That can be slightly cut away to allow the sprung holder on the rack to hold down the pannier pair onto the bike. Here's the link.

I have a pair of Altura panniers which cycle dealers often stock, and they come in various sizes. All have sprung hook type clip-ons at the top which give instant release, and also a carrying loop handle for when off the bike. They can be used singly and I often do that.

As for the key, I put it into a least used trouser side pocket deep down where it's safe. Some key rings have quick spring clip type attachment and they make it easy to add on a key if you put a small loop or ring onto the eZee key to ease it's temporary addition. This is the type of key ring clip I'm referring to:

.

 

[Ian]

I have an Altura rack bag, while it's not as big as most panniers it's plenty big enough for the waterproofs, sarnies, drinks camera and locks that I typically carry and has side pockets that expand to form mini panniers. A fixing platform fixes to the rack with velcro straps and the bag attaches to this with 3 QR clips. the top strap forms a shoulder carrying strap when off the bike. Not particularlly cheap but well thought out and made.

I just have a single ring attached to the bike key which I use to attach it to a clip on my main key ring when off the bike, similar to the one illustrated above by flecc.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Ortlieb's stuff is very good, reputed to be some of the best on the market (but also the most expensive). I have a pair of the back rollers... heres there site here

 

[FatMog]

great minds...

Like others, I also have an altura rack pack - it's a smaller version but it's amazing what I can cram in! And I found some nice, small and sturdy stainless steel yachting clip things (like tiny carabiners) on ebay so I can detach all my keys from the ignition key when it's in the bike, but join them all up for convenience when necessary.

 

[Sector]

Buckle

I use a good quality 20mm side release buckle to clip my keys to my keyring. It is easy to operate with cold gloved hands, doesn't rattle, and you can have more clips anywhere else you might want to keep your keys.

Pete (Sector)

 

[Haku]

On a related note, what do you do with the ignition key? I can't remove it from the bike when the ignition is on, and I don't like all my other keys to dangle from the side of the bike, so I don't keep it on my usual key-ring. Nor do I like to leave it in the bike when the bike's unattended.

I have discovered the perfect solution to that problem. I've been using Photon Micro Lights for years, the Photon Freedom Micro is best keychain torches I've ever seen & owned (lifetime guarantee is nice too), one of the accessories for it is a lanyard with a clip on it, so I took the one off my older version (I use the Freedom Micros only now) and put it on my keychain:

Works like a charm! very difficult to accidentally or even intently pull the key out of it's grip so it's very safe on your keyring. PhotonLight.co.uk also sell them (I got stung with customs when ordering over £30 worth from the .com site a couple of months ago)