Cycling in and around Birmingham England

Laptop Bags

Work have deemed me worthy of a laptop. I always tend to do a bit of shopping on my lunch so not sure it would always fit in my rucksack for the trip back home.

Can anybody recommend a laptop bag that's not going to bash against my side, not going to interfere with my legs when I'm pedalling and I could use as well as having a rucksack on my back? If it looks nice, all the better!

Ryan

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Permalink Reply by Harry Starling on January 17, 2012 at 21:12

Have a look at rucksack type camera bags from Crumpler, Kata, LowePro probably lots of others too. These all have laptop compartments in them and most of the time the camera sections just velcro in so you can either remove them or use them, whichever suits you...

Better than dedicated laptop bags which can be a really obvious target for bad people who want a free laptop too!

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Permalink Reply by LS on January 17, 2012 at 21:20

Panniers ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Stait on January 17, 2012 at 21:27

Wanted to avoid if possible. Prefer the weight on my back rather than the bike

LS said:

Panniers ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Donna Norford on January 17, 2012 at 21:28

Have a look a the Knog Franks Dog 15" Messenger

it can be used as a messenger bag or pannier

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/31616/Knog-Franks-Dog-Portrait-Messen...

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on January 17, 2012 at 22:15

Could I suggest you leave the Laptop at work ?

Unless you're going to be paid for working at home and also claim part of your household expenses against tax.

;-)

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Permalink Reply by Sarah-Jane on January 18, 2012 at 9:11

I use panniers with a very padded case for my Macbook when I'm on my bike but if you're looking for a back pack with some style, Muji on New St do a great bag that has a padded section for a laptop, several pockets and three types of detachable handle - brief case, shoulder bag or back pack. I use mine for work as I walk a lot and find it easier on my back.

If you do work from home, but aren't actually self employed so don't what to start keeping massively detailed accounts like I have to do, BECTU guidelines state you can claim £3 per week against tax without raising any eyebrows. You'll still have to do a self assessment tax return though - shouldn't be too complicated and you might even find a few things you can offset.

As my panniers are beginning to disintegrate, I'll looking to replace with a brief case/laptop style pannier that doubles as shoulder bag.

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Permalink Reply by Darren Cash on January 18, 2012 at 9:17

I second Andy White. Leave the laptop at work.

Unless you really NEED the laptop at home and HAVE to do some work from home then leave it in the office (locked to the desk).

If you do need to lug it back and forth....

I used to pop my laptop in a neoprene laptop sleeve for protection, inside a good old plastic bag for waterproofing and drop it in my saddle bag.

If you ended up with a laptop filled with unnecessary bits then take them out. e.g. cd drive - leave it in the drawer.

Plastic fillers in SD Card slots, PCMCIA slots etc.. - Leave in the desk.

Battery - leave it where most appropriate (office or home or get a spare).

Power supply - get a spare leaving one at work and one at home.

Mouse - one at work , and one at home.

If you don't like panniers, a carradice saddle bag (Nelson Longflap) is a really good option combined with the SQR release. Easy to remove when you don't want it. If you try it, you might stop using your rucksack.

Darren.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Stait on January 18, 2012 at 10:09

Thanks for all of the replies. Some interesting stuff to think about

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Permalink Reply by MickL on January 18, 2012 at 10:13

I use the proviz rucksack to carry my laptop about, its just about fits my work laptop because its large one (17" monster) but smaller ones fit fine and the rucksack is waterproof and well padded, plus ideal for commuting thanks to it flashing blue triangle which gets you noticed :D but they have given me a PC a work now so laptop stops at home encase I called out or work from home.

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on January 18, 2012 at 11:02

Another thought...

if you really do need to work at home and lug a device with you, perhaps you could ask for something smaller? A notebook?, an iPad?, a smartphone?

Organisations really should be thinking more creatively if they need a mobile workforce. Laptops are just so last week!

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Permalink Reply by CKS on January 18, 2012 at 12:13

I'd avoid anything that looks explicitly like a laptop bag - you might as well hang a piece of cardboard around your neck with the words 'MUG ME' written on it.