I want to bike to work instead of drive my car to work. I am wondering if there are saddlebags that are especially good for this. I have a Topeak brand, MTX "trunk bag" which fastens to the top of a Topeak rear rack, and on good weather days I can probably stuff some dress clothes into the drop-down side bags. The design of the "Trunk bag" is such that I can't use true saddlebags, however.
I don't have my "bike legs" yet. Yesterday I did bring home about 10-15 pounds of groceries in the "trunk bag" and my legs definitely felt this extra weight. That is fine, I will get used to it, but for commuting purposes I would still like 3 qualities in a "bag": lightweight, waterproof, easy to get on or off the bike.
I have two side baskets and one basket on top the rack. They are metal, but I don't think they are heavy. The side baskets fit a paper grocery sack perfectly, so any bag you have that fits in that size would work with these kind of baskets. The top basket is small and plastic, just a purse and lock carrier so I don't have to unfold a side basket if I'm not carrying much.
@DancingLady, thank you very much. Are your baskets a particular brand? Can you please post a picture of your bicycle? I know some other forum members have trouble uploading cell phone photos, so don't feel you have to do this for me.
