Showing posts with label commuter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commuter. Show all posts

2/12/2012

Bushwhacker Westwood - Commuter Bag Full Length Garment Bag Pannier Review

Bushwhacker Westwood - Commuter Bag Full Length Garment Bag Pannier
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am a 100% bicycle commuter. Initially when I stated biking to work I would drive in on the weekend and drop off a week's worth of clothes, then do the walk of shame as I went upstairs into my office filled with professional individuals in shirts and ties in my bike gear, grab my clothes, then head down to the gym. I needed a solution.
This bag was the solution. The bag is a very sturdy (ie..fairly heavy) design that straddles the rear rack of your bicycle. It secures to the rack lip (near the seat post) and there are two steel hooks on the inside to hook onto the rack. I have a sun rider rack and it mounts with absolute no issue.
Point of Note: The picture of the bag improperly shows how clothes are placed in the bag. They lie across the entire length of the bag, not tucked into one side.
The positives:
I am 6'4" with 36 inch inseam pants. I have to fold them at the top in order to fit the bag, but they come out looking as if they are fresh off the ironing board.
Shirts fit easily.
There are two huge zipper pockets inside to hold underwear, socks, undershirts, etc... then there are two fold pockets behind those that you can hold important documents you don't want folded.
There are two large pockets on the outside of the bag that can hold anything from my size 14 shoes to an Ipad easily. It can hold an 11" laptop as well, but not my wife's 17".
Sturdy: The inner support appears to be a very thick cardboard that is very sturdy.
Seemingly waterproof - I waited to write this review until I experienced the bag in rain. It was a total downpour this morning and I was nervous because if the bag leaked. I would be soaked. It performed perfectly. I could feel a very slight dampness on the inside of the outside pockets, but my clothes and a paperback book I had in out of the outside pockets were bone dry when I got to work.
Reflective strips on the outside of the bag are very useful and functional.
The negatives:
Pockets and Organization: There is amazing space, but little organization. If I were to design the bag, I would add a key hook, a small zippered pocket somewhere, and maybe compartmentalize one of the large outside pockets. I have had to alter my storage methods to prevent everything just being thrown in the bottom of the large pockets.
Weight: There is always a balance between being sturdy and being light. This bag is heavy. I would be nervous mounting this on a true road bike fully loaded, with my added 220lb weight as well. If you weigh 140lbs this may not be an issue. But I am already a hefty guy for my poor bike. I have had zero issues, so this criticism may be extremely unfair on my part.
Spacing: The clothing section needs to be a little deeper to accommodate several days of clothes. I can only really carry 1, maybe two days of clothes, then the bag stops folding correctly for me. I would love to be able to take three days worth of clothes with me and just ride bag less the other days. But a smaller person, with smaller clothes may not have my issue.
Overall I am extremely happy with the bag. The name is silly and I get teased by co-workers. But when they see it on the bike, they immediately say that is the coolest idea they have ever seen.
If you have to dress professionally and still want to bike to work this is the bag for you


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1/04/2012

Delta Cycle Megarack Ultra Combo and Delta Day Bag Review

Delta Cycle Megarack Ultra Combo and Delta Day Bag
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
There's no getting around having to get creative with your mounting of rear racks sometimes - my frame is wider than most. I purchased Delta's oversized clamps for the stays of my GMC Denali. I had to attach in a funky but sturdy way with 3 screws instead of 2. I'll explain that in my review of the clamps, as most won't use those clamps. But when all is said in done, this is the best rack on Amazon in this price range. I know because I returned the other ones. The hardware is strong and reliable. I was able to amount a Cateye rear tail light and my reflector to the back. I'd recommend this rack over all others.
The bag: Well....the bag isn't as great as I thought it would be. I don't expect it to last very long - at least the folding panniers. My bag arrived damaged with holes at the seams of the panniers. I'll have my girlfriend sew/stitch it, but I'll probably not want to load much in them. I doubt a replacement will have stronger stitching. To specify it's the folding panniers that are cheap. The rest of the bag is sturdy and good quality. If you're just putting a shirt, socks and light pants in those side compartments - should be fine. I wouldn't put a can of soup or anything that heavy (if groceries are your desire) - as the threading will eventually rip.
If your load is light - go for it. If you're serious about carrying more stuff - get a more expensive pannier.
I like the look of it. My bike is yellow and black, so this works out nice. Cars gave me more room on the road too, because it's very eye catching.

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12/14/2011

Schwinn Network 7 Women's Hybrid Bike (700C Wheels) Review

Schwinn Network 7 Women's Hybrid Bike (700C Wheels)
Average Reviews:

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I ordered this bike after trying for about 3 weeks to get Amazon to ship me the Schwinn Discovery. I'm happy to say that it is a good bike, even though it wasn't what I originally wanted. It is a bit heavy, but not so much that it's difficult to get up and down the stairs of my apartment. It provides a smooth ride even over bumps. I'm used to riding mountain bikes so it took a bit of getting used to, but now I'm in love. Also the bike is a bit large, I'm just under 5'5 and it's very nearly too big for me(I have to drop the seat all the way down) so if you're a shorter woman this may not be your cycle of choice. I'm also a big fan of the fact that the rear rack matches the bike so it doesn't look like an after thought. It also makes the bike great for a commuter.I would have given a full five stars, but when I received and assembled my bike the wheels were not true and there were some issues with the gearing. I had to take it to my local sporting goods store to have it adjusted because those things were beyond my skill set. Now if I can find a good set of panniers or a basket to mount on the back rack I'm all set.

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Steel ladies city frame with comfort geometry for an upright, comfortable riding position and SR Suntour suspension fork to smooth the road and increase control Schwinn sweptback bar with adjustable stem for upright position and Sram Grip Shift shifter for fast, easy gear changes 7speeds with Shimano TX-31 rear derailleur for quick shifts and Promax alloy linear pull brakes for precise stopping SR Suntour alloy 3 piece cranks offer optimum gearing and alloy rims allow for easy rolling Schwinn Quality padded saddle softens ride while fenders and rear carrier provide clean, easy city riding

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