If you have been reading this thing you know I commute to work by bike. Which is fun, gets you faster on the bike, saves gas, you feel good, you feel better than the car drivers, etc… But the big laptop I have to carry in my courier bag is getting a bit annoying. Its digging in to my back and I am not digging it anymore.(hah!)
I have been covetting this pannier by Cannondale for a year now. But REI has it on sale for $59, and it usually goes for $120. I couldn’t pass it up.
I have been really impressed with Cannondale accessories lately. I picked up their Heavyweight jersey back in December and have worn it all winter. Its made well, wicks well and fits perfectly. I also ride a cannondale optimo cross, it my race rig and is probably the most comfortable bike I have ever owned.
But back on topic, the Cannondale CyPod pannier.
The run down
its actually made by knog:
has reflective piping:
Full rain cover built in to the zipped pocket on the bag
more rain cover, notice it covers the pannier really well:
that tucks away nicely:
The bag includes the now ubiquitous and handy klickfix attachment system.
It attaches with velcro and can flip down when used off the bike with the supplied shoulder strap.
I don’t think this velcro can possibly hold this bag on the bike for the long term. It just seems shoddy. I think I’ll probably drill a hole in the bag and attach it with a nut and bolt.
Inside has a padded compartment for a large laptop and plenty of room for a change of clothes.
So what I needed was a bag that could make a 12 mile ride, over a mix of singletrack and roads. It needed to carry a large dell 15.1″ screen laptop:
Plus some clothes for work, I leave dress pants and some shirts there, but I wanted to be able to bring a t-shirt, drawls, maybe a dress shirt, tools,tube,pump, cell phone and wallet. It does it without a problem
Conclusion
The manual lists a 20lb limit, which makes sense with the velcro rack attachment. I like the solid construction of the bag. I like the full coverage of the rain cover. The laptop fits in snugly (any bigger would not) and plenty of room for clothes. It looks great when you walk around the office too.
But its not worth buying.
You see the problem I have is heel interference because of the length of the pannier. The other problem, is a real show stopper. The bag attaches to the bottom of your rack with velcro. Well it does not hold when you ride over a speed bump. It just bounces around… I wanted to like it. So stick with the Ortlieb Classics, they work.
Description:
* Generously sized pannier
* Molded EVA Foam-waterproof, protects, insulates
* Integrated protective cover
* Includes a shoulder strap and built-in padded computer sleeve
* Reflective trim for safety
* Hardware fold away system to hide hardware when the bag is not on a bike
* Features a Rixen-Kaul® KlickFix attachment system
* Capacity: 880 Cubic Inches/14.4 Liters
And You can check out KNOG at there totally euro site currently playing some lily allen with a scantily glad chick
Thanks for the post on this bag. I just bought at a local bike shop for full retail $120 and THEN saw the REI sale. I’ll never learn.
Agree with you on the Velcro aspect of, both the top and bottom of it. Although I haven’t had any trouble and it seems to be holding well. But I do think the bottom velcro strap isn’t as strong as it should be. I’ll probably reinforce stability with a bungee cord.
One thing I do like about the design is the laptop kind of floats away from the bike and doesn’t absorb road shock.
In terms if hitting it with the back of the heel, I don’t have that problem and suspect that you bike may have a slightly shorter wheel base then mind or your rack is shorter. I think this particular issue vary from bike to bike.
Wish I had seen your write up before this purchase. I have been been looking for something like this, but this was an impulse buy.
Hey Patrick- You are right about the heel clearance being my bikes fault. It had really short chainstays and my new commuter there is no issue with any of my other panniers.
Oh its a cool pannier so I am sure you won’t regret it.
-Joe
How is this bag holding up? I think it has been a year since this review was posted and I am needing something like it for my large work laptop. Not many panniers seem to be able to hold one that is 11 x 15.5 in size…
You mentioned how the it latches with the Velcro. Is it still holding up for you?
Hey Clint – I switched to the Ortlieb Office Bag, and it holds a 15″ macbook pro with no problems. It has held up incredibly well for the year I have owned it.
If you are going to buy one, go for the Ortleib Office Bag: http://robonza.blogspot.com/2007/08/review-ortlieb-office-bag.html
-Joe
Thanks for replying!
I started looking at that site thanks to you. Also, you convinced me that other bag was not made to last long.
I was looking at the Roller Back Classic panniers since they seem like they are large enough, sold in a pair, and the price sounded decent. Can you recommend them for carrying a laptop, as well as my change of clothes and a place to stuff my gear and jacket when I need to strip it off?
I ride in a dry place and don’t plan to ride on wet days if that helps.
Thanks again!