CCW Gear For Bicycle Commuting

[HM2PAC]

With the rise in gas prices I have decided to try and save a few bucks by riding a bicycle to work a few days a week. I live in a very rural area and commute to a small city. The trip is about 15+ miles and the bike has down-turned handlebars like a regular roadbike.

I have to carry a small bag as it is for the sundry things I need at work. Presently I use one of Dillon's bags with a handgun compartment. This won't work for a bicycle though.

I need a backpack that is small, will not move around too much, and allows me to CCW.


I usually carry a 1911 or USP, and always have a back-up magazine or 2.

Any recommendations?

 

[Siderite]

Many of the hydration backpacks on the market will meet your criteria, but I've yet to find one that allows a timely draw. Thi issue comes from wanting a bag that doesn't move much (which usually entails chest and waist straps for stability) and then being able to access it quickly, which is hard.

I can recommend staying away from using a rack on your bike to attach your dillon bag, as that separates the bag (and gun) from you.

 

[LawofThirds]

Safariland, Blackhawk, Maxpedition and 5.11 all have "bandolier" style bags that would seem to fit snugly to your body, have lots of compartments and have a dedicated handgun pocket.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=21&idproduct=384

I don't have that one but a friend of mine does and he's been very pleased with it from what I can tell.

 

[Dismantler]

Get a fanny pack, either a generic or one specially made for your gun. As a bike commuter, this will not look too out of place.

 

[AKCOP]

I use a hydration pack, doesn't raise an eyebrow from folks and allows me to carry wallet and cell phone as well.

 

[yhtomit]

I am on a quest for the perfect bag as well, because I now have a company issued laptop which makes me a bit nervous, since it's the most expensive computer I've owned in many years. Consulting with my coworkers and others has led me to the maker Tom Bihn (tombihn.com) ; at a company meeting last week, I tried several Tom Bihn bags owned by various of my coworkers, and they drip quality. (Not cheap, though.)

Some of them are conventional backpacks, but the messenger bags are also available with stabilizing straps to turn them into back-huggers, not just flopping-around.

Dunno if they fit your true needs or budget, but just suggesting you may want to check them out. I'm pleased to learn that the factory is in Seattle -- I hope that when I complete my move across country to visit the store there as well. This is one of those companies like Lands' End or Nordstrom where the owners seem prepared to go into battle to promote them, because of the quality, attitude and customer service. (One of my coworkers showed me a bag -- disclaimer, I ended up buying it from him -- which is of a previous generation Tom Bihn bag, which has snaps rather than clips for holding an internal laptop pouch. When he ordered one of these pouches, and explained that, Tom Bihn sewed on the snaps, so the pouch works now with both new and old bags. And by that I mean that Tom Bihn -- the person -- sewed on the snaps.)

I'm sure there are or could be better bags, but I am quite taken by these, and am thinking about getting one of the messenger bags (Ego, or SuperEgo) to carry the laptop when a bigger backpack is the wrong choice.

They're certainly not designed for CCW, but that might be a good thing.

timothy

 

[Pat-inCO]

Try the "Safe Packer". It's available from Dillon and the manufacturer (also in AZ). It looks like a slightly small bicycle messenger bag, fits ON the belt and does a very nice job of holding the gun and a little bit of other stuff. - - About $60.

 

[IrvJr]

HM2PAC - that's great that you are bike commuting. I don't usually CCW when I ride, but if I did CCW when I rode all of the time, I would consider getting a Camelback Goblin fannypack. It's designed for CCW,

http://www.officerstore.com/store/p..._28_oz_0_8l/?gclid=CKfIyoatg5MCFRW5GgodhgUfHA

(or go to http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm and look under the Law Enforcement products)

I don't like wearing backpacks or even bandolier/messenger style bags while riding. My back gets too hot if I wear a backpack and the bandolier/messenger bags often move down towards my legs when I'm riding and bump and interfere with my thighs. The Maxpedition bandolier-type bags don't look too bad, but with a heavy gun like a USP or 1911, it might not be as stable for riding as a butt pack.

Good luck with your commute. The safepacker is good too, but if you meet a fellow gun guy, he might recognize it as a holster. I'd go with the goblin or some generic fannypack holster or even just a plain old fanny pack.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I used to bike commute in Los Angeles, first from Huntington Park to downtown (31 miles round trip), then later from Huntington Park to San Pedro (63 miles round trip).

I went armed (illegally) in my commutes downtown because I had to go through some pretty rancid neighborhoods on that run.
I used an old Boy Scout pack with cylindrical webbing, with my weapons inside the tube and my schoolbooks in the bag.
I used the same pack on my runs to San Pedro, though it only held my work clothes and a radio.

The longer San Pedro run went through rougher neighborhoods (like Compton), but, since I could stay on the flood control roads along the LA River most of the way, it was actually a safer run. I only got shot at once, and that was from a skeet range in Downey. The backpack took almost all the damage, although it broke the frame of the radio.

Quite a ride!

 

[jlbraun]

I wouldn't off-body carry. Is there any reason why a regular IWB doesn't work? I carry on rides all the time with just a regular IWB.

I have the Goblin and don't really like it. It flops around too much.

 

[Cosmoline]

IWB is difficult when there is no waistband or when your waistband goes from cycling clothes to work to cycling every day. Plus I find it deeply annoying to have anything interfering with free hip movement during cycling.

I like either pocket carry in a jacket or for summer my own hybrid shoulder rig with a light weight covering shirt.

 

[jlbraun]

IWB is difficult when there is no waistband or when your waistband goes from cycling clothes to work to cycling every day. Plus I find it deeply annoying to have anything interfering with free hip movement during cycling.

I like either pocket carry in a jacket or for summer my own hybrid shoulder rig with a light weight covering shirt.

Indeed. If you're wearing bike shorts that's different. But in regular clothes I have no problem carrying IWB.

 

[HM2PAC]

Thanx for all the replies.

The camelback and maxpedition bags look like good options. The Tom Bihn bags I still need to check out.

Fannypacks are out.

I would rather carry IWB, but my job requires scrubs and close personal interaction with people and co-workers. So I must carry off-body.

Another option for me may be to switch over to the SP101. But in truth, the 1911 conceals for me a little better.

 

[MDG1976]

The camelback and maxpedition bags look like good options.

I'm a big fan of both Camelbak and Maxpedition but I'd recommend a Camelback since they are designed to be worn while cycling.

 

[rrruuunnn]

i just bought a laptop bicycle messenger bag.

 

[Pat-inCO]

Just remembered: Kelty, of backpack and mountaineering fame was commissioned to make a diagonal pack to be worn in front. It has a nice compartment specifically for carry. I think it's in the $60 to $75 range.