The tips below will make the transportation of a laptop on a bicycle safer and more comfortable.
1. Switch from a standard hard drive to a Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Regardless of how you store your laptop during transportation, it will always be subject to vibrations. The most vulnerable part would be the hard drive but only if it’s older and contains moving parts.
For that reason, it’s recommended to replace the hard drive with an SSD. SSDs have no moving parts and aren’t affected by road vibrations. They are also silent and faster.
If your laptop is fairly new, it more than likely has an SSD. But even if it doesn’t, SSDs have become cheap. Check the specs of your laptop online.
2. Purchase a hard case for your laptop
Around 2019, I began commuting to work with my laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad X220). My first setup was incredibly simple. I would put the laptop in a hard case and tighten it to the rear rack of my hardtail with cargo straps. (Sometimes I would put the case in a backpack.)
Eventually, I switched to a front rack but never stopped using the hard case. I recommended keeping the hard case even when using an additional backpack or panniers. (Get a hard case with a smaller profile so that you don’t have to carry a massive backpack or pannier with you.)
Possible Carrying Combinations
- Front rack + Hard case
For a long time, I transported my laptop by simply strapping either the case (the one above) or my backpack to my homemade front rack.
The benefits of this approach are:
1. You can see the laptop at all times. If it’s about to fall, you can readjust the holding straps. Also, it’s harder for the laptop to get stolen.
If it’s on a rear rack, however, both outcomes are very real. Since a laptop isn’t very heavy, it can easily fall without the rider feeling anything. Of course, if there isn’t a lot of traffic around you and/or wind, you will probably hear the fall.
2. Front racks are usually wider and have a platform making it easier to secure a laptop. Meanwhile, rear racks are narrow. This issue can be circumvented by strapping a wooden box or a milk crate to the rear rack.
- Front Rack + Basket/Milk Crate
It’s also possible to zip-tie or bolt on a wire basket or a milk crate to the front rack and use it as a bеd for the laptop’s hard case.
This approach has two main advantages. First, the laptop would be more secure from external stress in case of a fall. Second, you don’t need to attach it as tightly since the basket/crate offers extra stability/protection.
- Front Pannier(s)
Another option is to put the laptop in a front pannier attached to a front rack with pannier rails. This approach has the same benefits as the platform rack plus a lower center of gravity.
That said, I prefer to use a platform rack for two reasons:
a. I rarely carry enough stuff to fill two panniers. Consequently, I have to ride with one pannier which creates an imbalance and hurts the bike’s handling.
b. Front panniers are more difficult to access when you are on the bike.
- Handlebar Bag
If you have a fairly small laptop, you can also put it in a handlebar bag. This method gives all the benefits of a front rack without forcing you to use one. Thus, you end up saving weight and keeping your bike setup simple and clean.
The downside is that it will be a challenge to find a handlebar bag that’s large enough to fit a laptop plus a case. If you have drop bars, you might just as well forget about it because the bars are already too narrow to accept a large bag.
- Rear rack
Another option would be the classic rear rack. The advantage of this approach is that the vast majority of commuting bicycles have eyelets for a rear rack making the installation easier.
The downside is that you can’t see the cargo. Consequently, it can fall off if not secured properly or get stolen.
As with the front rack, you can zip-tie a basket or a small crate to the rear rack. This method will increase the level of protection and support.
- Rear pannier(s)
Rear panniers are a classic that has proven to work very well. Unlike the rack-only option, you don’t have to worry as much about losing your cargo because most panniers of good quality attach strongly to the rack.
It’s recommended to get a rear rack with pannier rails to lower the center of gravity.
Rear panniers have two downsides:
- You can’t see them.
- Uneven loading will affect the bike’s handling.
- Saddlebag
This is my second favorite option. I have a Carradice quick-release bag that is just big enough for my 12.5″ laptop. The advantages of this approach is that the handling is not affected (unlike using a handlebar bag), and you don’t have to worry about uneven loading. As a bonus, saddlebags of good quality are waterproof or at least highly water resistant.
In my case, I can attest that the Carradice bag is waterproof. I’ve biked through storms with it without experiencing leakage. The secret is the so-called Duck cotton which waterproofs itself.
The image above shows my Carradice SQR bag. I used to commute with it on my hardtail. It’s solid, waterproof, and just big enough for my 12.5″ laptop. A bigger laptop can fit too, but probably not bigger than 15″.
However, it had one downside – the laptop would move inside when there wan’t other luggage.
My solution was to slide a cargo strap under the bag’s wall and use it to secure the laptop.
Table Summary
| Transportation Method | Pros | Cons |
| Front rack platform | Constant visibility Balanced loading Easy access to the cargo | Higher center of gravity (the rack and the cargo affect the bike’s handling) |
| Front pannier | Constant visibility Lower center of gravity Easy access Dedicated attachment system Waterproofed (potentially) | Uneven loading unless another pannier is used Taking the panniers on and off could be annoying |
| Front rack + basket | Constant visibility Balanced loading Easy access to the cargo Extra protection during a fall | Higher center of gravity (the rack and the cargo affect the bike’s handling The rack and the basket add a lot of weight |
| Handlebar bag | Constant visibility Balanced loading Easy access No need for a rack Waterproofed (potentially) Lightweight | Most bags are not big enough Does not work with drop bars Removing the bag to prevent theft could be annoying Could interfere with brake levers or shifters |
| Rear rack platform | Rear racks are easier to find The handling is not affected | The cargo isn’t visible and can fall off or get stolen High center of gravity |
| Rear panniers | Lower center of gravity Readily available Waterproofed (potentially) | Uneven loading unless using 2 panniers The cargo is not visible Taking the panniers on and off could be annoying |
| Saddlebag | Stable handling Balanced loading No need for racks Waterproofed (potentially) | Most bags are not big enough Removing the bag to prevent theft could be annoying (quick-release bags fix this issue) |
A Note On Waterproofing
A laptop can easily be damaged if it gets wet. Thus, it’s best to prevent this outcome. The options are:
- Thick Nylon Bag
If you don’t have access to anything else, putting the laptop case in a thick nylon bag (the kind used for groceries) is the fastest and simplest way to protect the machine from water. Provided that the entire case is covered, this setup will protect the laptop in small rains. You can also add an additional nylon bag for extra security.
That said, if you intend on biking through storms, you will need a better solution.
- Rain Cover
If you’re transporting your laptop in a case that then goes in a backpack, you can simply put a rain cover on the backpack.
- Waterproofed Swimming Bag
Another option is to put the case in a waterproof swimming bag. Swimming bags are essentially waterproofed drawstring bags.
- Waterproofed Panniers
Some panniers are 100% waterproofed and will protect the laptop even during storms. Others are water resistant and come with rain covers. Naturally, they don’t offer as much protection, but in most cases, it will be enough.
FAQ: Should I use straps or bungee cords?
Straps with strong buckles offer more security and do not stretch over time. Moreover, they secure the cargo to the bike more tightly and prevent movement in all directions. This will not only decrease the chance of seeing your laptop fall on the ground but reduce vibrations too.
You don’t have to buy some “bike-specific” straps. The standard car luggage straps at your local hardware store will do.
Since the straps will be quite long, it would be wise to cut them to a more appropriate length. Use a lighter to burn the cut end of the straps to cauterize it and prevent splitting.
Summary: What You Need To Know
- It’s recommended to replace your hard drive with an SSD because it has no moving parts and isn’t affected by road vibrations.
- Even if you plan to transport the laptop in a backpack or a pannier, it’s wise to get a hard (or semi-hard case).
- The main options for transportation are front rack, front panniers, rear rack, rear panniers, handlebar bag and saddlebag.
- The main advantage of front loading is that you can see the cargo at all times and there’s a smaller chance to lose it. The advantage of rear loading is that it doesn’t affect the bike’s handling as much. Also, rear racks are a lot more common and easy to find locally.
- The advantage of panniers is that they offer a lower center of gravity and a place to store the laptop. However, they can also cause uneven loading when using a single unit. In that case, the handling is hurt once again.
- Handlebar and saddle bags are also a good option that saves weight since there is no need for a rack. The main problem is finding one that can fit a laptop because most units are designed for transporting camping gear (e.g., clothes, tents…etc.)
- If you choose to secure your laptop to a rack, it’s wise to rely on cargo straps rather than bungee cords. The straps do not stretch and prevent unwanted vibrations.
