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Why not let your bike carry your belongings? A guide to bags for baskets and racks

Hello. I'm Baki, and I love dressing light.

Even when I'm not riding my bike, I'm basically always on the move, and I'm the type who spends most of my time in a tank top and thinks the lighter the luggage, the better. Ideally, I wouldn't want to carry anything at all, lol.

I recently switched my everyday wallet to the compact MINIMALIGHT Play Wallet Leather.

Because it fits in my drawstring bag. It's small, yet elegant. It's perfect.

For someone like me, the real dilemma on my daily commute is what to do about my bag.

Until now, I've been using Voile Straps to attach a messenger bag to my rack.

But it's surprisingly tedious, and detaching it is no quick task.
Plus, I always worry about it falling off while I'm riding.
On a commute ride where every second counts, that could be fatal... I can't be late!

So lately, I've been trying out various ways to carry my bag,
and I've found these to be particularly effective:

・Basket-in style
・Attaching it directly to the rack

These two.

This time, let me introduce these two bag styles!

Excellent stability. Basket-in style

If you already have a basket, don't you need a special bag for it?
You might hear someone say that, but no, that's not the case.

With a basket and net combination, your belongings certainly won't fall out.
But every time you go over a bump, your belongings will toss around inside the net.

It's a waste to lose focus on your ride because you're worried about your belongings!
That's too bad!

What frees you from that stress is a bag that fits in your basket!

Most of them are designed to fit the WALD137 and 139, which are consistently popular at Circles.

These bags come with straps on the bottom or sides to secure them, so they stay firmly in place without bouncing around while you ride.

Also, with a tote-style bag, you can use it as your everyday bag even after taking it off your bike, which is another great advantage.

This is a highly recommended style that gives you both stability and convenience!

Easy to get started with. A bag that attaches to your rack!

Racks are popular and look cool as a style.
But when it comes to carrying luggage, most people end up tying it directly to the rack with straps, just like me.

While it's convenient to get by with just one strap, it's not suitable for carrying valuables or items that can easily lose their shape. (Or for intense commuters like me.)

That's where a bag with straps for attaching it to your rack comes in handy.

Because you can secure the bag itself firmly, you can attach and detach it almost instantly, and there's no worry about your belongings falling out through the gaps in the straps.

In fact, it often shares features with the basket-in style bag I introduced earlier.
A size that fits perfectly in a WALD basket naturally pairs well with a rack.

That said, some people still say, "I don't want to attach a basket!"

  • I want to carry things that can only be carried on a rack
  • I just like the look of a rack
  • I don't carry things that often, so I don't need a basket...

Everyone has their own reasons.

That's exactly why a bag that can be attached directly to your rack is recommended for people like that!

What kind of bags are there?

Circles has a wide selection of bags designed for racks and baskets.
Let me introduce some of the different shapes available!

SIMWORKS

From our very own SIMWORKS, I'd like to introduce the Tomo Tote Bag.

It's a size that fits perfectly in a Wald137 basket.

One of this bag's features is how easy it is to use in everyday life.
It's a tote style that's easy to take into cafes and other places.
And because the entire bag is lined with cushioning material, it will protect your belongings from minor vibrations.

It also has one of the largest capacities in the lineup.
But because it's a roll-top style, you can also make it smaller.
If you're looking for an all-purpose bag,
this is perfect!

OUTER SHELL

From OUTER SHELL, I'd like to introduce two different styles.

First, the striking OUTER SHELL Rack Bag.

While there is a model made for the WALD 137 basket, the one I'm introducing this time is designed for the slightly larger WALD139 size.

You can stuff it into a basket, or use the adjustable mounting straps to attach it to a variety of racks from other manufacturers.

Above all, it has an incredible capacity.

The weather-resistant fabric also protects your belongings securely. That's another great advantage.

Next, the OUTER SHELL Everyday Tote.

As the name suggests, this is very different from the Rack Bag and is mainly for everyday use!

The side straps allow you to secure it firmly to a basket, making it perfect for getting around by bike. Of course, you can use it attached to a basket, but it's also great for everyday shopping or short outings.

But even for everyday use, OUTER SHELL doesn't cut corners.

The handles are made from climbing rope, which is trusted and actually used by Kyle, the creator of OUTER SHELL.

The fabric used is also weather-resistant, just like the Rack Bag.

For those who ride their bikes in the rain and wind.

This bag is perfectly named the Everyday Tote!

TEMBEA

TEMBEA is a bag brand that creates everyday items, including bags and apparel, with a focus on simplicity and design.

The canvas is made from thick cotton that can withstand tough use, with a paraffin coating for added waterproofing. It has a simple look, but you can add wrinkles and love it for a long time.

It's the perfect brand for those who want to nurture their own bag!

Let me introduce two types of bags made by TEMBEA for the WALD137!

First, the Roll Top Tote Nylon For Wald137.
This style is appealing because of its simple design and large capacity.
You can roll it up to make it compact, and you can also enjoy the creases that remain after the paraffin coating dries.

When unfolded, it can fit even more large items!
The roll-top strap can also be used as a shoulder strap if you get creative. It's a roll-top bag that's perfect for shopping and carrying large items!

Next, the Zip Tote For 137.

This model is very straightforward, with a zipper that lets you open and close it to protect your belongings.
It seems perfect for people who want to quickly take things out while waiting for a traffic light or who always carry the same amount!

The name TEMBEA means "wanderer". Why not ride freely through the city or nature with a bag that makes you want to take it out and explore!

Finally, a brand that might be a bit unusual for bags? SHIMANO

SHIMANO Cooler Bag Pro


This bag might be the most unusual of all.
After all, SHIMANO doesn't sell it as a basket bag.

The SHIMANO soft cooler bag series offers cooling performance comparable to a hard cooler box for leisure activities and fishing.

Among the various sizes, the S size fits perfectly in the Wald 137, and the M size fits perfectly in the Wald 139.

Was it a coincidence, or was it planned all along...?

The included strap is also positioned as if to say, "Attach it here."

Because the insulation material is thick and cushioned, it's durable, but it's also great for carrying heavy items that you don't want to carry on your back
or other fragile items.

It has excellent cooling performance, so you can even carry fresh food (because it's a cooler box, of course.)

It's perfect for everyday shopping, and it will also be very useful for carrying meat to a riverside barbecue ride.

Bicycle × cooler box
It's an unexpected combination, so please give it a try!

Everyone's own style of carrying

How was it?

There are so many different bags that it's hard to choose!

If you're not sure, please feel free to ask us at the store anytime.
Let's find the perfect bag together!

Thank you!



Items mentioned in this article

Daishi Yamada

Baki

Daishi Yamada

I’m called Baki. I meant to say "I’m incredibly nervous," but what came out was "I’m bakibaki (stiff/pumped)!" It ended up becoming my nickname. I’ll pedal as hard as I’ve eaten!

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