Transportation suggestions for bicyclist.

[evule]

My 15" T42 will be arriving soon, hopefully, and when it does, I want to be ready. As in, I want to have some way of confidently transporting it. My biggest problem in finding ideal packaging it is that I ride a bike to work every day. I am not an incompetent bicyclist, and I don't anticipate tumbling on the ground at 40 mph, but within reason, [censored] does happen, and I definitely don't want my soon-to-be thinkpad to get damaged in a minor fall.
So:
a) I definitely want a backpack (I know many people out there use messenger bags, but they really aren't comfortable on a road bike).
b) I don't want it to be unnecessarily bulky - again, comfort of riding my bike is on the line here.
c) I want to be at ease about the security of my thinkpad.

Does anyone have similar needs and have found a good solution?
I still haven't figured out whether I should try to get a laptop backpack, or a sleeve and a normal backpack, or a sleeve and a laptop backpack...
I am inclined to think that a sleeve is a good idea, whether I go for a laptop backpack or not.
Which leads me to three questions:
1) What sleeve recommendations do you have, given that I want a sturdy one? (is zeroshock as functional as it is sexy? or are there better alternatives?)
2) If I get a sleeve, does it make sense to get a laptop backpack on top of that?
3) If yes to #2, Are there any laptop backpacks that would fit a 15" T42 in a sleeve, and still be a reasonable size?

What I really want is someone to make a decision for me, I had enough trouble deciding on a tp configuration.

Ed

[edelrc]

I have the same issue as you because I will riding a motorbike to work too.

I wish I knew for certain what is the best option for us, but the truth is that I could not find any studies into this matter.
What probably is the best for a cyclist is a backpack with a combination of a hard-and-soft sleeve protection for a 15" screen laptop.
I purchased a Swiss Army Webpak. It has a professional look but also can be a backpak... not an easy combination to find. Then is has a sleeve with a hard surface and a softer inside and some sort of well designed suspension system inside... the best protection you can get indeed. I got mine for $145 a year ago and it came with a free $1500 theft protection warranty. The only problem with this bag is that it's a bit heavy but well worth it if you want your laptop covered.
See pics here http://www.luggageonline.com/product.cf ... D=39&tab=0

[vrs626]

i just bought a messenger bag from timbuk2 and love it...they have a backpack-type bag too

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/catalog/cate ... tegoryId=9

[GXCross]

I have a 15" T42, and commute to work as well on a hybrid bike. However, I also carry a Canon 10D SLR Camera to work, so I needed a camera + laptop backpack. I use a Lowepro Rover AW II, which is a great backpack in terms of comfort. I then use a Jansport Server sleeve/insert, which fits perfectly in the bag and is an exact fit for the 15" T42. I've found the waist and chest straps to be really helpful to keep the backpack steady while riding. The Crumpler laptop backpacks look very promising too.

[ian]

I bought a car

[evule]

First of all, thanks a lot for all of your replies.

I purchased a Swiss Army Webpak. It has a professional look but also can be a backpak

That's a pretty keen device, I probably should have mentioned it earlier, but I also prefer that whatever bag I find look incognito: I'd rather it not scream "I have a $3000 computer inside!" It seems that my demands are increasing to the point where a viable solution can't be found.

I've looked at the timbuk2 backpack, but it seems less convenient than an actual backpack... Perhaps it's because I've had crappy messenger bags in the past and am scarred from the experience, but that organization style seems to be rather inflexible.

I use a Lowepro Rover AW II

If I had a camera, I would buy one in a jiffy (or as quickly as I could gather the funds). With their weatherproofing and other really nifty protective features, they seem rather perfect. However, the price is quite steep, and the various lens compartments would really be a waste of space.

I bought a car

I have a car. I've been considering stopping biking to work and driving instead for the sake of the laptop, but I really do prefer to bike. Plus, biking is faster: I can get to the lab in about the time that it takes me to park some ungodly distance away and walk there. On top of all that there is a lot of traffic that slows cars down to bicycle speed.

Again, thanks a lot for all of your help. Although I probably won't be buying any of the aforementioned products, I am at least somewhat reassured that my trouble finding an ideal solution is due to it's conspicuous absence.
If anyone has any suggestions for a laptop sleeve, or a review of the zeroshock sleeve, please let me know.