Reddit reviews PowerTye 50152 Black 15"X15" Cargo Net featuring 6 Adjustable Hooks & Tight 2"x2" Mesh

https://tihk.co/collections/urban-survival-gear/products/hk2-handcuff-key

and/or

https://tihk.co/collections/urban-survival-gear/products/escape-stick

To help secure the bag(to keep people from trying to take items out of it when you're standing in line, or whatever) affix one of these to the bag. Cut the plastic hooks off, leaving the loops intact and then use zip ties or whatever works for you. You can add clips and such to make it removable or able to get under it. The idea is to slow people down, not stop access.

https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-50152-Black-featuring-Adjustable/dp/B0022ZXO40

You can add a tether to the bag itself to thwart people making off with it if you set it down to get inside:


Attach to bag and clip the carabiner to your belt. If someone grabs the bag and runs, he's in for a rude surprise.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond-Slinger-Leash/dp/B004JSGEN6

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FYI clif bars have about a 6 month shelf life. They get nasty if they get older than that.

If you decide to go cheap, you want a cargo net, not bungie cords. Will cost about $8.

Here's the cargo net I'm using. It's great. It stretches out to be huge so you can fit really big stuff on it (like 162 diapers) or smaller stuff (like a soccer ball)

https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-50152-Black-featuring-Adjustable/dp/B0022ZXO40

Here is what I'm using for the rack and for the [cargo netting I'm using a cheap one on amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022ZXO40/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1). The rack has been great so far but I'm not 100 on the netting juuusssst yet

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0022ZXO40/ref=psdc_3147767011_t1_B003VLBPJA

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Best solution, in my experience. This one has plastic hooks which is better to avoid scratches.

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Wrap it around the bottom of your passenger seat when not in use (like hook it to the passenger grabs, and have the net wrapped tightly against the wheel well out of the way). Then flip it around when you want to use it.

For my pack that doesn't have any specific carry attachment, I use something like this motorcycle helmet net to attach it. It's not great, but it works just fine.

I have a bungee net for when I need to carry something, I’d imagine that would work fine for a helmet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0022ZXO40/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_c_3Vj0AbBKDRHGM

Without actually speaking to your main question (as it would be entirely speculation and I don't know enough about you to make a judgement one way or the other), I will say that two bags doesn't sound like it would be too much (obviously that depends on the size of them).

If I were you, I would make sure that those two bags are fully waterproof before you try and commute on the bike. You might even want to ditch one of the bags and replace it with a dry sack (something like this).

I have a nice Kriega dry sack (which has its own mounting system) but you could easily get by with a cheap $10 drysack off of Amazon and a bungee net.

15km is nothing and unless you are either: a) absurdly weak (doesn't sound like it though since you are carrying athletic gear) or b) have some sort of medical disability that prevents you from carrying a load on your back; you should have no problem carrying a backpack for 15km.

After my bungee net broke on a long-distance trip, I ended up wearing my 40lb drypack-backpack for 650 miles, I definitely felt that the next day haha.

Also, if you are carrying a laptop/tablet/sensitive electronics in your bags, I would highly recommend that you carry it in your backpack on your back as opposed to tying it on your bike (particularly because you have a very short commute). Even with a perfectly setup suspension, your electronics will still be subject to very sudden jolts when you hit bumps and the human body does a good job of soaking them up.

My unpopular opinion, especially if this is your only bike, is to go fixed. The bike is cheaper/tougher for the money, and less maintenance means better reliability. And for you the rider, it teaches/reinforces proper pedal stroke and ability to hold higher cadence, which translates to your ability to do 50+ mile rides after just a month or so of riding. Something like a Kilo TT Pro with a porter rack is a helluva city beater. I threw some flat bars on mine and its comfy as hell. And with the front rack you can bungee a regular waterproof backpack or whatever and don't have to buy actual panniers. Anyways, just my 2¢

Not OP, but I got this net from amazon and have been very happy with it. (I had gotten a cheapie net for half the price before this one, but you can absolutely tell the difference.) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0022ZXO40/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dude bungee net! Put that shit on your rear fender or something. It's the first thing I buy all my friends when they get 2 wheels! Get the one with the adjustable hooks like this one

https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-50152-Black-featuring-Adjustable/dp/B0022ZXO40/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=7WQ0TEKM3TMH&keywords=bungee+net+motorcycle&qid=1555021535&s=gateway&sprefix=bundgie+n&sr=8-3

Just to throw out a slightly different idea, https://eugenebicyclist.com/2011/07/11/how-to-make-a-cratie-i-e-how-to-bungee-crate-to-bike/

You would not even need bungees then. Anything in the basket rides with you.


They also sell elastic cargo nets too https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-50152-Black-featuring-Adjustable/dp/B0022ZXO40/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1479710141&sr=8-5&keywords=cargo+net

Looking at photos of the bike, a tank bag would be pretty hard. I'd start by getting a backpack w/ plenty of storage. Get some "Rok Straps" and mount the backpack to the tail of the bike w/ a bungie net for extra safety. Avoid standard bungies with metal loops, they will scratch the paint off your mount points so straps are much better.

Saddlebags are a good idea but I think strapping the backpack down will be best.

https://dowcopowersports.com/iron-rider-rumble/

http://bikebeauty.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=182

https://www.amazon.com/ROK-Straps-ROK-10050-Black-Reflective/dp/B00JAKIEAY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520897640&sr=8-3&keywords=rok+straps&dpID=514CB6kW07L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-50152-Black-featuring-Adjustable/dp/B0022ZXO40/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1520897649&sr=1-2&keywords=bungee+net

I have a porteur front rack (basically a little platform that mounts on my front wheel).

If I'll be on a particularly bumpy road, I'll use this: PowerTye 50152 Black 15"X15" Cargo Net featuring 6 Adjustable Hooks & Tight 2"x2" Mesh https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0022ZXO40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_basUBbAEW9B9T

Otherwise, if the road is smooth and the pack is pretty light, I'll just loop the Nomin straps around my handlebars so it rests on the platform lengthwise.

I lost mine within the first month of getting my bike. Now I just opt for a cheap helmet net I got at the motorcycle store.

Cons: if someone wants to steal your helmet, it's really no hassle. Then again, if someone really wanted your helmet, a thin wire probably wouldn't stop them. My insurance against helmet theft is a cheap helmet no one wants to steal.

Pros: securely fastens helmet to bike, can throw a helmet under there while riding (couldn't do that with wire cable), can also use net for holding other stuff while riding, like groceries.

Something like this

They have a wide variety of sizes and are low profile so you might be able to just wrap it around the bag if you can't feel it when it's on your back then np, wrap the shoes up in it.

I’ve been attaching this cargo net to my bike by attaching it to my saddle bag mounting points.

It takes a little bit of adjustment to get it fitted right, but I like the ability to put all sizes of things under my net. Like this.

http://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-50152-Black-X15-Cargo/dp/B0022ZXO40

Probably something like this should suit you! I'll probably snag one as well. Those "baskets" are ridiculous.

Rack + Net