Originally Posted by
noglider
My take on this debate is that a heavy bike doesn't ride much worse when you add a rack and luggage to it, but a light bike does. Suddenly, I understand why bike messengers carry their loads on their bodies.
I can totally vouch for this. I carry all kinds of things all over, and the trade off is no backpack: cooler for your back, no panniers: more response from weight shifts & steering inputs. Even taking the empty & rather light pannier off makes a noticeable difference.
Need to shop around for a new backpack, or more likely 2 new, one double & one single strap as i have now, just less worn out than the ones i have now. This thread has given me some pretty good ideas of what features are a "must have". Exterior water bottle nets, waterproof, and of course durable and well built.
- Andy