Commuting - Panniers, Messenger Bag, or Backpack?

What does everyone use to cart their stuff around with? I'm going to start commuting in a couple of weeks, but need a bag first. I work at a restaurant and need to take a shirt, pants, shoes, and some stuff to clean up with once I'm there.

It depends. I use a messenger bag usually for my clothes, but if I'm also carrying shoes, then I go with panniers. If I'm going to run errands on the way home then it's definitely panniers.

I'm lucky enough to have two bikes depending on what I'm doing that day. My old Schwinn road bike has the rack and panniers attached and when I ride the Cannondale road bike then I just use my messenger bag.

I used a backpack for a couple of years but I found the messenger bag the most convenient. There are some who have found the opposite to be true for them. You might just have to try both and see which one you like better.

Depends on how much stuff you must take... I work inland. It can be hot. I tend to take lots of stuff in everything I do, in all aspects of life; not just cycling...
Rack with bag and panniers is definitely most comfortable.. Also, gives you more space to vary, as your needs might vary.
Gonna commute on my best road bike tomorrow.. No rack on that bike... Will use a backpack. Probably have a sweaty back.. One thing helps. Can you take some stuff and leave it at work for your later use. Also a shower helps.. If not use sink and take along some body swipes...

depends...
in general rack with panniers is best as the weight is off your back and you don't get sweaty back...

that said, i usually commute with 1 pannier AND a backpack just b/c i like having a backpack with me, and i have lots of extra space if i stop off at the store or whatever. my backpack has mesh to create an airspace between the bag and my back and i really like that - not as good as having no pack, but WAY better than a normal pack sticking to you. i looked for over a year at various Vaude and other models and finally bought this Deuter AirComfort backpack (German) and love it.

as for messenger bag or backpack, i think it just depends on your personal preferences.

if you live somewhere hot and have a longer commute or want to carry a lot of stuff, i think panniers is the best choice.

Nathank is right - bags hanging off of you build up heat. I used a backpack for a few years here in Atlanta and it was just too much. This year I switched to a rack and panniers. I wish I would've thought of that sooner.

I agree with NAT, the back pack generates to much heat, I use a rack with trunk and panniers. after a while you feel naked without it.

I like my Timbuk2 messenger bag. I don't have a rack on my bike at the moment, and don't really feel the need to put one on.

I reckon it's personal preference. Suck it and see!

Ellie

I got a cheap but roomy rear pannier off Ebay. Plenty of room for my tool kit, lights, rain jacket, lunch, and any changes of clothes, books, or whatever I want to take with me.

The farther you ride the more you'll want the bike to take the load, not your back and shoulders. My commute is 13 miles each way, and I wouldn't even consider anything but panniers.

RichC

Generally a single pannier, two if I'm going shopping.

Richard

I had panniers for a couple years. I bought a road bike and commuted some with it, so I got a Timbuk2 messenger bag. Now I have a Trek 520 for commuting and can put panniers on it, but won't.

I find the bag is fine and actually is handier than panniers -- you can easily carry the bag with you. (The panniers I had were solidly mounted to the rack; I'm not sure if there are panniers nowadays that are easily carried.) I also load up the bag with lights and such so I look like a Christmas tree at night. The height of the lights (being up on the bag and not down on the panniers) makes a difference.

As far as heat buildup, not a problem for me. I wear it low on my back. Haven't had a problem here.

Lin_kieu,

I use an old backpack bungeed into a coke rack (plastic, used to hold 24-cans) that is fastened to a rear rack on my bike. It's very flexible as I can grab the pack and walk into the office/store/etc. If I have more to carry, I can always wear the pack and put the other items in the box/rack. Any stiff plastic box or crate of reasonable size would work. I was about to go to the "Container Store" when a co-worker offered me the box (he's used one on his bike for years).

I'll take pictures next week and post them.

Kevin S.

I normally use a rack with trunk and add a single pannier if I have more to carry, unless I'm on the road bike, which doesn't have provision for a rack, and then it's a back pack.

Try this site http://bicyclebags.com/ it's Arkel, and they have a pannier that can be converted to a back pack. It's in the urban section, called the ladybug(?) backpack. It might be the best of both worlds.

Get a rack and some panniers! I use a handlebar bag (VauDe) which is waterproof, for wallet, phone, keys and other smaller stuff I want at hand. For my rain clothes and shoes, and heavier stuff, I put a Karrimor pannier, single or a pair, on my rack.
Anders K
Sweden

Thanks for your suggestions! I used to have a custom made Timbuk2 Messenger bag that I simply loved - then it was stolen. :mad: :( So now I've got to get a new bag. Looks like panniers are the way to go from the advice here. Now I've just gotta save up to buy a decent waterproof pair.:D

I've used them all, plus one you haven't considered (or at least mentioned). Here are my opinions for each . . .

Backpack--hot, heavy on the back. Weight carried too high. Never seen a waterproof model. Only thing to recommend is that they are available and cheap.

Panniers--most versitile and can carry the most. Keeps the weight (and sweat) off your back. Most are fairly easily on & off, although they can require some fiddling. Some are waterproof. Requires a rear rack. Heaviest option.

Messenger bag--lighter than panniers, lower riding than backpack and not nearly as hot. Great for when you must park outside work and carry your stuff inside (no fiddling with removing panniers, etc.) Most are reasonably waterproof. Can be used with any bike or anything else. For wintertime use, this is my favorite option. In the cold, I don't mind the extra insultation on my back and I really like having my stuff with me vs. mounted on the bike. Plus, on days I wimp out and drive, I still just use the messenger bag instead of a briefcase--thus I don't have to transfer all my pens, notes, dayplanner to another bag.

The last option--one that you didn't mention--is Carradice saddlebags. These are relatively unknown in the US until recently, but are becoming more so lately. They mount to bag loops on the saddle rails (clamp on bag loops are available for like $3). The can go on any bike, require no rack, and hold almost as much as a pair of panniers. Plus, they don't affect the bikes handling qualities nearly as much. And, they are waterproof. Now, a quick release mounted version is also available. This is my most used solution. I am fortunate that I can park my bike in my office, so I don't have need to remove the bag. Otherwise I'd opt for either a quick release version or the messenger bag. In my opinion, these classic english saddlebags are the classiest solution as well.

Good luck,
Davy

I go with panniers. Even when I just decide to go for a long ride, I still strap on a pannier. I carry my lock and of course a rain jacket (I live in the NW).

Who knows when you might happen by a garage sale miles from home and find the ultimate treasure? I always have the pannier there to stuff with junk.

Carradice saddlebags are probably the best solution for smaller (10-20l loads), but you can squash more into the larger ones. The only saddle with built-in bag loops is the Brooks B17, but it is one of the most comfy saddles in the world. The combination of B17 and saddlebag gives you a better load/weight ratio than most other systems, using lightweight saddles and racks.


I use Carradice panniers, the cotton canvas material is really strong, tough and effective and the stiffening material on the back and base is also very light. Ive had mine for 5 years and can recomend them for daily use.

These days all decent panniers have a good quick release clip system. They are no trouble to carry using the handles, and mine have rings for a shoulder strap.
You should avoid the old hook and elastic mounting system, or a permanent mount.
I sometimes use a backpack for small rides around town, when I dont want to carry heavy loads, but a lightly loaded single pannier has no noticeable effect on the bikes handling, so I dont notice a big difference.

Thanks guys. Where would I find the Carradice saddlebags at?

http://www.carradice.co.uk/originals.htm

Available at all good bike shops :

http://www.wallbike.com/

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/bags/carradice.html

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/

Saddlebags are great for some things, but you probably have to roll up clothes to make them fit. In my panniers, I can fit a folded shirt without rolling it up.
Most of these fine shops also sell Brooks B17 saddles.

As you see there are different ways of doing this. I have a "commuter" bike, one that is all I want to do on it, ride to and from work, although those rides are stretched out to 20 miles. On this bike I have my painniers. They are great. I can load the bike and get to where I am going. I use the panniers to cart a weeks worth of clothing shoes, etc to work, so I can ride my road bike some days and the MTB some days.

I have purchased a messenger bag, and love it too. I got it for the road bike and commuting on the fixed gears. I don't want to put racks on those bikes, so I have the messenger bag. I had it too weighted tonight. Tried to bring my laptop to work, not.

I have a camelback/backpack that expands to carry minimual stuff, on those days I use it, not often.

Just my .02

I was using my trusty German Army-issue knapsack until just recently. There's no padding at all on the shoulder-straps and I always tend to over-pack so it was heavy as Hell.

A few weeks ago I purchased a set of Jandd panniers and a rack. The panniers are the style that fit over the rack and are fastened to it with Velcro straps, with hooks that fit to a flange on the side. Works a treat, but I recommend distributing your cargo very carefully because...

...this last Friday I think I came perilously close to shredding face on the way home from work. After thumping over some railroad tracks I noticed a hollow, faintly metallic clinking sound. Looking down as best I could, I couldn't discern the source of the noise (and did I actually dismount the machine for a proper inspection? Noooo, as this would entail using a tool in my limited repertoir of skills called 'logic', a process that I've found too often dissuades me from some of the more interesting and exciting experiences in Life). So I pedaled onward, hoping that my bottom bracket or some other vital component wasn't about to do The Big Chaw before I reached home.

Once I reached the bottom of the hill at our complex, I stopped and had a closer look. Ah! This would no doubt be it: the panniers had slipped sideways on the rack, thus freeing one of the hooks so that it was flitting and bouncing gaily among the spokes! It appeared sheer happenstance that the hook faced away from the line of travel, else I would have been minus a few spokes at least and quite likely would have been introduced to the pavement rather abruptly.

Needless to say, proper distribution of goods is now very high on the ride-prep checklist. :rolleyes:

-Rob

I used to ride with a back pack...and as other's have stated, your back gets way too hot. I chose a trailer, Burley d'Lite, as I card my laptop, clothes, a dog, and other stuff, such as groceries I pick up on my commute home.

I've been using my Karrimor panniers for years, I use the right hand one for commuting, but the stitching is starting to go.

The last few cycletourists I've seen have been using Ortlieb or Vaude panniers. They look good and I think they'll be my next buy.

Re the saddlebag, my old Madison saddle had loops and I occasionally use a saddle bag, but it can be a hassle to get on and off.

I used to work at a restaurant and commuted by bicycle. I tried everything discussed here and for me, a rack trunk worked best. If you can't take the bike inside make sure you get a rack trunk that is easy to remove and take with you.

Really? A rack trunk? I've looked at those too but they seem too small. I've gotta cart in a shirt, pants, an apron, and NiteLight system (helmet mounted) for the ride home at midnight. What did you have to take in?

Panniers for sure. When I ride to work I carry all my workclothes (including my shoes) as well as my lunch. My panniers work so well, my shirt doesn't even get creased.

Just a question regarding messenger bags, don't they swing around off your back??:confused:

Originally posted by primeowl
Just a question regarding messenger bags, don't they swing around off your back??:confused:

I saw a fellow taste the pebbles for that very reason about a year ago. I was driving home from work and had stopped at a stop sign. He passed through the intersection, slinging his elbow backward every few seconds in an attempt to reposition the bag. I looked left for traffic, then began to look right and happened to catch sight of him just as he and the bike smacked the roadway. I was surprised to see him jump right back up, as his fall looked very painful. I turned right and slowed to the curb to ask him if he was okay. He sort of nodded with a grunt. I assume he was displeased to find he had a witness.

-Rob (Ooh! That'll leave a mark!)

Originally posted by primeowl
Just a question regarding messenger bags, don't they swing around off your back??:confused:
My Timbuktu has a lateral strap on it. This anchors the bag firmly on my back.

Functional messenger bags always have a lateral strap to anchor it to your body so it won't swing around. The ones without them are made with the aesthetic quality put first and are intended for people walking with them, not biking.

My thing with panniers is that they are terrific for touring but for commuting which in my case means I do not carry much they mean WEIGHT. I hate weight! I have a 12 kilo hybrid bike and I need no more!!