Commuting - panniers/backpack

can any of you fine, fine people recommend? i'm looking for something that can double as a backpack and panniers, one that converts into the other. I'm new to cummuting by bike to work and school and i'm finding out that if there is such an item it would come in handy for me.

thank you, thank you very much.

Not the only ones but Orlieb makes very fine panniers, albeit pricey ones:

You can get something like this that converts some of their panniers into backpacks:

http://www.ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=carry-bp

Seeing that you are at work and at school, Ortliebs are pricey but will last a long time and sometimes you can find their panniers at SierraTradingPost.com at a nice discount too...

Enjoy the commute!

Jay

I have paniers with carrying handles. You could add a detachable shoulder strap to carry them around. One that converts to a backpack though? Sounds like a lot of straps flappin' around.

i found "the bug" at this website, http://www.panniers.com/text_index.html
you'll have to click on the link from the main page.

seems like what i might need. has anyone had experience with "the bug?"

I was just eyeing a convertable pannier/backpack at Nashbar... but have no experience with it!
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=9036

I think there's a company in Canada that specializes in backpack panniers: PanPack.

Elvis' Spleen:

The Bug you found is made by Arkel, the Canadian company that K6-III is probably thinking of. I have a pair of their T-42 panniers. They are well designed, durable and, while not inexpensive, I think fairly priced. In short, I believe you can't go wrong with any Arkel pannier. Hope this helps.

Dear elvis' spleen

I have posted this on the forum (mechanic), hopeful it will be useful to you As I described in the message below, you could make youself a pannier/backpack youself. I have purchased all the components and I will make them later and post pictures of them also. You mentioned that you are still going school so I think saving money is important to you. Good luck

Finally I want to report you guys that I am going to build two real panniers for the cost no high than 20$. Two school back packs that were on sale at Walmart for 10$, two writing pad for 2$ (they are used inside of the back pack as reinforcement). I found in HomeDepot, two metal brackets and some bolts and nuts 3$ and one bungee cord, 1$. I plan to first fix writing pad on the side of the bag, then fix two metal brackets on the bag and pad. Also drill two holes on the bag and pad, cut bungee cord into two separated pieces, insert cutting end of the bungee cord into holes of the bag and pad, tide a knot on the end of the bungee cord so it will not slip out. Do the same thing to the other half of the bungee cord, then you have two elastic cords to hook on the bottom of the rack, plus two metal bracket, they will fix back pack bag tightly on the bicycle.

Cost for two bags 10 dollars

Cost for two pads 2 dollars

Cost for metal brackets 3 dollars

Cost for one bungee cord 1 dollars

Price total for two BIG panniers, 16 dollars. Price for making something instead shopping ($$$), priceless.

By the way I found out that those bags are at least not smaller than the largest panniers you would pay around 200$.

But they are not Water Proof, NO problem change the back bags to two plastic containers for kids play at Walmart. They are sturdy plastic containers with good lid on them and costs 4$ each, the only modification for that is using aluminum bar to reinforce the holes that attach metal brackets and possibly bungee cords. You now get two water proof containers for under 20 dollars. I will post my home made panniers and containers when I am done. Now I am in the deadline mode and quite busy

If you are making your own, you should check out the construction and mounting system of Carradice bags. Carradice is a well respected UK company, whose bags are in daily use for a whole lifetime.
Their modern versions still use canvas, but a corrugated plastic stiffener plate (side and bottom), and an Al rail rivetted through, to take the Rixen and Kaul industry standard pannier mounting clips.