General Cycling Discussion - Backpacks or rear carriers?

Recently I have been switching between using a backpack and using a rear carrier for hauling heavier loads.

Although I have always thought rear carriers were mandatory for making a bike truly practical, I find that it is a lot more efficient carrying the load on my back. It seems that with a backpack, the weight of the pack adds to the power going into the pedals which helps me go faster.

Yesterday on my commute, I had about 65 pounds in my backpack. My speed was between 15 to 20 mph which is my normal speed without the backpack (of course, I was only going 5 miles - it might be a different story if the route was longer). Usually, with this kind of load on my carrier, my speed would be slower.

It IS cooler now, so the backpack is not sweaty or uncomfortable like it might be in the summer hot months.

What is the concensus with you guys; backpacks or rear carriers?

My commuting bike is also my off-road bike (with slicks), so I do not have a back rack/panniers on that bike. Then there is my utility bike, which has a wire rear basket. So, it depends on what bike I am riding. But, I would say I prefer the messenger bag as I am much more agile with it.

I have a progression of preference when it comes to carrying things whether on the bike or not:

1. If nothing else is available, I carry it in my hands.

2. If possible I put a shoulder strap on it.

3. Better than that is TWO shoulder straps, ie, a backpack.

4. Better than that is letting something else carry it, bike, car, hand truck, cart, whatever.

I voted back pack, however the only pack I ever ride with is my camelbak hawg, and i doubt i have ever had more then 20lbs in it :)

My only experience with rear carriers was a few burley kid trailer, i used one for moving a few chairs and a small table across town (~75lbs), my avg speed was well under 10mph for that ride, anything over 10mph would cause the tailor to rock back and forth and drift all over, taking me with.

The other trailer i have used was a BOB trailer, with the small 8" wheel. I had no problems hitting 20mph with the BOB, but the wheel did not look like it would hold up to the first pot hole, let alone a ride in the woods. The one thing I did not like about the bob, was setting it up to my bike. It took ~15minutes to put on, and another 15minutes to take off.. im sure this would have been a lot easier if i kept the bob Axel on my bike full time.

So my final vote: For commuting, a backpack or messenger bag, if your use your bike for shopping, or moving larger items, id go with a BOB or other utility rear carriers.

Mike, what do you consider a heavy load?

I like Rainman's #4...
If that's not possible, I use a rear pannier on my commute w/ a shoulder strap for lugging it around. As a student, it also doubles as my bookbag. I've learned to get as much work done on campus as possible. A couple of text books & a 3-ring binder or 2 REALLy slows me down! I went with the pannier over the ubiquitous student backpack, because I don't like the weight on my back.

You forgot my favourite option: carry it in your teeth...


:roflmao:

Rear carrier for sure. I'm not sure if you've ever ridden up a 12.5% grade in temps of 40C, but trust me, a backpack would make things far too hot for that. With christmas looming ominously, I'll probably be doing it again in a few weeks time.

I can see the benefit of a light backpack if mountain biking, if only to make the bike easier to control over obstacles, but it has to be a rack for me.

My bike was designed for the original Blackburn Expedition rack and I use it always, generally with a pannier on the right side (to deflect cars)

For heavier loads, two rear panniers, a large saddlebag and if need be lowriders!!

I am a bit more pragmatic - more horse before the cart, so to speak. If I have to carry something, I take my city bike and put the freight on the back rack. If I don't, I take my real bike. :)

Cheers...Gary

On my commuter it's a rack with rack pack, and if I have more than that can carry I put a pannier on the right side, so the left blinkie is unobstructed. If I go on my roadbike, then it's a backpack/hydration system.

I love to MTB without backpacks or saddlebags, this gives you a better feeling with the bike and more control, but if i have to carry more weight, i use a (very) small backpack with rain cover.

I use a backpack for my top end road bike. Put a rack on a Klein road bike. That is grounds for a capital offense ! I do find backpacks annoying, weather has to be really cool to not collect moisture under pack. I have a good pack with Coolmax lining and a harnass. Can't imagine putting over 20 pounds on my back ! Then i rarely commute with my road bike. Can't fit far more crap in a tour bike with two panniers and a rack mount. Whole change of clothes if necessary.
On that rare perfect day in the Spring when temperatures are just right, will commute with my road bike and a backpack. And that I do not have to carry much.

I use classic Pletscher "mousetrap" rear racks on my two touring/commuting bikes, and a Blackburn Mtn Rack with an attached Bike Bag on my mountain bike, using clamps because it lacks eyelets. [Don't worry, purists, I will not put a rack on the Bianchi!] Although I am a bit faster with a live load, the sweat factor compels me to use a rack instead of a pack (or to put my pack on the rack) when I am wearing street clothes. The only other downside of the rack is that a heavy load on it accentuates the Capo's whippiness considerably.

I prefer a backpack, but am currently using a single pannier for my commute. Frankly the pannier is a PITA to pack and to install and replace with any frequency. Backbacks are MUCH more convenient. The backpack I use has a nice harness that prevents some heat buildup, but it is definitely hotter. However, a backpack is certainly more agile - the same load in the pannier makes the bike feel real sluggish.

I'm only using the pannier at the moment because of some neck and shoulder problems I've been experiencing rececntly. Ordinarily I'd ride with the backpack summer and winter. I don't mind sweating.

I have racks on my touring bike, hybrid (rarely use it now), Raleigh classic roadster (an old pletcsher mousetrap, as well), and have front low-rider racks, as well (none currently mounted, though). When I finally get around to building it, my trash-flipflop bike will have one as well.
I only occasionally commute with my road bike, and hate having to carry my kit in a backpack.

I used pannier bags for years and went through a couple of sets. I was getting tired of always riding my commuter (mountain bike with slicks, lights, rack, etc.) and had a good old fixed-gear road bike just sitting around and that is what made me search out a good backpack. I saw one in the Terry Bikes catalog that was made for cycling and researched the manufacturer and found it. It is Vaude and it is tremendous!

It has a mesh panel that rests on your back rather than the bag itself. It has a chest strap and wide adjustable waist belt, multiple zippered pockets, two large mesh pockets on the each side and a built-in rain cover in bright yellow. It is also cool that the whole assembly adjusts for different heights of people from shorter folks to tall ones (like me). I rarely have any major wet spots on my jersey, even in summer heat on the way to work. I do wear cycling clothes that dry quickly and it works for me. I would recommend that if you have shoes, general junk and business casual clothes that you go with the largest model (Siena 40 - I have the Siena 40). I sometimes really have to work to get a bag lunch in there if I have a lot of bulky clothes.

Go here to check it out: http://www.vaude.com/sienapack.html

And no I don't work for them. I just think a cool company with good products that supports cycling deserves our attention.

I've got enough monkeys on my back as is, I don't need a backpack too! Rear carrier any day. Plus I feel I have better flexibility with a rear carrier should I need to turn and look back - like when I hear screaching tires behind me!

At the moment my daily commute is with a single pannier on the right (the wider the better on that side). If I'm getting the shopping or collecting wood I'll use both. The day pack I carry when I'm not on the bike is probably a bit heavy and bulky for cycling, but I might try a light-weight one sometime.

Richard

I'm getting my first Timbuk 2 courier bag for Christmas. I'm really excited!

I have used both backpacks and rear racks. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

I began with a backpack. I found out they are sweaty and carry less than a rack, so I switched. I found a really great thing in a rear rack.

I returned to a backpack involuntarily. I rediscovered the ease of flinging my backpack off again without messing with bungie cords,
and I didn't miss occasionally getting snapped by a bungie that had slipped out of my fingers. :eek:

I like them both. (I should be a politician.)

I certainly agree that backpacks are not comfortable and it FEELS BETTER to carry things in panniers/racks/baskets.

My main question is; "have you notice that having the weight as part of your body (i.e. a backpack) gives you extra weight on the pedals and thus uses some of the weight for power generation.

It seems to me that when I have a weighty pack on and I stand on the pedals, the pedals really mash. In contrast, weight on a carrier is just dead weight. Granted, they are both loads and it is easier riding without a load, but IF YOU HAVE TO CARRY A LOAD, do you find any propelling advantage of having the weight on your back?

And why was there no option for 'BOTH"??

I carry a very convenient fold up back pack in my rear panniers, and when I want to carry a lot of groceries, for example, I use BOTH!!

I use a variety of things. A milk crate bungied to my rear rack. A BOB trailer. A back pack.

In terms of usefulness, a milk crate is probably as good as a $100 pannier. It's good for carting home a gallon of paint. Or even, well, bottles of milk. Plus the milk crate also helps with the deliberate uglification of my bike. My bike is so covered with stickers that no brand name is visibie, and the milk crate helps complete the image.

Originally posted by ViciousCycle
In terms of usefulness, a milk crate is probably as good as a $100 pannier.

Man, you said it! Nothing beats a big milk crate - ugly as they are. I have a sweat wire crate that is about 50% bigger than the plastic ones. It can haul so much stuff! I love it.

Sorry to digress...

I have seen the milk-crate setup. Perfect. And ugly. :thumbup:

All these "fashion conscious" drivers who must trade in their "old heap" for a newer model (which is destined to become another "old heap,") epitomize a society which is based on appearance, not substance. Give me a dirty bicycle and sweaty, "aromatic" clothing over a clean, expensive, gas-guzzler anyday.

Anyday.

Right on, Pete!

Interesting Poll!

May I suggest three more categories?

Messenger Bags, Trailers, Hip Packs


Perhaps popularity in relation to weight may be interesting/helpful as well.

IE: 0-25 lbs, 26 to 50 lbs, 51 to 75 lbs etc.

Ride Educated
Pat