Patriot

I am considering a pannier rack, and a small pannier for my commuter. I have been using my hiking backpack with nice padded shoulder straps, and a chest strap. It is quite comfy, but perhaps a pannier would be better?

Is it generally preferred? Why?
Is it that much easier riding?
Do they slow you down compared to using a backpack?

Please opine.

MediaCreations 

Panniers are much nicer in summer. Nothing worse than a sweaty back from wearing a pack.

I use a small back pack on the few occasions that I need to transport something to and from work but in the past when I needed to take stuff to and fro each day I went with panniers.

lilHinault

I see some *serious* commuter types around here with panniers or very often, A pannier. They are serious riders and to me anyway, command respect - there's an aura of competency that you pick up.

I think a good pannier system has to be an utter joy compared to a sweaty ol' backpack.

bigbenaugust 

I'm a pannier man. I have a pair of regular panniers and a set of grocery-bag panniers (used with a backpack), for when I hit the Safeway on the way home. I sweat way too much to make a backpack feasible. I might even be one of the guys lilHinault sees around, as I happen through Sunnyvale a couple of times a week. Thanks for the compliment, man.

Groundhawg

I currently use a backpack. However, I'm getting tired of having a sweaty back in this summer heat. I'm considering getting some panniers.

Elvish Legion

I use a back pack and just change shirts when I get to the place I need to be (if I have to take my bag off). I could only see the use of panniers for like an office and/or shopping...ymmv

Elvish

eelozano

Do panniers work with MTB's?

Patriot

This is kind of the setup I am consdiering. Just wondering what y'all think.


https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2312

MichaelW

With panniers you need a stable rack. The seatpost clamp-on racks are barely adaquate as well as being heavy and stressing your seatpost. If your bike has threaded eyelets for a bolt-on rack then use them. If it doesnt, then consider using a Carradice style saddlebag. This company make a series of seatpost racks but the weight is held much closer then on the usual clamp-on racks.

For the pannier bags you need to consider their shape, material, mounting system and access.
They should be big enough for your load, a heel cutout will permit forward mounting for stability.
Panniers have a hard life so you need a fairly tough material. Cheap coated nylon will soon degrade. Stiff material helps avoid flapping in the wind or spokes. You need a good stiffening board on the side and base but it doesnt have to be heavy.
A quick-release locking mounting system is so much better than hook and elastic.
I prefer a top flap to a zip. You can overload flaps and access your waterproof without having to undo the bag.

Patriot

No eyelets. The old seatpost on that bike is a pretty strong alloy post. I can't see it getting amaged from carrying my lunch and a set of clothes. But, you never know. I'll have to look into some altenatives then.

jeff-o

I use a rack with a rack bag. Basically, it's about the size of the rack, and doesn't hang down beside the wheels. It doesn't carry as much as a full set of panniers, but then again I only have to carry my lunch to work. The bag even has a shoulder strap, should I need it...

joejack951

I use an Old Man Mountain White Rock rack and an Arkel Tailrider for my daily commute. The rack is mounted on my MTB to the lower rear eyelets and brake mounting bosses. It's incredibly sturdy for a 1 lb. aluminum rack. The Tailrider has enough room inside to squeeze my clothes and lunch for the day. If I have more to bring in or home, I'll use the Arkel Bug on the side of the rack. Both are awesome bags and worth the money, for me.

If you do not have rear eyelets, you can still mount a rear rack by using a modified rear skewer. https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tubus_racks.asp Scroll down and look for Tubus QR adapter.

cc_rider

Rack with a rack pack. I have two different size backpacks and I use them if I need them.
Avoid some of it by keeping a few things at the office. I might bring in something I need the day before I ride in.

bike2math

I recently switched to panniers and love them. I was getting backaches every monday after a weekend of not riding. I had chalked it up to watching sports on tv on saturday and sunday, but then it happened after a weekend spent hiking. After getting the pannier my backaches dissappeared. I imagine that wrestling the backpack around I must have strained the muscles in my back.

Regardless problem solved.

Now I know better. Let the wheels carry the load.

The only problem so far is that I went sort of cheap (Axioms Apalachian) the bags are nice but the backing is not quite stiff enough (or I have damaged it already) because on the off road sections of my commute the bad bumps sometimes knock the left hand bag into the spokes, making a horrendous noise.

Also as said in another thread, don't forget to check the bolts on your rack from time to time. Had one of mine come off. That also made an ugly sound when the rack hit the spokes.

-=(8)=-

TAKE THE KEYS !!
Do whatever it takes !!!
Friends dont let friends ride backpacks !

max-a-mill

my messenger bag has never given me any problems that would make me consider switching to panniers. maybe it's cause i ride off road with a camelback all the time as well, but backsweat (as well as sweat just about everywhere esle) is just a part of biking for me.

what i wouldn't want is a big heavy bike that is hard to maneuver.... but this defintiely seems to come down to personal preference.

capejohn

I also use a messenger bag for transporting my work clothes. I have all the comforts at the office, including shower facilities, locker and ironing board/iron.

eubi

Panniers for me. Plus a trunk They work fine on my MTB and yes, it's a hardtail.

Front panniers work great too for touring, but I had to fab bigger brackets to grab on to the huge diameter forks on my Cannondale.

rigid4life

I too recommend the rack-pack if all your stuff fits into one. These are held on more securely than panniers, and are perfectly centered over the rear wheel (I've never heard of rear panniers affecting a bike's handling, but if you're concerned about this like max-a-mill, this should ease your mind). They won't slow you down like a backpack, since the weight is fixed to the bike instead of flapping around on your shoulders tiring you, and is aerodynamically down behind your butt. If anything, they improve rear-braking power since the weight is centered over the rear wheel.

I have this one from MEC which comes with a shoulder strap which is very convenient. I just take mine off the bike and put it on like a messenger bag. However, if you like to snack while riding, I recommend you get one with an open-top mesh pocket at the back (the one closest to your butt, but the one on the other side may be ok too). You can fit a lot of energy bars into that and they won't flap around at the back of your jersey or anything. Get the largest one you can that has the features you want. You can fit a surprising amount of stuff into one. When I used to work as a roadie (vehicle-assisted) tour guide, I just carried a good rack pack with me (forgot the brand) and I had everything I needed for me and the tourists in there - enough tools to fix almost all problems, 4 or 5 inner tubes, loads of food and a few emergency soft drinks (those juices that come in rectangular cardboard boxes stack great) and my rain jacket, reflective cycling jacket (for when it got too hot) and a pair of shorts and underwear for me to change into. My current one can fit tools, lock and a six-pack with tons of room left over, so I am a happy commuter.

bigbenaugust 

I'd go back to using my Topeak rack trunk, but my idle-work-time reading material (and u-lock) don't fit.

SaskCyclist

When I first started commuting I used a backpack. I hope I never need to use a back pack again. I spent 25 CDN on a rack for the MTB (winter commuter) and another 25 on the rack for the daily commuter hybrid. The panniers I bought are Axiom Champlain's (include rain covers and are big enough to hold a couple of bags of groceries, lunch, clothes for the day and all the tools and repair kits you need. They cost about $100 CDN. Worth every penny but work best if you do not need to carry the panniers a long ways off the bike.

The only issue I had other than making sure there are braze-ons for the rack is to ensure the chainstay's are long enough so that your foot doesn't hit the pannier.

oboeguy

I've done both panniers and backpack. I'm in a long backpack phase right now, and it suits my folding bike commute very well. However, I don't jusy any backpack. As of yesterday, I am the proud owner of a Wingnut pack. I should probably post a review after using it a few days. With luck (good or bad?) it will rain on the way home so I can properly road-test its waterproofness.

I placed the order at a bike show but you don't have to wait for a show. The guys who run the company are pretty cool and laid-back. Call them if you have questions, I guess (they answer and / or call back IME).

What happened to my good, old panniers? The wife uses them now.

phillybill

No backpacks.....just a messenger bag and one pannier for the daily commute.

noisebeam

I use a messenger styled lap top bag by Timbuk2. I don't notice it all on a 9mi ride. I like it because:
-It is briefcase like and can take it without repacking the office contents to meetings, business trips, etc.
-I think the laptop gets some shock absorption being on my back
-I can switch between bikes dependin on mood in hte morning.
-I can use same bikes for non-commuting riding without taking of racks, etc.

Al