TransitBiker

I've used backpacks since the beginning. On grocery trips I wear two, one on front and one on back. This can easily total 65 lbs, which I seem to be able to handle OK.

I will likely get a crate and fasten it to the rear rack, but I am wary of the handling changes when I'm all ready going from a super stable cruiser to a commuter layout with shorter handlebars & related less leverage. I may change to a slightly longer handlebar eventually regardless, but not 100% sue about cargo quite yet.

We'll see what ends up happening. If I do switch to bike vs back, I will follow with an update!

- Andy

fietsbob

A back pack that doubles as a pannier may resolve the confliction.

TransitBiker

Yea, they have clip-ons that work with the OEM rack, but putting one backpack in crate may be what I end up doing. I have a limited budget, so I gotta get what I can afford.. I know crate holds the weight up higher, but with it there's no need for me to bend down or even really lean forward. After 20 years and numerous crashes, my knees & back like to be straight, I even often stand when riding transit.

Between Craigslist, a few local vendors, and freecycle I may end up with a larger cargo basket that extends back (rectangle) attached to the OEM rack, with room enough for both backpacks, or whatever else. Seeing as though I ride in traffic, I gotta watch the width of anything I add on especially at curb height.

-=(8)=-

I use a backpack.
First, I wet a white shirt and put it in the freezer for about 20 mins before I leave, then put it on.
Then, in the backpack, put a frozen bag of peas up against my back.
Everything stays very cool for my 4 mile ride into work.
When I get to work, take off the previously crunchy, frozen shirt, exchange for a fresh one.

Isaiahc72

I've used both. A backpack is way more tiring to use than panniers/trunk bag.

alan s 

My back was sweating at 32F this morning without a backpack. Why would anyone willingly strap a heat trap on an area that provides a great deal of cooling?

skinny matt

Backpack. Minimal fuss. Versatile. Can strap a Christmas tree or a repair stand to the outside. My body acts as suspension so wacky loads feel more doable. Panniers, racks, and saddlebags are all pretty neat though and I could honestly get by happily with anything. Bikes rule.

irishtexmex

Let your eyes wander over to the left side of the page and take a look at the location of the poster...

How many people in Texas do you think would prefer backpacks over panniers? Even for the vain/image conscious like myself, there are handsome looking panniers out there that work great as messenger bags off the rack.

Now there are some phenomenal biking backpacks (Osprey, Deuter, et al.), but I'd venture to say that they're going to be more recommended by the guys in Seattle and Toronto than the ones in Atlanta.

Northwestrider

If your back pack weighs in at say 20 pounds, that is 20 more pounds your saddle will need to support. I use panniers.

LesterOfPuppets

I wore a backpack a lot in the AZ heat. Mainly because panniers means no more bunnyhops

Nowadays I'm lucky enough to have a bike with racks and bags and a few without so I can make the choice on a day-by-day basis.

I have a pack with a suspended mesh panel, which helps a little bit with the heat. I guess the Apollo 35 is the closest current offering to my olde Marmot. Nice and light, sternum and waist straps, pocket, pass-through hole and loops for the Camelbak.

Nick MxW

I personally use a sling backpack, it fits what I need (Most of the time) and its very aerodynamic compared to most backpacks. The only downside is I have to readjust its position every few minutes, but I do it without thinking.

LesterOfPuppets

I have done a century with 30 lbs on my back before, but yeah, it was a workout. I was pretty buff then, though.

I've been digging handlebar bags lately. This one hauls the U-lock, netbook, rain jacket, road tools and more with aplomb.

Mark Stone

Well, if those were the only two choices, I would choose a backpack over a pannier. I live in El Paso, so answer: At least one. But usually I just toss things in my coke crate for convenience.

nyrikki

Being tall with large feet panniers that don't interfere with my heals are pretty tiny for storage.

The only time I regret this is on hot days, which is an issue in places like Texas.

But I live in a place where it has only been above 100F once in recorded history and we have really really bad pavement. bunny hopping potholes with panniers is beyond my skill set.

But I would say that while backpacks are nice a messenger bag is even better. It is nice to be able to get into the contents without taking the bag off. There are several types which have straps that are quite useful for heavy loads. I can fit an entire shopping basket of food from the grocery store in mine and that is the only way groceries actually get into my house these days.

But as to which is better I would say neither. They solve different problems for different people,

mstraus

This post made me remember one other negative I have found with a backpack - most of my cycling wind vests or wind breakers have venting in the back. Unfortunately wearing a backpack blocks this venting so you don't get any benefit from it. This means often that wind shielding layer in front causes even more sweating in the back as you don't have a way to the heat to get out.

MikeRides

After transporting a dozen eggs on my rear rack to find I only had a half dozen when I arrived at my destination, I vouch for the backpack. Too many pot holes, manhole covers, and uneven roads around here to trust stuff to stay in one piece on the rack. Of course, using a backpack(or even the rack) would depend on how you pack the items.

wphamilton

I had my answer ready (frame bag, rack, panniers, backpack in that order) but this made me realize that when I run out for groceries it's usually with a backpack. Normal commuting, just a frame bag out of the way on my road bike.

Now for rainy commutes, my rain bike has a tail-box mounted on a rack which is the most convenient of all.

LesterOfPuppets

One other note, backpacks absolutely rule for multi-stop trips. Say you've gotta hit Bank > Post Office > Hardware Store > Bike Shop > Coffee Shop > Grocery Store. With a backpack, your luggage gets off the bike with you.

jpatkinson

I love the practicality and reflectivity of my custom Timbuk2 messenger bag, but it doesn't hold much and isn't comfortable while cycling, especially on any day over 60F. My Ortlieb back roller classic panniers are huge, easily and quickly attached or removed, but they don't "carry" so well off the bike. If I could do it over -- I would have a backpack/pannier combination (there are quite a few nice ones out now).

lhbernhardt

I agree completely. I ride a bike to enjoy the ride. I regard my bike to be more a thoroughbred race horse than a burro. Panniers, esp front panniers or handlebar bags, ruin the handling of a bike. When I had my fixie built, I didn't even want eyelets for fenders or racks (I use clip-on race blades here in the wet Pac NW). This has everything to do with center of mass and unsprung weight.

On a one-track vehicle, such as a bicycle, you want extra weight as close to the center of mass as possible. Many people think you want a low center of gravity. Not on a one-track vehicle that gets leaned over in turns. You also want to minimize unsprung weight. If your bike doesn't have shocks, then YOU (your arms & legs) are the springs, so having the weight off your bike & on you (sprung) makes way more sense in terms of responsive handling.

I also use a Deuter pack made for cycling, which has an air channel where it contacts your back. Yeah, I sweat on warm days, but I'm sweating anyway, it's no big deal. On climbs, I can make use of the extra weight on my back to help drive my hips forward to drive the pedals with my body weight, so the extra weight is actually used, it's not "dead weight" as it would be if it were panniers.

The downside is that I get some lower back pain on longer rides if I stay in the saddle too long, so I have to make sure I'm out of the saddle, stretching out my back every now and then. But the upside is that I get some strength training, riding as if I weighed 15 pounds more than I do. If I were to go on an extended tour, I might consider using a British-style saddlebag, one attached directly to the saddle. Closer to center of mass, doesn't make the bike look stupid. I would never put a rack on a good bike.

Luis

tjspiel

Because I expect to sweat and if my back is a little sweatier because of a pack or messenger bag it makes no difference to me. I'm going to shower at work regardless.

Triple digit temps only happen once in awhile here and when they do I take it easier on the way home than I otherwise might. I'm not going to be out there for hours and hours on really hot days. If I were I'd probably take more precautions. Frankly it's never been a big deal.

Even when it's -20 my head will be sweaty by the time I get to the office. I'm working hard enough that my hands sweat on most winter days. Only my feet will be cool usually. But it's all fine because I intend for my commute to be a workout. I'd be more bothered if I didn't sweat at all.

TransitBiker

Yes, thats my experience as well. The extra 44-65 lbs of weight hanging off of me is offset by being able to transfer that weight into the pedals. I think having a bag on front of handlebars above wheel, and something directly behind me, be it a box, crate, whatever, keeps everything in a straight line vs adding mass lower down, which might affect things like going over pothole or uneven pavement while cornering. On those turns i may have to slow more vs having the weight on me or along the center line.

I have hung triple bagged gallon milk cartons off my handlebar in the middle, very secure etc, but having it in a backpack i felt like i was more in control of the mass dynamics in body position, especially when making hard turns. Having it on the rear may change the dynamic, as it is following the direction of motion vs leading on the front.

I'll get it sorted eventually, but for now the only change i'm definitely considering is milk crate on rear rack. If that works, i may go further, add a handlebar bag, then we'll see what makes the most sense from there...

- Andy

Gatorfreak

I can't stand wearing a backpack. Too hot. I use a trunk bag (on top of the rack). Although the center of gravity is higher, it's always balanced. I tried panniers before too. Being short with big feet, I tend to have problems with my heels hitting the panniers.

JeffreyGlobe

Certainly seems to be a lot of sweaty commuters in this thread. I live in South Florida and use a backpack almost exclusively, even in ~90 degree heat with 70%+ humidity in the summer. I'm going to sweat, regardless of whether I have a backpack on or not, just by walking out the door. I've found that most quality backpacks have design elements to the back and harness to maximize airflow as much as possible. Economy packs or something designed to be a student style book/laptop bag generally don't have much in the way of harness or backing features for comfort or airflow. Hip belts can relieve the weight on those with back issues (I have 2 herniated discs myself, but the backpack doesn't really aggravate the condition) by placing more of the weight carrying load on your hips. While a backpack is certainly going to trap more heat and moisture, regardless of the design, than going with panniers or a crate/basket, the convenience factors of a backpack are overwhelming for my purposes. So, a well thought out and designed backpack can mitigate at least some of the discomfort factors many people seem to have. Of course, it's all a matter of choice and what best suits a rider's particular carrying needs and circumstances.

no1mad 

Does yours have a cross strap? Mine does and that does tend to keep the bag snug. Downside to the bag is that it is a bit on the small side, but that gray/silver you see is highly reflective and continues along the entire length of the shoulder strap