bikeidwit

I am a design student trying to redesign a backpack for bike riders. I am asking these questions to help the design process along. I will not be using the information for anything else. I appreciate any information you are willing to give me about your existing bag. Thank you again


What type of rider would you consider yourself?
How often do you ride/what is a typical ride?
What do you look for when purchasing a new bag?
Do you prefer a backpack or a messenger bag?
Why do you prefer one over the other; be descriptive (positives, negatives)?
What do you carry in your bag?
What bag do you have now?
What are the positives and negatives of your bag?
If you could add additional features to your bag what would they be?
When riding your bike, are their any points in which your bag becomes uncomfortable? if so, when?

ironwood

I very rarely use a backpack when I ride; the only time I do is if it is a short trip, and I am riding one of my bikes without racks or a saddlebag, or if my saddle bag is too small to carry the stuff I want. Any light day pack can carry a light load.

A backpack is about the worst way to carry a heay load on a bike. First of all it raises the center of gravity and might affect the stability of the bike. Secondly, a heavy backpack might affect your back, shoulder, and arm muscles, especially if you are in a bent over position or it is a long trip.

corkscrew

I long ago stopped using any sort of wearable bag when I ride. The lone exception being my lowepro AW200 case, for carrying my photography gear.

There is a reason the cycling gods gave us rear racks and panniers.

DX-MAN

Not looking for a flame war here, but ironwood...the Camelback Mule seems to be calling you a fibber. Worst way to carry? No. Maybe if you spend a fair amount of time in drops.....

Some of us prefer to have the weight on our bodies -- more controllable -- than on the bike -- more to BE controlled.

OP, not sure there's much you can do that hasn't already been done; even some of the 'Outdoor' brand @ WalMart has some sweet features about them. As one who really needs to watch the nickels, Outdoor is a viable alternative to Camelback/Dakine/etc. I've had three of them (different sizes to accommodate changing needs), and have yet to spend as much as I would have on one C'Back.

hamfoh

I wear a backpack all the time. a deuter trans alpine 30. best backpack I've ever owned

no1mad 

Something that I'd like to see in a backpack is get away from the tear-drop shape. Gimme something like the Banjo Brothers backpack- roll-top with a flap over, but with another compartment and more organizational pockets.