Originally Posted by vaticdart

If all you do is ride to work everyday, then ride home, then I can see how panniers would be better. I definitely prefer them for longer rides and rides outside of the city.

However, for riding in the city, and with all the various and random stops that I make on the way home (bars, cafes, restaurants, social rides, etc), panniers are a pain. I tried them for about two weeks and went back to a messenger bag. Considering how often I have to shoulder my bike, flip it around, lock it to weird or odd objects, panniers simply get in the way far more than any benefit they offer. I want the weight on bulk on my back, out of the way (mostly). I also tried a trunk bag and had the same experience.

Also, if your messenger bag is swinging around, it's either not a messenger bag or you don't have it strapped down properly. A good messenger bag should feel like a solid, strong hug, and will move only slightly, if at all. I wouldn't use a messenger bag if it swung around, I do far too much sprinting in heavy traffic to have to worry about something that inane.