Originally Posted by
ak08820
I agree on the strap issue but I meant converting the backpack to pannier permanently....
Yeah, sorry, I don't see the point.
A cheap container is a cheap container; I don't see much reason why a $30 backpack, that you've chopped to bits, will work any better than something specifically designed to carry luggage on the bike. Whenever possible, I try to use the right tool for the job.
Originally Posted by ak08820
I did try the Nashbar pannier set, one of the largest ones, and returned them as the hardware was so flimsy.
So, how exactly is a backpack that you're hacking together going to have better hardware?
Look around a little bit, you can likely find panniers that are relatively affordable and well made, e.g.
http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FSBP