Originally Posted by
LesterOfPuppets
Hard to say for sure, but I think I'm faster with a pack on trips of 7 miles or less. Probably could get a better time with panniers once the trip gets up to about 18 miles. 7-18 mile trips are about the same whether backpacking or saddlebagging.
Backpacks make stomping on the pedals more fun, bunnyhopping potholes and curbs 10,000 easier so that's where the speed comes in. I don't think aero means a thing unless you're really haulin' butt or in a harsh headwind.
thanks for doing the math for me, my longest commute is only 6 miles so I think the backpack provides sufficient storage that a pannier loaded with unnecessaries is just deadweight, unless i have to carry a ton of textbooks or something else.