Originally Posted by
pluc
It's not, backpacks and messenger bags are the ones which are the most dangerous in most cases. They move around (most don't strap them) and make you top heavy, which ain't good if you need to make an emergency stop. They are not less secure to what you are carrying (laptop says it's going fine after almost two years of carrying around).
You misunderstand the meaning of "less secure". I've yet to have a backpack or a messenger bag fall off a bike,
or off my body. I can't say the same of panniers. And a backpack or messenger bag isn't going to "make you top heavy" unless you're trying to carry a baby grand piano. Admittedly it does seem like pannier fans like to carry a lot of stuff, but that's a preference for most commuters, not a necessity.
Originally Posted by
pluc
Come on, you just take your pannier and put it on your shoulder (given it's those convertible panniers).
Oh, I see, so that's a given. Hmm. What percentage of panniers are "those convertible panniers"? Ok, so we're moving the goalposts...
Originally Posted by
pluc
Takes about a second to put on and another one to put off. European double panniers are made like shopping bags, and they have a carrying handle. Just google Basil panniers to get an idea of what they look like.
...and we're moving the goalposts some more. You said that you couldn't think of a disadvantage for panniers. I gave you three. You want to pish and tosh them away? Fine, but admit while you're doing so that those disadvantages aren't issues
for you -- and that your stated disadvantages of a backpack or messenger bag aren't issues
for others. You can't have it both ways.
Originally Posted by
pluc
How so? They take less space than handlebars. Weight is certainly not a factor as you just lock your brakes in the elevator. So far, I haven't had any problem with that.
Have you ever actually done this? With loaded panniers? And they just kind of placidly stayed in place when you took the bike vertical?