Originally Posted by
lil brown bat
- Less secure than either messenger bag or backpack.
- Hassle if you have to stop to go in a store -- do you leave it there and risk it being stolen, or carry it with you? In which case, you've got the hassle of taking it off and the hassle of carrying an awkward burden.
- Hassle if you need to take your bike up a passenger elevator (which almost always means vertically).
1. Maybe if you have those panniers from the 80s that only hook on with a bungee and a hook. Most modern panniers will never fall off of your bike. Give ortliebs a try.
2. Again, modern panniers take about 2 seconds to take off your bike and about the same to put them back on. Again, my panniers have a shoulder strap which is fine for carrying in a store, and i do often.
3. I take my bike in the elevator with panniers all the time, and it is a small elevator. I have even put it in there with full camping gear. Or you just shoulder the pannier and carry the bike with the other shoulder.
I would like to see you randomly decide to pick up a 12-pack of beer, frozen pizza, cereal, bottle of wine, and veggies and fit that in your backpack. With a pannier you always have some extra space to fit things on your way home, and that is a huge advantage over a backpack. The other day i just carried a shoulder bag to work, and on my way home i wanted to get some food. It was a hard ride from the store to my house with bags hanging from the handlebars.