Originally Posted by
ghettocruiser
Rode for many years with panniers.
My dissenting opinion: they really do make my bike handle like a shopping cart.
+1
It's a matter of individual taste and feel I suppose. As far as backpacks go, the
Crumpler Mahoubar is what I use for my commute and I love it. Evidently it won a Bicycling Magazine editors' award in 2007, and it deserves it.