Commuting with a backpack... UGH!
10-13-15 | 09:15 AM
#76
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Take off the jacket and you won't sweat. I don't care how "breathable" the jacket is, you'll notice a world of difference if you just wear the underarmour shirt and the wool pullover.
Warning: At 47 degrees you will be cold for the first 5-10 minutes of your ride. After that, you'll feel great and you'll barely sweat, if at all.
Warning: At 47 degrees you will be cold for the first 5-10 minutes of your ride. After that, you'll feel great and you'll barely sweat, if at all.
10-13-15 | 12:54 PM
#77
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From: Washington DC Metro Area
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
Granted, I'd prefer to transport the laptop in my Chrome backpack with its nice built-in padding.
10-13-15 | 03:19 PM
#78
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From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Pannier season ends for me when it cools off enough to wear a backpack. It ended a couple of weeks ago for me, which is good with the high winds we're having.
10-14-15 | 11:26 PM
#79
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From: Folsom CA
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
10-15-15 | 01:37 AM
#80
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From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
No thanks, I prefer to stay warm and comfortable for my entire ride, no matter what the temperature, from minute one until I am inside at my destination. A worthwhile goal even if it means stopping for one precious minute to take off a jacket or outer layer garment at 5 or 10 minutes into the ride. Even if it may mean sweating a bit more while staying warm, beats being cold for 10 minutes.
Asking because I understand women are more sensitive to cold. When I know I'm doing exercise and will get warmed up soon, I have no problems being cold at the start. Never got a flu or cold that way. And it doesn't feel uncomfortable. Also keeps me from sweating better than being warm the whole ride.
10-16-15 | 02:50 PM
#81
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I'm a little concerned about this too. At one point I was transporting my cheap Chromebook in panniers, but now that I have a nicer laptop I've been delaying the installation of a rack on my new bike, simply because I felt less uneasy carrying the laptop up high on my backpack. But now I'm thinking about lining the inside of the pannier with bubble wrap or styrofoam and taking my chances....
10-16-15 | 03:58 PM
#82
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Bikes: Giant Roam 2
I'm a little concerned about this too. At one point I was transporting my cheap Chromebook in panniers, but now that I have a nicer laptop I've been delaying the installation of a rack on my new bike, simply because I felt less uneasy carrying the laptop up high on my backpack. But now I'm thinking about lining the inside of the pannier with bubble wrap or styrofoam and taking my chances....
I bought one of these for my Thinkpad and it fits perfectly inside the panniers on my Topeak EXP.
10-19-15 | 10:11 AM
#84
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From: Washington DC Metro Area
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I now have a trekking/butterfly handlebar which allows a lot more grip positions - so no more hand fatigue.
10-19-15 | 11:18 AM
#85
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From: Burlington Iowa
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This is no way meant as an offence: are you female perhaps?
Asking because I understand women are more sensitive to cold. When I know I'm doing exercise and will get warmed up soon, I have no problems being cold at the start. Never got a flu or cold that way. And it doesn't feel uncomfortable. Also keeps me from sweating better than being warm the whole ride.
Asking because I understand women are more sensitive to cold. When I know I'm doing exercise and will get warmed up soon, I have no problems being cold at the start. Never got a flu or cold that way. And it doesn't feel uncomfortable. Also keeps me from sweating better than being warm the whole ride.
10-19-15 | 11:37 AM
#86
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From: NoVA
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sport
I think it depends on saddle-to-bar drop. I know riding in the drop with the backpack for an extended amount of time is very uncomfortable for me.
10-19-15 | 11:54 AM
#87
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From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Don't know about others, but I sweat a lot less if I start a bit "underdressed". Never had any health problems due to starting a bit cold.
10-20-15 | 05:52 AM
#88
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This weekend I bought one of these Green Guru Hauler Bike Packs for my high end carbon fiber bike with carbon fiber seat post. I have been looking for a seat bag with larger volumes than the typical small tool bags or seat bags. I wanted something to carry voluminous but lightweight stuff like extra clothing and food, besides tools, spares etc, but I lack rear stay eyelets for a rack, and can't clamp onto a carbon fiber seat post.
Today I carried a pair of shoes and tools. It might be cool to attach my toolbag outside the bikepack, if possible, to further expand the volume, and make the tools more quickly accessible. I might even revert to using an (empty) back pack as well, as a lightweight "reserve" cargo space, e.g. for an extended ride to stow a light weight jacket or fleece as the day warms up.
The picture below shows the Bike Pack fully extended. It has a roller type closure like the Ortlieb pannier bags to expand or collapse for the particular cargo. A Velco strap attaches the bag to the seat post without much stress, and straps with easy closures suspend the bag from the seat rails high above the wheels.
The only better alternative I have seen is a custom-made (four weeks) bag which requires an additional metal seat bag support.
Today I carried a pair of shoes and tools. It might be cool to attach my toolbag outside the bikepack, if possible, to further expand the volume, and make the tools more quickly accessible. I might even revert to using an (empty) back pack as well, as a lightweight "reserve" cargo space, e.g. for an extended ride to stow a light weight jacket or fleece as the day warms up.
The picture below shows the Bike Pack fully extended. It has a roller type closure like the Ortlieb pannier bags to expand or collapse for the particular cargo. A Velco strap attaches the bag to the seat post without much stress, and straps with easy closures suspend the bag from the seat rails high above the wheels.
The only better alternative I have seen is a custom-made (four weeks) bag which requires an additional metal seat bag support.
PS: see subsequent post
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-26-15 at 10:03 AM. Reason: Added PS
10-20-15 | 06:14 AM
#89
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I'm in the same boat. I adopted this principle from my running, but it is a bit trickier with cycling since you often generate your own windchill depending on what direction the wind is blowing. But regardless of how I feel at the beginning of the ride I'm always sweaty by the end, more so when I am wearing a backpack, which is most of the time.
10-20-15 | 06:43 AM
#90
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Don't know about others, but I sweat a lot less if I start a bit "underdressed". Never had any health problems due to starting a bit cold.
I'm in the same boat. I adopted this principle from my running, but it is a bit trickier with cycling since you often generate your own windchill depending on what direction the wind is blowing. But regardless of how I feel at the beginning of the ride I'm always sweaty by the end, more so when I am wearing a backpack, which is most of the time.
I dress for ambient temperatures, optimally feeling slightly cool at the start. However, well into my 14 mile commute, I have a couple downhill runs that are pretty chilling because of the invariable sweat on the uphill climb, and dress diminished for that increased wind chill riding downwards (for a minute or two).
10-20-15 | 08:26 AM
#91
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From: Washington DC Metro Area
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
At around 45F this morning, this was the first day that I rode wearing a backpack without sweating - until I walked my bike into the climate-controlled bike parking room at work.
Descent from my house down the hill was chilly, but I have a couple of climbs after that to warm up quickly. I wore:
Long-sleeve base layer shirt
Polyester t-shirt
Light cycling jacket
Backpack
Weatherproof tights
Socks
Skateboard shoes.
Descent from my house down the hill was chilly, but I have a couple of climbs after that to warm up quickly. I wore:
Long-sleeve base layer shirt
Polyester t-shirt
Light cycling jacket
Backpack
Weatherproof tights
Socks
Skateboard shoes.
10-20-15 | 08:32 AM
#92
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From: Bruce Twp, MI
Bikes: Huffy Sienna Cruiser, Specialized Rockhopper
I ride with a backpack. It's my old college backpack from the early 90s, actually.
Like others mentioned, I carry a laptop with me often and think that panniers would be too rough for it.
Here in Michigan, we've had some cool mornings. I start off in a sweatshirt and long pants, but have been removing my sweatshirt about 10 minutes into my ride because I started to get warm. As long as I take that sweatshirt off, my back does not get sweaty.
Like others mentioned, I carry a laptop with me often and think that panniers would be too rough for it.
Here in Michigan, we've had some cool mornings. I start off in a sweatshirt and long pants, but have been removing my sweatshirt about 10 minutes into my ride because I started to get warm. As long as I take that sweatshirt off, my back does not get sweaty.
10-20-15 | 02:13 PM
#93
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From: Chicagoland
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10-20-15 | 05:27 PM
#94
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From: Burlington Iowa
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10-20-15 | 08:39 PM
#95
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From: Kent Wa.
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Being in a very hilly area, I get warmed up quickly on the first hill, but if I dress for the top of the first hill, I freeze on the way down. I find it works best to over dress a bit and use the zipper of the outer layer to regulate airflow to match exertion levels.
10-20-15 | 10:56 PM
#96
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From: Novi Sad
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Seriously. However, my commute is all flat so that's very convenient.
10-20-15 | 10:57 PM
#97
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From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
10-21-15 | 05:48 AM
#98
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From: New Jersey
Bikes: 2016 Cannonade Synapse Carbon Ultegra 3, 2019 Fuji Touring, Dahon Formula S18, Fuji Touring Series III (bought new in 1980's, all original components, many, many great, memorable rides), Kickbike Sport Max
Jim - can you be more specific about how you attached it? Maybe more closeup photos showing how? Love my Hauler, but it would be convenient to have a larger-capacity outer compartment.
10-21-15 | 09:51 AM
#99
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So I got myself a basic rear rack for my lightweight XLC panniers (which are these things, more or less):
https://www.amazon.com/Xlc-Expedition...s=xlc+panniers
...and the only issue I have with them, once they're loaded with my U-lock, laptop, and a couple of other items, is how much harder it is to walk the bike or stand it up without it "jackknifing" on me. The ride itself is fine....
https://www.amazon.com/Xlc-Expedition...s=xlc+panniers
...and the only issue I have with them, once they're loaded with my U-lock, laptop, and a couple of other items, is how much harder it is to walk the bike or stand it up without it "jackknifing" on me. The ride itself is fine....
10-21-15 | 09:56 AM
#100
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From: Coastal Bend TEXAS
Bikes: beater
stashing extra clothing for the week ahead is best! I try to drive one day each week...OR drop it off on my shopping on Sunday..then don't have to worry about hauling clothing at least... same with food!