Don't mind a backpack at all, even in 90+ temps and my commute is 30mi +/- RTT. I like it better than panniers because I often carry my laptop in addition to clothes. I also can shower at work.

But that is me, I can understand why someone would not.

Another drag about panniers is that the added weight makes it harder to lift up the rear of the bike (while straddling it at a light) to make sure the rear wheel is on the traffic signal sensor.

I have a Jandd seatbag with a nylon strap sewn on the bottom, that then attaches with a buckle to the seat rails, with Velcro along the side of the bag, and on the strap to secure the strap around the bag.

On the Hauler on the roll-up end is a strap sewn in segments to create a series of flat loops. The strap on the bag can be passed though a loop on the hauler, tightened up, and then fastened around the seatbag. You have to remove and re-insert the buckle in order to pass the seatbag strap though the flat loop on the hauler. It worked better with the bag positioned upside-down. I attach my Planet Bike flashing light to a strap on the back of the seat bag, and secure the end of the light clip with a rubber band so it doesn't slip off after a bump.

That free Velcro loop on the front end of the bag is the one to circle around the seatpost when the bag is attached directly to the seat.



The bag sits flat when the Hauler is fully extended, but flops over the end of the Hauler when empty, and causes some sway, but is not noticeable when riding. As mentioned, I basically only keep tire changing stuff, including tubes, in it.

PS: See this subsequent post.

Thanks, Jim - now I get it.

I like panniers as well. They are always attached to the bikes I pass on my way home .

I assume it also depends what we carry. I have a laptop + accessories, a whole set of clothes and shoes to change, tools and a spare inner tube so that i can fix my bike on the road.
In addition I sometimes stop on the way to or from the office at a grocery store to get some food or drinks. And I am having back problems and I don't want all that weight on my back.
Therefore a backpack is a no go for me. But this is me. I have a set of Ortlieb backrollers which I bought over 20 years ago and which I still love.
My son however only uses a backpack when riding to school. But he has a lot less to carry.

What I can't understand is, why does my bike feel lighter when I'm carrying everything on my back instead of on panniers. I mean, it's the same total amount of weight, only placed higher up and more centered.

Using the backpack makes me feel lighter and faster, but also sweatier and more top-heavy (which can make dismounting on a slope an adventure). The panniers can carry more stuff and add stability to the rear end, but they're making the front end feel kind of light -- and the front wheel tends to jackknife when I'm leaning the bike against something. I've fixed the latter problem by attaching a velcro strap from the wheel to the downtube while parked, but I think I may have to balance things out by adding a front basket. And thus my nice, fast-rolling bike gets heavier and heavier....

I must confess, however, that I've had less tingling and other neurological weirdness in my shoulder blade/upper back since I ditched the backpack. So there's that.

I have seen lots of people with rack on their bikes and yet they still carry their backpack on their back. Go figure it.

Ha! Nice.

Btw, temperature does not cause illness. Enter: germ theory.

Agreed. But being too cold does help one to get sick when in contact with germs.

I'm one of them. I use the rack when I ride to the grocery store or do other shopping. Otherwise, I'll use my backpack because it keeps me a little warmer, and it's easier to ride between cars (which I actually don't do that often).

My bike weighs about 34 lbs so it doesn't feel lighter without panniers. OTOH, it doesn't feel heavier either when loaded w/ groceries (family pack of drumsticks, box of wine, etc.).

Nope. Hypothermia has nothing to do with germs, and the immune system functions just fine when one is chilly.

You stay classy.

This states otherwise:

https://dumbscientist.com/archives/cold-weather-can-make-you-sick


"Professor Eccles explained this effect by saying that our bodies restrict blood flow to the extremities when we get cold to help conserve body heat for the torso and brain, which really need to be warm. Cutting off the blood flow reduces the supply of white blood cells which are the immune system’s primary weapon against germs."

It's the cheap wine tho

I've been commuting to work for the last 2 weeks now- 26 miles round trip, everyday. I've been using my backpack to haul my stuff.

The contents are

-2 meals for the day
-laptop
-charger
-pocketknife
-cellphone
-lockpicking set(don't ask)
-jeans and shirt for work.
-all inside an older North Face 40L day pack.

Total is around 24 lbs.

I sweat like crazy, and I ride as hard as I can, since this is meant to be my daily exercise.

If the sweat bothers you(as it does me), have a portable shower at work.

My system is simple- baby wipes, a misto sprayer (contents 60/40 rubbing alcohol and witch hazel), and a deodorant.

I spray, wipe down, towel off, and change, only takes 5 minutes- and no one has any idea I just mashed 12 miles.


I was incredibly self conscious the first few days that I might still smell, but giving random hugs to coworkers, I had two compliments on my smell haha...if they only knew...


You might want to consider creating a system of your own...

Even classier.



Freakonomics » Freakonomics Radio: Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better?

Only $15 for a box of organic red wine to feel classy! What a wonderful time we live in! Oh and taste-wise it's my favorite of the sub-$30/bottle red wines that i've tried - tastes better to me than the Target box wines and the pricier bottled wines alike.

For the nightcap though I veer out of classy range - Wild Turkey 81/101 or Jameson. Too cheap to buy Laphraig or Hennessey.

Hi [MENTION=137322]Jerrys88[/MENTION],

I didn’t realize that you wrote that first post to this thread describing the Green Guru Bike Hauler Bike Packs, and thanks for the link to the video. I bought mine from a vendor at an Adventure Fest, a three–day bicycling weekend in Pennsylvania sponsored by Bicycle Times Magazine. As I posted to that thread,

BTW, the above picture is from early Friday evening; Saturday and Sunday were gorgeous.