Mid-large Cycling Backpack recommendations?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Singapore
Bikes: Fully customized 11-spd MTB built on 2014 Santa Cruz 5010 frame; Brompton S2E-X 2014; Brompton M3E 2014
Mid-large Cycling Backpack recommendations?
I'm happy with my 10L Deuter EXP 10, but I'm looking to buy a roomier bag (20+ L) for longer daytrips or overnighters.
- Not a huge rush to get one, mainly looking to be pointed in the right direction
- Being in Singapore/Australia, the weather can get stiflingly hot, so airflow is very important
- For MTB and commuting (might be carrying a small laptop from time to time)
- My current frontrunner is the Osprey Talon 22, any comments with personal experience of this would be appreciated.
- Would be a MASSIVE plus if it comes in orange (preference and high visibility imo)
Thanks in advance!
- Not a huge rush to get one, mainly looking to be pointed in the right direction
- Being in Singapore/Australia, the weather can get stiflingly hot, so airflow is very important
- For MTB and commuting (might be carrying a small laptop from time to time)
- My current frontrunner is the Osprey Talon 22, any comments with personal experience of this would be appreciated.
- Would be a MASSIVE plus if it comes in orange (preference and high visibility imo)
Thanks in advance!
#2
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,924
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Can't do it. Even if I tell you what pack I'm rocking there is no guarantee that you could find it in Singapore or even whether it won't be suddenly discontinued for one reason or another. When you are ready to spend money go to your friendly neighborhood outdoor equipment retailer (or their website) and look around.
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,143
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From: Singapore
Bikes: Fully customized 11-spd MTB built on 2014 Santa Cruz 5010 frame; Brompton S2E-X 2014; Brompton M3E 2014
Can't do it. Even if I tell you what pack I'm rocking there is no guarantee that you could find it in Singapore or even whether it won't be suddenly discontinued for one reason or another. When you are ready to spend money go to your friendly neighborhood outdoor equipment retailer (or their website) and look around.
#4
Day trip lover
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 813
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From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
You could try something along the lines of a Camelbak, I'm fairly certain they make something along the lines of a day bag. But like Leisesturm said, can't really recommend anything specific.
#5
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
there are some daypacks with a tensioned mesh back panel . Im not in sales, i dont know brand names.
but for the place you are, Equatorial, Klick Fix has a backpack you hang on a seat post bracket while you ride,
Then it pops off to put it on your back when you are off the bike. IE its off your Back when on the bike.
the seat post mount is usable with many Klick-Fix products + Ortlieb handlebar bags ..
but for the place you are, Equatorial, Klick Fix has a backpack you hang on a seat post bracket while you ride,
Then it pops off to put it on your back when you are off the bike. IE its off your Back when on the bike.
the seat post mount is usable with many Klick-Fix products + Ortlieb handlebar bags ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-23-16 at 10:44 AM.
#6
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dr. Dew, Moose Bicycle XXL (fat bike), Yuba Mundo V3
No guarantees any of these are obtainable in Singapore. You may have to order them online and get them shipped, which will not be cheap.
Timbuk2 Especial Cuatro
Cycling Laptop Backpack 2015 - Especial Cuatro Backpack | Timbuk2 Bags
Giant, expandable, waterproof materials, reflective bits all over, air channels and ventilated mesh.
Boreas makes some semi-modular packs where the pack is suspended on a frame with a mesh back, such as the Bootlegger.
https://www.boreasgear.com/collections/packs
I haven't personally use the Boreas packs, though.
Timbuk2 Especial Cuatro
Cycling Laptop Backpack 2015 - Especial Cuatro Backpack | Timbuk2 Bags
Giant, expandable, waterproof materials, reflective bits all over, air channels and ventilated mesh.
Boreas makes some semi-modular packs where the pack is suspended on a frame with a mesh back, such as the Bootlegger.
https://www.boreasgear.com/collections/packs
I haven't personally use the Boreas packs, though.
#7
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Tout Terrain (German Bikes) dropped making their seat post mounted rack & removable back pack ..
there was a 3 section pannier that worked as a back pack when you tool it off the rear rack.
nothing separated to go on the rack it just clipped on and folded over..
there was a 3 section pannier that worked as a back pack when you tool it off the rear rack.
nothing separated to go on the rack it just clipped on and folded over..
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-25-16 at 11:25 AM.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,498
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Sekine 1979 ten speed racer
At that volume, why don't you strap a duffel bag or sports bag to your rear rack?
I'm not a fan of wearing a backpack when I ride. I understand everybody has his own preferences. 20 L is pretty big. In fact I've gone through experimenting with many bags and currently I do have a large volume packpack strapped and bungeed to the rear rack.
I'm not a fan of wearing a backpack when I ride. I understand everybody has his own preferences. 20 L is pretty big. In fact I've gone through experimenting with many bags and currently I do have a large volume packpack strapped and bungeed to the rear rack.
#9
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 184
From: south Puget Sound
I tried a 20L Osprey cycling pack, liked it, but it had too many 'cycling features' that I don't use that cluttered up the 20L available. So now I am using a 30L osprey cycling pack and it is nearly ideal.
Actually in between I tried a 30L Osprey non-cycling pack and I could not ride with it at all (internal frame for daypack jammed into my neck...) but I really loved that pack for hiking and travel. So now I have the 30L cycling pack for commuting and a 40L version of the original non-cycling pack for non cycling.
Actually in between I tried a 30L Osprey non-cycling pack and I could not ride with it at all (internal frame for daypack jammed into my neck...) but I really loved that pack for hiking and travel. So now I have the 30L cycling pack for commuting and a 40L version of the original non-cycling pack for non cycling.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
I'm one of those who generally don't like cycling with backpacks although a small hydration pack (enough for up to 3L water plus a seat pack worth of extra stuff) is sometimes acceptable. However, for day trips and overnighters where I would need more space, I'd go with a rack pack, the new bikepacking saddle or handlebar packs or a small set of traditional touring bags (ok, maybe the last for an overnighter, not a day trip). Futhermore, Singapore, I understand can be hot and humid, I'd rather have nothing on my back in those conditions.
#11
Full Member

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 28
From: Charleston, SC
I'm one of those who generally don't like cycling with backpacks although a small hydration pack (enough for up to 3L water plus a seat pack worth of extra stuff) is sometimes acceptable. However, for day trips and overnighters where I would need more space, I'd go with a rack pack, the new bikepacking saddle or handlebar packs or a small set of traditional touring bags (ok, maybe the last for an overnighter, not a day trip). Futhermore, Singapore, I understand can be hot and humid, I'd rather have nothing on my back in those conditions.
Ortlieb Vario - mikesbikes.com
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Bozeman
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Whatever you do, don't get a pack with a hard frame that goes against your back. I have a pack that's perfectly comfortable when I'm using it while hiking, but when I'm biking the curve that generally goes into the small of my back jams into the center of my back. Very uncomfortable.






