Higher CG is definitely something to watch out for.

I've had as much as 1/3rd of my body weight in a bag and it can get a little hairy at that point.

Obviously, the size of the cyclist enters into this. I'm 140lbs and 5' 6" or so. I am going to hit my upper limit before someone 6'3", 220lbs is going to.

I'd think panniers would be better for Winter.

Personally, I don't like stuff hanging off the bike - it's inconvenient when it comes to running around doing errands from a security POV - it also makes the bike no fun to ride for me - otherwise I'd go that route.

Thanks Warren.. Great advice. Was there a reason you chose NOT to get sadle bags other than the cool factor (my bias)? I suppose the messenger style bags are more versatile for off bike uses, which I would employ too.
Paul

My only bike is a Trek 2300 road-racing bike. I don't have any interest in taking up more space in my apartment with a dedicated commuter bike, and I'm a lot more agile and comfortable on the road bike anyway. I'm not even sure if it's capable of accepting a rank and panniers, but I wouldn't put them on such a bike even if it were capable. I would also not want the bother of having to remove and replace them all the time for different kinds of rides (pleasure rides, training rides, commute rides, group rides, and so on).

And, yes, I use my Chrome bag to carry my work stuff every day, whether I commute by car or by bike. (Currently, I'm commuting by bike two days a week).

Personally, I'd much rather focus on reducing the amount of crap I actually need to carry, instead of trying to increase the amount of crap I'm capable of carrying. (Some of the other commuters on the forum routinely carry around an astounding amount of what seems to me to be unnecessary crap.) Since I still commute by car, and will continue to do so ocassionally, I can always plan a little ahead and avoid having to carry much on the bike.

- Warren

Warren and all,
Yeah, My beloved gave me crap about the "man-purse" issue. I'm thinking of sewing in my own zippered pockets on a messenger bag to fit those things you mentioned. You'd think that they would already be in there after all of these years. I wonder if its a purist thing. Due to my relatively short daily commute and the need to have as little stuff actually on the bike, I have decided to go with a Chrome bag. Now about that size thing.....I have such a rough life :-) Paul