A messenger bag with that amount of weight in it must damage your back. Do you suffer from back pains because of the muscle imbalance a messenger bag creates by being on only one shoulder?

(another vote for back packs here, i like being able to jump off the bike and have everything on me)

No I don't get it. Should I? Please explain if it's relevant. I'm not interested in tracking down a cryptic reference.

It appears that humor would be wasted on you, so forget I mentioned it.

I've ridden with a large camping backpack, carrying a guitar and a violin, and mostly using the drops on my road bike. I used the waist strap where I would if I were camping, and it didn't interfere with my legs.

However, I'm not a backpack person any more. I always found that even on the coldest days, a backpack made my back sweaty. I could have worn cooler clothing and then my back wouldn't have gotten sweaty but my chest and arms would have been freezing cold.

I am also a backpack person. Not by my choice since the pannier upgrade is still a ways away.
Even in cold weather it makes my back sweat and breakout. bleh!

I can't wait for the weather to get a little colder for the sole (sp?) reason that I won't have to carry anything on my back anymore. I can put my keys,phone, wallet, and id in my fleece. I keep a weeks worth of clothes and dopp kit at the office. Right now I am carrying an old blackburn hydration pack without the water. Weighs next to nothing and my few items that i need to carry go in there. In the afternoon I put my wind pants in the to ride home in ride in my bike shorts.

The trouble with backpacks- as I see it- is that it doesn't give me enough room for clothing options. I need a set of rain gear with me most days, and mornings and evenings have a 30-40 degree temp. difference this time of year- so I'll need to disrobe at some point. Quite simply- I need more room... panniers and bags rule the day for commuting.

Hahahaha! I'm that guy too. Ppl look at me weird sometimes, I really do look like i'm on fire. :)

You sound like you could benefit from the cheap-o waterproof plastic bin solution I use. (one of those 14-gallon or so plastic bins bungie-ed to the top of a rear rack.) Since I couldn't get a nice used set of downpour-proof panniers, that was the next best thing.

Yeah.but, my panniers will carry my warmest jacket.. and results in less sweat trapped on my back..

no, the weight gets distributed pretty well and most of it is on your chest

Backpacks rule, panniers drool.

Wow, I could probably fit inside that. I guess at night it doubles as a bivy sack? External frame packs have superior ventilation, though. YMMV

I am curious if a commuter could fill a quarter of that bag with anything normally taken to work/school. Or are jumbo bags just like closets that automatically find stuff until filled to capacity? On the days when I would need to haul 9 2L bottles, 50 lbs, or a piano to work I would use my car.

The perfect commuter backpack if you are asking me...Pearl Izumi Velocipak.

• Yoke-style mesh-lined shoulder straps with tube guides and compression straps adjust for multiple activities
• Hydrophobic air mesh foam on the back for moisture management
• Internal compartment contains storage divider and internal mesh pocket for ease of organization
• Zippered front pocket and side-mounted storage holsters separate essentials
• Intertwined shock cord provides worry-free external storage
• Coated ballistic nylon on bottom resists moisture and abrasion
• Includes removable padded storage unit for a laptop computer or documents
• Stowable waterproof rain cover fits snugly around pack for the ultimate protection
• Detachable 3M Scotchlite™ Prism reflective strips


I stuck one of those reflective triangles underneath the shock cord and hung blinkies on each side and off the back. Can't beat it.

Sounds pretty good, but I'll stick to my Wingnut Gear Adventure pack. PWNS all packs except when it comes to internal divided storage. The "wing pockets" are the bomb, and the pack is waterproof so it doesn't need a cover. Did I mention it also take a up to a 3 liter hydration bladder?

(<--- hugs pack)

The perfect (back)pack for commuting - for me -is one that is not on my back but is carried by the bike.

I bought the black gym bag in the attached picture in 1999 or 2000 and have used it almost every day since. When it is raining I cover it with a large plastic shopping bag. Holds everything I need clothes, food, tools, odds and ends. If I had an inclination to carry a laptop it would fit (but a USB Thumb Drive or PCI hard drive fits a lot better). Cost about $8. Extra green canvas bag bought for $3 is great for gloves, hats, extra cds, cans of soda pop, etc. Hydration needs are met by a $5 extra large water bottle holder.

I love backpacks. And dislike panniers. As someone else said, I like to hop off my bike and have all my stuff on me. And I don't want to be walking around our pretty big campus with a pannier in each hand... :)