I used to use a backpack, but decided it was too much weight on my back everyday (not to mention made my back sweat like crazy!)

so anyhow do you use pannier bags, backpack or something else... and do you think it might be bad for your back?

Panniers keep the center of gravity low, take the weight off the cyclist, don't make your back sweat and are in every way superior.

Panniers are the best!!! I can carry lots of stuff or nothing at all, doesn't seem to make a lot of difference. I picked mine up for $5.00 at Value Village, best investment of my biking career! Backpacks really screw up ventilation when wearing a jacket and I can't see around one with my helmet mirror.

Panniers. Backpacks simply make it too hot as far as I'm concerned (take it from someone who has commuted in temps > 40C )

Panniers, definately. I have ridden with both, and panniers are better by far.

I like panniers when I am touring but as far as the commute is concerned I have to stick with the backpack. I do all my shopping on my way home and for security and ease I will stick with the back pack. I must agree though it does make ones back sweat that s the only drawback I can see. I don't even feel the weight of it anymore.

I'm a backpack man. I did try panniers for a while but for the distance and time I was travelling I found that I spent more time putting them on and off the bike than I did anything else.

Having said that I'm thinking of putting a pannier rack back on for the days when I want to carry a bit more.

Panniers for the reasons above, but also because I think backpacks restrict your ability to check behind you (if heavily loaded), and upset balance more easily.

panniers for my commuting clothes and heavy stuff...

except i also carry a packpack with my basic papers and stuff in it. i have a special Deuter backpack with a mesh back so there is lots of airflow so the "sweaty back" is minimized.

i often think i should leave the backpack at home, but i just like having all my "stuff" with me.

occaisonally when i ride one of my other bikes to the office i carry all my gear in the backpack as the full suspension and road bike don't have racks. it works for occaisonal riding, but i don't like so much weight on the back and wouldn't do it every day.

Those people who think panniers take a long time to fit or remove, you must be using the wrong style.
For touring, it may be OK to have a slow-fitting system, you put them on in the morning and take them off in the afternoon.
For my riding around town, I often remove the bags 4 or 5 times. Modern clip-on fittings take about a second to attatch or remove. Not all modern panniers have modern fittings, but Ortleib and even the retro styled carradice have them. You shouldnt mess around with hooks on bits of elastic.

I use panniers in winter when I have to carry more clothing to work and have to keep my cold/rain gear handy just in case. I use a messenger bag during the warmer months.

I've used backpack, panniers, messenger bag, and saddlebag. I have now settled into using the messenger bag almost exclusively. It has become my constant companion, even off the bike--sorta my "mans purse." It serves as my brief case when I travel. It gives me more flexability for changing bikes for my commute. If I go out to the garage and my fixie that I normally commute on has a flat, I have the option to simply hop on my of my other bikes. If I needed to park my bike somewhere besides my office (or when I run to the store), I don't have to fumble with taking off/putting on panniers.

I will add though, that if I had a lot of stuff to carry--like say a laptop, I'd use panniers.

Dave

Prefere a trailer with a bag over anything else. ihave a B.O.B. Yak trailer with the water proof dry sak.

I love my panniers. I use to ride with a backpack, but I could not stand my back getting all sweaty (especially when going to work).

I do have a Timbuk2 messenger bag, in case I need to haul a little more than my panniers can carry. The messenger bag, if set up right, can be comfortable. I have it set up so the weight sits on the rear side of my hip/lower lower back. I don't sweat nearly as much.

The only thing I don't like about the messenger bag is sometimes, when bunnyhopping or hitting a big bump, the strap will dismount from my shoulder and fall onto my arm. It hasn't caused a wreck as of yet, but my riding is more cautions because of it.

Backpack.

I tried panniers, and in spite of mounting with two quick velcro attachments and quick-pull up straps, it's still a pain.

That backpack can make my back sweaty, but I'm going to shower when I get there anyway.

As far as a pannier lowering my center-of-gravity, I don't think 5-10 lbs on my back versus over my rear wheel is going to change anything compared to the extra 20lbs around my waist that needs to be trimmed....

Panniers.

I can't understand these problems with taking panniers off - but maybe it's the panniers. Mine are simple Altura ones with what I thought was pretty much a standard Rixen & Kaul fixing system - press large button and pull to remove, or simply slide hooks onto rail to fit - either action takes literally two seconds, less than unshouldering a rucksack carried on two shoulders and only the same as unshouldering a single shouldered bag.

Predictable weight balance, no discomfort, greater capacity - panniers make sense.

Richard

I used a backpack for many years and hated how sweaty it made my back. I switched to a trailer this past spring and would never go back. I would have considered paniers, but the dog is too big for them.

Panniers, and the farther the ride the less tolerable I think backpacks become.

It also helps a lot if you have secure bike parking so you can leave the panniers permanently mounted to your commuting bike.

RichC

i will never go back to backpacks. the comment above about the "longer the ride, the worse a backpack becomes" is right on the mark. panniers are super convenient and MUCH more comfortable. and to anyone who doesn't think a backpack raises your center of gravity much--you must not carry much in the backpack. i've tried carrying stuff both ways and it sure is more stable with panniers, especially on high-speed descents!

I should add, that I also made the switch to panniers because I commute to the university and often have to carry 10-15 lbs of books with me, in addition to cloths, shoes, lock, and tools... so the weight thing was an issue...

as for removing panniers I bought a 'cheap' set of bags, which attached by 4 belt type straps and 2 small bungie cords attached to the bag... it would take 2-3 minutes to remove at the most.... perhaps some people are trying to remove the whole pannier rack? which would be a pain considering you have to get tools out to remove it...

Right now I use a backpack, of which I'm not a fan.; Soon (after I pay off my new baby) I'll get a rack and some decent panniers. Suggestions (I'll do a search anyway)

You can see a modern instant clip-on fitting for panniers here:

https://www.carradice.co.uk/technical-info.htm

https://www.klickfix.de/gepaeck3e.htm

No need for any velcro.

When I switched to a Srumpjumper for my commutes, I didn't have the rack installed - I went w/ a Camelback - Their largest modle - found the ability to have it sit a little lower on my back and the ability to connect a belt at the waist as well as the chest secured the bag well.

Center of gravity is indeed higher - I liked the performance of the bike more w/ the weight off the rear panniers, however. I have gotten rid of the Stumpjumper and will be riding a Bacchetta recumbent - I will be interested in seeing how I will manage the load then on my commute to school everyday.

For longer tours I am planning on pulling a BOB rather than using panniers.

Tim

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MichaelW
You can see a modern instant clip-on fitting for panniers here:

I posted earlier that I used a backpack because it was quicker than the panniers that I have, which are cheap ones from Nashbar. Might take only 30 seconds (more or less) to latch on, but even 3 seconds is longer than it takes for me to put on a backpack.

My ride is about 6 miles (10km) long each way, and in my backpack I carry tools, pump, clothes, wallet and keys. Maybe 5-7 lbs (2.25-3.25kg).
I never notice the weight. And as I said before, I don't worry about my back getting sweaty because the rest of me gets very sweaty, with or without a backpack, and I have to shower anyway.

I think all I'm saying is that a backpack works FOR ME. And I spent maybe $15 (US) for this backpack several years ago. I don't think I can get quick-and-convenient panniers for anything near that.

Now when I go on longer, recreational rides, I do use my panniers because the times spent mounting and unmounting them is a tiny fraction of the total time spent on the ride.

Enjoy your riding!

hey bradw, i totally understand. if i'm just doing a short ride in the city to go to the bank or go shopping at the bike shop or something i often take the backpack and no pannier(s).

actually, my main reason for not taking the panniers the times that i do has nothing to do with attaching/detaching them from the bike/rack, but that if i ride somewhere like a shopping center or a restaurant and then go inside for a few hours and walk around, the backpack is much easier to carry and much less bulky. (squeezing down shopping isles in a clothing or harware store or whatever with one or 2 full panniers over my shoulder is no fun)

like i said above, except for recreational ride only (actually, i usually have a camelback) i pretty much ALWAYS have my backpack with me, although i put most of the stuff in the pannier(s) for commuting or major shopping or whatever.

but the backpack is super convenient on and OFF the bike - but not if you have to ride with very much in it!