After being a messenger bag man since starting my commuting last spring, I took the plunge into rack/pannier world. I love it! I admit, I had to get over the geek factor of having bags attached to the bike, but now that I have them, it is well worth it. I can't wait for warmer temps now and not having a sauna on my back. Count me as one more convert.

Welcome to the club. [Troll]Anyone who uses a messenger bag or backpack is a fool.[/Troll]

The difference in hot weather is terrific. Enjoy.

O RLY?

Twice I have had my panniers get caught in my rear wheel. My commute is only 10 miles, so I'm a backpack commuter. (When I carry stuff).

Yikes! When your panniers got stuck, what happened to you!?

How the hell did you do that? Decent panniers have stiffeners in them to keep them out of the spokes. Better racks also have extra support towards the rear to help keep this from happening.

The only time something has gone into my rear spokes was when I had an empty soft-side cooler tied to the side of the rack, with a full water bottle hanging off the back of it. Water bottle got wedged between the spokes and the rack and ripped open. I coasted to a stop and pulled it out and threw it away.

I had that happen a couple of times with my original rack, so I rigged a horizontal strut across the rack to stop the bottom rear coner of the bag swinging into the wheel. Then I got a Radial Explorack that is designed to prevent this happening - other quality racks are similar

what kind of panniers did you have?