I do...every day. Panniers make a difference. And of course they're not on the front.

Boston streets...I tried panniers + laptop. Mistake. Big mistake.

I'm not familiar with trek's mounting system, but if it falls off then it is poorly designed.

Being able to pick up beer and munchies on the way home is a huge advantage. The OP wanted to know the advantages of panniers vs. backpacks, so i simply stated one. If you want to pick it apart with a fine comb then feel free. BTW a milk crate is tiny compared to open ortlieb rollers, and less secure too since with the ortliebs you can cinch down the top.

Only the crappy ones fall off. In years of cycling, it has never happened to me once, and I've ridden almost each day in the last three years. I do much more with my bike than going to work. I do shopping and groceries with it too, so top-heaviness is a concern. Carrying notes, books and a laptop, my u-lock, lunch and sometimes other stuff is certainly much more of a hassle.

I've used a backpack for years and made the switch for good. I know perfectly well how each system works. I'm not saying backpacks and messenger bags can't work, heck, I use both too, but panniers are the best solution to me.

Absolutely not. You're putting all the panniers in the same description. You need to acknowledge not all panniers are the same. If you're using touring panniers in the city, I can only say WTF. Different panniers for different uses make sense. Most panniers companies have these panniers that convert to backpacks or messenger-like bags.

The panniers I am describing for city use are different than touring panniers. To me these have all the advantages of both systems.

First of all, I don't see why I'd take my bike vertical in the escalator when I take it in the subway. Secondly, I can't do that because I have fenders and they would hit the floor. Third, if I had to take my bike vertical, I'd get the panniers off the bike and onto my back.

Oh wow...the pics are all missing Toto! lol

As a soon-to-be commuter, I really have no idea what works or not. I do know I don't like the look of racks, baskets, fenders, etc on my bike so I'm going to start with a backpack or messenger bag (I was watching some vids of NYC bike messengers on youtube last night and I see where the term "messenger bag" came from. Those dudes are CRAZY, too...) and see how that goes. If it works, cool...if not, I'll go from there. A skinny bag that hangs down from the top tube or something might be cool...if it even exists...

After reading the replies, it seems to me to depend mainly on application, temperature, fitness level, distance traveled, shopping habits, etc.

In short, you're not getting anything out of this. Try both. It's a long life and you have plenty of time to experiment. Try a backpack for a year, then try panniers. See which is best for you. I'll stick with my backpack and sweaty back. I don't carry all that much. An occasonal book or stack of papers. My commute is 16 miles. Even the empty rack would be an annoyance much less a rack with empty panniers on it.

I commute with a backpack. Previously to this, I commuted with panniers. I changed because I switched to a folding bike, and didn't want anything to interfere with the fold.

When I set up my new commuting folder, I'll find some panniers that don't interfere with the fold, and hopefully a rack that isn't too big and clunky. I don't see any good reason to add unnecessary weight to my shoulders and back, even if it's only a change of clothes.

I carried a laptop in my Jandd panniers for years, in their laptop sleeve. It's suspended from the top of the pannier, so it absorbs much less road vibration than stuff sitting at the bottom. No problems at all--I'm typing on that laptop this very moment.

If your panniers are falling off your bike, something's wrong. Did you use a rack approved by the manufacturer? Did you follow directions? As for moving the goalposts: backpacks can cause rotator cuff injury if you use the wrong one, or don't know how to fit one. There's a downside to everything if you do it stupidly. Which I do. Often.

People's opinions on how to carry their stuff varies as much as what type of bike to ride. For the most part it's personal preference after the trial and error process. If you think that you can make do with a backpack, then try it. You determine that's not your thing, so be it. Try something else. As for me, it's the milk crate + ? (Now to find a rack that will allow me to mount my old Nashbar Townie baskets along w/ said crate....)

I guess the thread was "Panniers vs Backpack," but of course we've all mentioned milk crates, messenger bags, and other methods as well. I'm surprised nobody mentioned trailers! (Unless I missed that part of the thread).

I actually see a lot of bicycles with trailers. Most of the time they are hauling kids, but often it just looks like they are hauling groceries or some other gear. I've seen some bikes pulling the longer trailers as well (that don't have the child seats) and Xtracycles seem to be getting more popular these days. I've even seen a number of adult tricycles with platform racks lately.

But if you really need to haul a lot of stuff on your commute, panniers and backpacks are for wimps. Get yourself one of those industrial utility trikes that have the huge platform beds on the front. You know... the ones that you can use to haul and sell ice cream, deliver cut flowers, etc. If you find one change of work clothes to be limiting, you'll be able to carry your entire wardrobe around with you!

Sean

YES! I plan on getting a trailor for going to the store and haulin my daughter around till she's old enough to ride her own bike. I forgot to mention that. It's a good way (pretty much the only way, really) to do it if you have to carry a lot of stuff but don't want the saddle bag/rack look...like me...

+1

The Bug is Great! It's not cheap, but it's totally worth every single Cnd. cent it'll cost you.

I picked up a trunk bag, rack, and some small panniers to replace my backpack. The ride is much more enjoyable, as the freedom of movement is much greater. I fit clothes and such in one side, towel, bike tools and such in the other. I use the trunk bag for cell, wallet, lunch, keys, etc. I don't have to worry about removing anything, though, since I keep my bike inside my office which I can lock.

Sounds like a great setup! I'm definitely finding that a second pannier would be nice.

+1 per day at least