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^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
I got a chance to Ride the new 2010 Xtracycle Radish, Its a lot more stable then the former years, it feels almost like a normal bike, expecial with no load on it, its not so squirrely, if you get a chance try it out. It's pretty sweet, I hope to get one someday. |
Anyone prefer a backpack to panniers? I'll take my Topeak rack trunk w/ fold down pannier over my old backpack any day. Used to use a backpack when I first started commuting, but felt liberated once I got the rack trunk/pannier system. So nice to not have a sweaty back EVERY DAY. Plus, my rack trunk has a shoulder strap, so once I take it off the bike, I just throw it over my shoulder and away I go. Super convenient. |
Originally Posted by EKW in DC
(Post 10801789)
... So nice to not have a sweaty back...
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Originally Posted by vaticdart
(Post 10795941)
If all you do is ride to work everyday, then ride home, then I can see how panniers would be better. I definitely prefer them for longer rides and rides outside of the city.
However, for riding in the city, and with all the various and random stops that I make on the way home (bars, cafes, restaurants, social rides, etc), panniers are a pain. I tried them for about two weeks and went back to a messenger bag. Considering how often I have to shoulder my bike, flip it around, lock it to weird or odd objects, panniers simply get in the way far more than any benefit they offer. I want the weight on bulk on my back, out of the way (mostly). I also tried a trunk bag and had the same experience. Also, if your messenger bag is swinging around, it's either not a messenger bag or you don't have it strapped down properly. A good messenger bag should feel like a solid, strong hug, and will move only slightly, if at all. I wouldn't use a messenger bag if it swung around, I do far too much sprinting in heavy traffic to have to worry about something that inane. |
Originally Posted by BassNotBass
(Post 10802002)
I wish I knew what that felt like. I get one while riding in 18°F temps wearing just a cotton shirt, a hoodie and no backpack. ;)
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I ride 12 miles to work (one-way). I tried the pannier thing for a while, but I hated the way the bike handled with them; I felt like I was pulling a drag chute behind me. Panniers also encouraged me to carry more things than I needed because I had the space. The heftiest thing I brought with me as the laptop, but I realized that I rarely used it at work. There were a number of other things that I ferried back and forth from home and work that could just stay at work. Once I ditched all that, all I had left was clothes, lunch and the repair kit. I also started leaving my pants at work recently and bring them home at the end of the week to be washed. I still bring the shirts home every night.
Regular book bag type packs suck. What you want is a narrow, back hugging mountaineering pack. I've been using this Black Diamond pack for a while and love it: http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com...n/packs/magnum. The cinch cord lets you take up any extra fabric so nothing is swaying around or flapping in the wind. It also has a loop and sleeve to hang a water bladder inside. |
Just me, but the idea of wearing a backpack makes me want to hurl. A dairy crate has solved all my carry issues.
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Originally Posted by JeremyZ
(Post 10800151)
...Mr. IGH - Do you know if they make one of those baskets that slides into the Topeak rack? By the way, what city do you live in?
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Originally Posted by Mr IGH
(Post 10805494)
I have a Topeak rack and slide-in basket on one of my bikes, I'm getting ready to ditch the slider and zip-tie it, the system rattles when unloaded. I'm in Schaumburg.
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I've never understood why cyclist use backpacks, unless your ride is so short that the issue of attaching a pannier or trunk bag to the bike takes up too much time. The added sweat and weight/strain is a no go for me and my half hour ride.
That said, I have a pannier but don't use it much for commutes. I use it a lot for shopping or errand running using the bike, but it's too big for commuting. A trunk bag that I strap to my rear rack does the trick for me. I fit a lot into it, and it has several zippered compartments for necessities. To be candid, my trunk bag is really my purse. :o My wallet and keys go in one compartment, my tools and patch kit in another, and my rain cape, lunch, and change of shirt in the main compartment. It's expandable, which is great since sometimes I need to lug my coat or gloves/hat with me home, since it warms up on many days. Love my trunk bag. :D |
Originally Posted by thdave
(Post 10805680)
I've never understood why cyclist use backpacks, unless your ride is so short that the issue of attaching a pannier or trunk bag to the bike takes up too much time. The added sweat and weight/strain is a no go for me and my half hour ride.
1. They've already got one. 2. They ride hard and get sweaty anyway. 3. They don't like the way their bike handles with the extra weight/aerodynamic drag of loaded panniers. 4. Backpacks are nicer for carrying their stuff once they get off the bike 5. Backpacks work on any bike, rack or not. 6. Having extra bags/panniers makes the bike less manageable in crowded situations: trains, elevators, etc. It's probably worth pointing out that some backpacks do a reasonable job of getting air to flow over your back so that sweat isn't as much of a problem. Even considering the above, any solution that allows you to carry your stuff on the bike has obvious advantages that for many people are well worth the trade off. I think that's the key point to remember. There's not a single *right* way of doing things and its good that there are so many options. |
My backpack fully loaded (including a heavy U-lock) is less than 20 pounds. That's less than the 30 pounds of flab I used to carry on my body, so even while wearing my backpack, I'm lighter than I used to be. The point being, I don't really consider a backpack to be extra weight.
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groovestew: I guess you won't worry about landing on your U-lock an breaking your spine?
One thing I had not considered about backpacks is that the extra weight can be a benefit when you stand up to mash. In that case, weight = power. Not so with a pannier or rack bag. |
Originally Posted by chipcom
(Post 10805534)
Having racks on four of my bikes, plus various Topeak bags and that basket, the convenience of the slider outweighs the rattle for me.
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Originally Posted by JeremyZ
(Post 10806116)
groovestew: I guess you won't worry about landing on your U-lock an breaking your spine?
One thing I had not considered about backpacks is that the extra weight can be a benefit when you stand up to mash. In that case, weight = power. Not so with a pannier or rack bag. The scariest backpack wreck scenario I've heard about was the guy who busted a growler of beer in his backpack in a wreck. Yikes! As to weight on back helping the hammering, I don't feel that so much, BUT hammering on a relatively unencumbered bike is WAY MORE FUN than hammering on a bike with a buncha junk in the trunk. Today I took my pannier equipped bike in to work, pulling the trailer AND wearing my backpack. |
Originally Posted by tjspiel
(Post 10805870)
This is not a recommendation but here's few reasons why people use them:
1. They've already got one. 2. They ride hard and get sweaty anyway. 3. They don't like the way their bike handles with the extra weight/aerodynamic drag of loaded panniers. 4. Backpacks are nicer for carrying their stuff once they get off the bike 5. Backpacks work on any bike, rack or not. 6. Having extra bags/panniers makes the bike less manageable in crowded situations: trains, elevators, etc. It's probably worth pointing out that some backpacks do a reasonable job of getting air to flow over your back so that sweat isn't as much of a problem. Even considering the above, any solution that allows you to carry your stuff on the bike has obvious advantages that for many people are well worth the trade off. I think that's the key point to remember. There's not a single *right* way of doing things and its good that there are so many options. |
For commuting I'm fine with my backpack - I might end up getting a grocery-pannier that I can toss my backpack into for a cheap solution, as most of the messenger/backpack-panniers I find are pretty expensive. My commute is only 5k each way, and I shower at the gym before heading into the office anyways - so getting a bit sweaty isn't that much of an issue.
For recreational rides / training rides - I prefer my rack-top bag. It doesn't get in the way taking it onto elevators/escalators/etc, removes easily, converts into a small back-pack if needed, and big enough to hold a few layers / tools / snacks / drinks. The weight of my backpack starts to get bothersome after anything longer than a few K. |
Originally Posted by thdave
(Post 10807390)
Good points, except for the manageability, imo. A backpack makes you less manageble, too, and for me and my trunk bag, I don't notice a lick of manageability issues. Even my pannier is a minor issue.
A bag laden bike is also less wieldy (hahaha) when hanging on hooks on the train or loading onto bus racks, car racks, trunk of the taxi, etc... Panniers are a pain for multi-stop trips, also. Since I have my bags on today, I'm only stopping at one store. If I had my backpack, I could happily hit up the bank, Target, grocery, Deli, video store all on the way home, not so with the panniers. The only backpack manageability hit I can think of is in crowds. Squeezing through the throngs in a rush hour train pretty much has to be done with your pack held in front of you. |
Originally Posted by thdave
(Post 10807390)
Good points, except for the manageability, imo. A backpack makes you less manageble, too, and for me and my trunk bag, I don't notice a lick of manageability issues. Even my pannier is a minor issue.
Ortlieb City Biker http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...fL._SS360_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...DL._SS360_.jpg |
Originally Posted by thdave
(Post 10807390)
... A backpack makes you less manageble, too, ...
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^-- Depending on what you are doing. I hate going into stores (especially cramped convenience stores) with a backpack on, I'm always paranoid I'm going to take out one of the shelves with my bag.
I've been eying up the Arkel Metropolitan http://www.ecovelo.info/images/arkel-metro-01-tn.jpg Which also converts into a messenger bag and removes from the bike easily. It'd be good as my commuter / kick-around-town bag. |
There's a special bodega shopping while wearing backpack technique.
1. Get in a big fight with the cashier because they want to keep your bag behind the counter while you shop. 2. Never turn mid-aisle. Use your peripheral vision to spot your prey, then fling arms out to either side to seize your Milk Duds, Snapple and Twinkies. Or you could hold your bag in front of you, but then shopkeeper's gonna be even more convinced your robbing them blind. |
Originally Posted by opie
(Post 10807465)
My messenger bag is much more manageable off the bike. The topeak bag is more manageable on the bike. Which is why I started the thread. I'm looking for the best of both worlds. I think I might have found it. It's expensive but if it attaches to the rack well and i can pull it off and wear as a messenger bag for the walk to work etc. I think this will work really well
Ortlieb City Biker |
Originally Posted by thdave
(Post 10807390)
Good points, except for the manageability, imo. A backpack makes you less manageble, too, and for me and my trunk bag, I don't notice a lick of manageability issues. Even my pannier is a minor issue.
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Originally Posted by opie
(Post 10807465)
My messenger bag is much more manageable off the bike. The topeak bag is more manageable on the bike. Which is why I started the thread. I'm looking for the best of both worlds. I think I might have found it. It's expensive but if it attaches to the rack well and i can pull it off and wear as a messenger bag for the walk to work etc. I think this will work really well
Ortlieb City Biker |
Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
(Post 10807449)
When I first started out, just getting a bare bike through a doorway (especially those with a stiff return spring or automatic sliders) or up or down stairs was quite a challenge. It's a bit more of a challenge with bags on.
A bag laden bike is also less wieldy (hahaha) when hanging on hooks on the train or loading onto bus racks, car racks, trunk of the taxi, etc... Panniers are a pain for multi-stop trips, also. Since I have my bags on today, I'm only stopping at one store. If I had my backpack, I could happily hit up the bank, Target, grocery, Deli, video store all on the way home, not so with the panniers. The only backpack manageability hit I can think of is in crowds. Squeezing through the throngs in a rush hour train pretty much has to be done with your pack held in front of you. |
Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
(Post 10807449)
Panniers are a pain for multi-stop trips, also. Since I have my bags on today, I'm only stopping at one store. If I had my backpack, I could happily hit up the bank, Target, grocery, Deli, video store all on the way home, not so with the panniers.
However, how are they a pain on multiple stops? I find I can carry quite a bit more in a pair of panniers than my backpack. I've used my panniers for multiple stops also. Unless your overly concerned about people rifling through your panniers, I think they actually have the edge over backpacks on multiple trips. The growing weight is off your back! I have encountered stores that don't allow backpacks, which at that point its strapped to the bike just like a pannier. |
Got rid the of panniers completely a few years back... okay, more like 12 years ago.
If it's too heavy for the backpack, I'm pulling the trailer. |
yeah well if you ride in nyc, multi-stop and panniers left on bike = no worky
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Originally Posted by corkscrew
(Post 10812250)
I'll agree that the wider profile of panniers can make it a pain to move/store the bike.
However, how are they a pain on multiple stops? I find I can carry quite a bit more in a pair of panniers than my backpack. I've used my panniers for multiple stops also. Unless your overly concerned about people rifling through your panniers, I think they actually have the edge over backpacks on multiple trips. The growing weight is off your back! I have encountered stores that don't allow backpacks, which at that point its strapped to the bike just like a pannier. While there are places that won't let you wander the store carrying a backpack, I haven't yet come across one that wouldn't keep it someplace for you while you shop. |
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