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.

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.

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.

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

I take it that you've never been hiking? A good backpack can be one of the most efficient and manageable ways to carry a load... that's why hikers use them. It also takes the weight off of the bike and makes the bike less awkward to maneuver. But then some of us actually carry a lot of stuff. My daily pack has about 30 lbs worth.

^-- 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



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.

That's pretty awesome. I'm very impressed by Ortlieb products. I'd need something bigger though.

A backpack or bag means I take up more space yes, but there are people with no bags at all who take up more room than I would with bags hanging off both my front and back. A bike in a crowded train or elevator is tricky to maneuver. Put loaded panniers on it and it's that much worse.

I had a bag similar to that (paid $60) I think it was a Detour. 10 L is good enough for your lunch and a sweater, but it wasn't big enough for me to use as a commuter bag. Plus the plastic clips broke off after 2 weeks. I superglued 'em back on but wasn't impressed. If the Ortlieb has metal hooks, I'd get it, but it's still pretty pricey. I preferred my old folding wire basket with my backpack tossed in as the most 'wearable' solution, frankly. I have yet to find a pannier that I can wear comfortably as a bag - the hard sides and hooks eat my clothing.

Nice post--I stand corrected!

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.

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

If I'm coming from or going to work I generally have a laptop with me so yes I'm very concerned about somebody going through my panniers (or just walking off with them).

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.

I bought the Topeak rack and DXP bag with Panniers also, used a backpack and seat post rack for years, and would never want to
change back. I can not commute to work,(work out of my house), but rather commute mostly for shopping.
I have a choice of 3 towns to ride to, closest, 12 mile round trip, very small town, 2nd 22 mile round trip, a few
more stores to choose from, 3rd 35 mile round trip, everything you could want there. It is a little cumbersome
once you have the panniers loaded, so I try to work it out that I do everything I want to like eating out etc...
with the panniers folded up, then when leaving town do the big stop and load up...

i've never tried panniers. maybe it's because as a kid my bike had huge baskets to carry newspapers that i delivered and I have bad memories of the weight of them shifting my balance. Also riding around with my friends who all had BMX bikes and there i was with these baskets clanking around the rear tire of my Ross 10 speed. *sigh*

a backpack carries my lunch, clothes and tools just fine thanks

I've tried the backpack. I have an average 1 hour 40 minute multi-mode commute each way and there is NO WAY I'm gonna put up with a backpack and those hassles that long.

I use 2 Topeak racks. A quick-release beam with side frames, and their standard Explorer, depending on the bike I'm on. With the Topeak's biggest trunk bag that has the built-in panniers (that zip/fold out of their built-in side pouches). They can easily hold laptop, complete set of clothes, lunch, and way more. And if you only need just one pannier, all the better (folded back into pouch -- no sail). I love that "slide-and-slam" motion that locks the bag to the rack. Guess I could gently latch it, but the "slam" is just fun. I do pull out the built shoulder strap at times - love how that attaches to the bag.

I'm at least 4 years into using that MTX bag / style and can't imagine using anything else unless I get into self contained touring. I'm a credit card tourist at this point.

My other rack/pannier rig is the Xootr CrossRack (built expressly for the Swift folder) and matching eleven-71 bag. Now that's a real sail, but it's amazingly versitle. It will easily hold a 12-pack and complete fixinis for a steak dinner for two. A laptop and clothes are not a problem.

I DO use a backpack with my bike that LIVES at the office. I'm happy using it for short jaunts to the grocery or hardware, on the days that I arrived by car. I'm very lucky to have indoor storage for a spare bike. That's a feature !! Some days I just arrive early and ride for an hour or so. Normally leave the backpack at the office for those rides.

Good luck getting settled in.

I wear a bag (I have several different kinds) if I will be on and off the bike running errands (other than huge grocery trips) that way all of my flat fix tools and such stay with me automatically. I use panniers for longer/larger hauls.

Often, I use both - sorta. I have a small shoulder bag that fits perfectly into on side of my panniers. It stays there with all of the stuff that I need every day inside of it. The other side of my panniers is for hauling lunch, clothes, small grocery runs etc. When I get to the grocery, I take my shoulder bag out of the pannier and wear it into the store. When I return to the bike with the groceries, I keep wearing the shoulder bag - now I have both sides of the panniers for groceries. Best system I have found yet.