I use one pannier on the left because I like not having a backpack, but I get other commuters blowing by me everyday and they're all using backpacks. Granted, most of them are on road bikes, and I'm rocking the Navaro Fusion , but there's plenty of people on other hybrids or mountain bikes just zipping right by me.

Now, I have no qualms about being passed - does't hurt my ego or anything. But my 10 mile commute takes me between 50 - 65 minutes depending on wind conditions, and it would really help my daily routine if I could get that time down in the 30 - 40 minute range.

Obviously, I don't know what other riders carry in their packs. I'm carrying a big old IBM Think Pad that weighs a ton. But I left it at work yesterday for the ride home, and I was only a little bit faster, not a lot.

I'm in the same boat as you, bringing work clothes, lunch, lock, and police-style boots in two saddle-bags. I get passed a lot as well.

I'm guessing you would be faster with the backpack's lower wind resistance, but the best thing to do would be to test a backpack out, and see if it is worth the back sweat. Just a heads up that the packs I've seen for cyclists are fairly narrow and may not fit your laptop. But, that's where bike messenger bags come in.

For me, carrying a heavy laptop in my back for 50 - 65 minutes is a no-go. My back's health is more important than a few minutes to do... something. That's just my point of view

Yeah, getting more aero with a backpack would probably help, but I find them really uncomfy on the bike as well. I like the messenger bag idea, too; keeps your back cooler. Also, if it isn't overkill, a single wheel trailer is pretty quick, too, like this one:

Backpack is quicker for me, in a transition to ped from cycling mode. Given my current bike and fitness level, I'm not going to see speeds where the aerodynamics of either will come into play.

But if someone were to do wind tunnel tests, it would be interesting to see the data between those two plus rack trunk and Carradice-type bags as well.

Do you have ANY IDEA how much more power you are going to have to put out to knock 20 minutes off your commute? Switching from pannier to backpack isn't going to make the difference for you. Sustaining 20MPH speeds, even in favorable conditions, for ten miles is not an easy task no matter what the bike or how it is equipped.

It was a little depressing the day I figured out the difference between "taking it pretty easy" and "riding pretty hard" on my 18 km (that particular route) commute was about 5-7 minutes.

EDIT: for the record I prefer a SMALL pannier over a backpack or messenger bag for my commute, or anything really. more comfortable, doesn't seem to add too much drag. my big panniers make their presence known a little more.

Realistically -

1. Before cycling hard enough to hit 20mph you should have a warm up period

2. If you cycle that hard for half an hour you will arrive at work soaked with sweat

And it takes a LOT more power to cycle at 20 instead of 16mph. Approximately (20/16)^3 as much - ie about TWICE as much. So switching from a pannier to backpack would have to halve your air resistance to do this... which you can probably guess is unlikely.

Ever thought about using an electric assist kit like Bionx?

Faster? There is no difference in speed as far as I'm concerned unless the pannier is quite large and there is a strong headwind.

Commuting without a backpack is MUCH more comfortable.

Wow I was going to say nearly the same thing.

I love using panniers as they are just "part of the bike" and I effectively don't feel them at all.

On flatish roads I can maintain about 19+MPH for a good 1/2 hour or more... but around here that condition just doesn't exist and I have to deal with hills. (the level of effort remains the same, but the speed drops due to gearing). If I had a dead flat 10 mile commute, I might be able to do it in just over 30min. My typical commutes of about 12 miles, with hills, take about 40 minutes. Panniers would be my choice, as to maintain that level of effort, I would want to keep cool, and having a bag on my back would not allow that.

When thinking about the speed issue... you are carrying the same load, either on your back or on the bike... so I don't see how the type of carry would make much difference at all. Aerodynamically, the panniers are behind my legs, so they are not adding any drag. Thermally, a backpack would keep me hot and be a big negative.

A backpack on a bicycle is just silly. It just means you have the wrong bike.

Look at some of the past threads dealing with backpacks and messenger bags vs panniers. There are some very legit reasons for choosing NOT to use panniers as well as good reasons for using them that have nothing to do with your preferred commuting bike.

Panniers aren't always so convenient when you've got stops to make between work and home for example.

You're getting passed because other riders are faster than you. Not because they're using backpacks and you're using a pannier.

BTW, I'm in the same boat as you. And I'm a big fan of using a commuting pannier; I don't like backpacks when I ride more than a mile or so.

Commuters use panniers, handlebar bags, and panniers.

Road racers who don't want to add the weight of a rack to their bikes add the weight of a pack to their backs.

Whatev. But there's no way I'd commute with a backpack, unless it was bungeed to my rack.

I commute with an Arkel Big Handlebar Bag, fwiw.

This comment makes no sense!

I ride with a fitted backpack that weighs in at 12 to 14 lbs loaded. It allows me to ride my Madone like the bike was meant to be ridded. It has never had a begitive effect on my ridding what so ever!

I also cruise at 20mph into the wind with my backpack, if I added panniers, it would make my bike bulky and unstable for the way I ride!

Split the difference and bungee cord the backpack to a rear rack. You get instant backpack mobility before and after the ride, and avoid backpack sweat.

Pack versus panniers isn't the issue, nor is the bike. It's the engine

I commute 12.5 miles each way to work and use a backpack on a roadie. I don't see too many people around downtown woth panniers. But I believe its subjective. I just prefer a backpack not for aerodynamic purposes. It just feels comfortable to be.

It's a really nice bag. For most commuting duties I think this is the ideal solution, and I'm surprised I don't see more people with handlebar bags. Saves the weight of the rack.

Oh, and I've never seen a road racer with a backpack. I have, however, seen people very slowly and uncomfortably pedal racing bikes with back packs on

The only way a backpack would make my ride any faster would be by making me so uncomfortable that I'd be racing to the end so I could take the d*** thing off. If you're really concerned about the aerodynamics of a pannier then try a saddlebag instead. I used the Carradice Camper model for commuting for some time. Lots of room, doesn't affect steering like a handlebar bag, and is directly behind the rider in his slipstream. But I never noticed any speed or effort difference between that and carrying the same items in a pannier.

Opposite for me. I commuted with a bike-specific backpack (ventilation gap & mesh, etc) and didn't like it for anything more than a couple of miles. I particularly disliked it on hills, where I felt like I was riding with a pig on my back, and the heat factor was ridiculous, despite the ventilated design.

I far prefer riding with nothing on my upper body. I ride with a rear rack-mounted pannier (or two) and like the lower weight distribution and the freedom of an unburdened body. The tradeoff is that rear panniers require adjusting one's hill climbing style, especially if accustomed to conventional roadie style bike flicking up a hill (as I was). such flicking sends the back-weighted tail into a horrible dynamic. Instead, any out-of-the-saddle climbing needs to be done relatively smoothly - the bike sway stays on a pretty even keel with little side to side swaying. The rider's body can bob, weave, etc, while out of the saddle but the bike rides steady and solid.
Once I made the necessary adjustments to my perspective and style, panniers became the clear winner for me.

As far as aerodynamics, I really don't think it makes much difference. It seems to me that most reasonable (not HUGE) panniers are essentially tucked in each leg's slipstream, and at very least do not pose much of a new facade to the wind.

If your desire is to increase your overall riding pace, there are many ways (in the category of "training") to do this, and the racing forum might have some training tips and drills.

Panniers, panniers, panniers.

I built a new road bike two weeks ago, and have ridden it on my short commute to work since then. I'm carrying stuff in a good messenger bag when I'm on that bike.

I took my short-hop commuter today to the same neighborhood with a pannier on its rack. Man, it sure reminded me how nice it is to have nothing on my back.

If you're worried about speed, work on the engine.

I guess I'm the minority opinion here. I found that my commute speed increased when I switched from my backpack to panniers. My particular pack isn't terribly aerodynamic, though. I find I can breathe easier and ride more comfortably without a backpack on. The only reason I use my backpack anymore is to carry my laptop, because the backpack is waterproof and the panniers are not.

No, but if you have a problem riding with a backpack it probably means you have the wrong pack. Get a narrow fitted pack that's comfy. I do my 14 mile commute with a pack. Yeah, it's a bit hotter, but I sweat whether I wear the pack or not.

And I pass guys with panniers all the time ; )

Put an electric assist on your bike to solve your problem.