Some good backpacks for cycling?
 

I have a timbuk2 bag and don't really like it. Along with the comfortable factor, it has a loop that hangs to the right of you that just know one day a headlight will grab it and rip me off my bike, and the edges are exposed so water can get in there. And just not comfortable, you have to make it very tight, and the additional strap holder is able to slide along the main strap, so it slowly moves up and the bag shifts to the right. Was thinking of sewing the extra strap holder directly to the main strap to stop that, but need to find a sewing machine.

Yesterday, just for testing I dug out an old eastpack backpack and used that. Much better. I didn't think about the bag or have to readjust it even once. I just need something slightly bigger, with more pockets. It only has the main one and the smaller one near the bottom. My usual load consists of ulock, lunch, sweatshirt, a drink, cell phone, wallet, and keys, and a few other small items like earphones, usb cable, blink link, allen keys, etc. Being able to fit all that, with the option to add an additional clothing item when needed would be perfect.

http://www.rei.com/product/780465

This one looks pretty cool. Something along the lines of that.

Thanks.

There are some things you can even buy at WAL-Mart that have some quality; the Coleman and Outdoor lines of packs will serve. I've used a few, passing them along to my kids as I upgraded. Somewhere around here, there are two packs that are over five years old.

The hydration bladders aren't bad, either; just put a Camelback Big Bite Valve on one, and you're good.

What's your budget?



And get ready for the parade of pannier recommendation/testimonials.

I use a simple Camelback to carry my lunch and shirt on my twenty mile round trip commute to work. It's a little small but it works. I was eyeballing this Sette at Pricepoint as it's a little bigger being fall is coming around and the need for a jacket or sweatshirt not to mention some essentials like tools and tube/tire would be good. I'll be picking it up soon. For 25.00 I can't pass it up. If the hydration pack sucks then I'll use my Camelbak unit in it
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/142...stem-100oz.htm

I use a Deuter Trans-Alpine 30. Enough room for my stuff, and has a handy rain cover that stuffs into a pocket at the bottom. The pack sits very comfortably on my back and the weight is really well distributed. I don't ever forget that it's there, but it feels lighter than I would expect. The "Airstripes" feature is a gimmick - I still get a sweaty back.

No real budget. If it's worth it, I will buy it.

Thanks.

I might as well be the first... if possible, add a rack to your bike and get either the Switchback or the Bug from Arkel: http://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categ...e-pannier.html. Either will convert from pannier to backpack and you'd be hard pressed to find a better bicycle-specific bag than those made by Arkel.

Instead of a backpack, what about a lumbar pack? They sit low, around your lower back. No shoulder straps. I've just gotten back into cycling after a long hiatus and I used a lumbar pack previously and liked it. What I dislike about a backpack is how my back gets sweaty.

But you're probably not likely to be able to cram everything into a lumbar pack that you did into a decent sized backpack.

In any event, I just ordered this and am looking forward to not having a sweaty back any more.

http://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmith-...1416514&sr=8-1

(Also note the customer reviews; all good except for one.)

pack
 

I've been using a Camelbak Blowfish. It has air channels that keep the back a bit cooler, it holds a full-size Camelbak bladder and directs the tube over your shoulder, and it can be zipped down to a very flat shape or a larger shape (like expandable luggage), hence the name.

Zipped down, I can fit my first aid box, bath kit, and a change of clothes. In full-size mode, a bit more (but not twice as much). Comes in black with silver reflective stripe down the back.

In the cold weather, I prefer a backpack because it's easier to get my stuff inside quickly. In hot weather, I prefer panniers. I rode a backpack in 86 degree weather yesterday and forgot how bad it could be.

Anyway, this is the backpack I use:

http://www.brightideasusa.biz/backpack.html

It's a bit small if you're carrying shoes and lunch and clothes, but it works. I wanted something I wouldn't constantly be messing with reflective strips on.

Better backpacks have sculpted and padded surface to improve ventilation. I normally don't use backpacks because they make me sweat more, but some are better than others. Here is my take on backpacks and carrying cargo in general

A little expensive but worth every penny is the Wingnut "Adventure" pack.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/I...ll/35345-1.jpg

The '10 model has a ANSI lime rain cover.

I haven't used panniers or other bike-mount bags since the mid-90s. If I have something too heavy for a pack, I hijack my kids' trailer for cargo duty.

Banjo Brothers Commuter backpacks...
http://www.banjobrothers.com/product...gbackpacks.php

Versatility favors the kit of say Ortlieb back roller pannier, 1 of 2, or the single bike-shopper
http://www.ortlieb.de/index_white.ph...e=p-search.php

plus the carry system kit.
http://www.ortlieb.de/index_white.ph...e=p-search.php

http://www.coreproducts.com/asp_cata...log.asp?pca=88 or a smaller generic pack when I use one. I prefer the backpack when it's cooler, and panniers when it's warmer.

One made for cycling: http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/bc2

Wow! That looks badass! I wonder how it would work for hiking!

I have a Jansport Revolt 32 I bought from a discount store for $20-$30.

Backpacks like the Banjo Brothers Commuter pack, Deuter, Chrome, Timbuk2, Camelbak, etc. that are made for cycling will work best. Personally, I do not need or want a pack with a waist belt and sternum strap - the less straps the better. The new Timbuk2 backpacks have nicer contoured thinner straps and I like those too. I find that you do not need a lot of padding if the straps and the pack fit well. Some thin padding against the back helps. For raw capacity the Banjo Brothers bag is hard to beat since it is basically just one compartment and waterproof at that. You can even over pack it because of the flap/strap design. The nicest part of the bag is that you can make it smaller when it isn't carrying much stuff just by rolling it down.

The Deuter packs have a lot of nice bike-specific features like built-in pack covers in high-viz, pockets galore, good layout, daisy-chain loops.

Personally I favor the messenger style backpacks with the flap over the top design - it is really useful for over-stuffing, awkward loads, and if you are lazy, keeping your rain jacket handy. The Baileyworks Citizen looks good to me too.

I have an older version of this that I'm pretty happy with. Not too big, not too small and the waist/chest straps work well for me.
http://www.rei.com/product/795507
http://media.rei.com/media/tt/6bf886...05995cd113.jpg

Bought mine when REI was having their member sale so 20% less.

It doesn't sound like it would work for your particular situation (as it doesn't have multiple compartments or anything) but I love my GoLite Ion pack. It's just a lightweight tube of a pack with great shoulder straps. Once I cut off the cheap hipbelt, it's almost the perfect pack. It's very lightweight & as long as I don't pack it completely full, it seems to bend enough that I don't really get a very sweaty back, only a few small spots.

They had a chrome soma today at the bike shop. Tried it on, very comfortable. Really didn't have much time, so going to take a closer look tomorrow. Did look a tad tiny though, and like water can get into the corners. Even the Chrome citizen messenger was pretty comfortable. The way the strap is angled and formed, much different than timbuk2 which is a normal strap from corner to corner.