Maxxxie

+1. Now that I have panniers, I'll never go back to a backpack. That said, I can't comment on riding in snow. I live in the sub-tropics.

Max

TurbineBlade

This is the way I prefer to use a backpack on a bike:surly with backpack.jpg

DJConspicious

Threads like this come up time and time again, and I use the same reply as often. Panniers (if your bike can take them) are the way to go. I have front and rear racks though I usually only ride with rear panniers. I picked up some Ortlieb panniers when they were on sale at Best Buy and they are certainly worth the extra cost over the others. I love the way they roll up and they at least have a deep and zippered pocket on the inside. I love how I can take them off and bring them inside, so I don't have to load them when it's snowing.

I have used a backpack when I first started commuting, I then started bungee cording the backpack to the rack. I made my own set of panniers that were capable of fitting the whole backpack as it was. If I needed to carry more or go on foot, I could just pull the backpack out and wear it. My method has changed quite a bit with the Ortliebs. I now use those Adidas or Nike sport bags with the drawstring closures. I use them to separate different items in the panniers. So if I don't want to take the whole pannier off, I can just take the bag out.

tjspiel

And as I've said often, there are situations where panniers simply aren't as convenient. They also have a greater impact on performance. A lot of people don't care and that is great for them. But for those of us that do it's good that there are alternatives.