buffalo_cody

I was wondering if anyone had noticed an advantage to using panniers instead of a backpack for riding in inclement winter weather? I normally prefer a backpack to a pannier, but I was thinking of maybe switching for winter riding to put some weight lower on the bike, and over the back wheel. Thoughts?

no1mad 

JeffSG

I've done both but prefer to not have the back pack strapped to my back. I currently use a plastic coca cola can crate which is strapped to my rear rack via zip ties. I just bungee cord my back pack to it and it works fine. Some folks may find that is detracts from the appearance of their bikes, but I'm not out to win any pretty bike awards.

You can probably search the forums for more threads on this.

AdamDZ

Waterproof panniers, no doubt. I use Axiom Monsoon and Typhoon panniers. I'd get Ortlieb but they are too expensive. With panniers your center of gravity is lower which is a good in any riding conditions.

jdeane4

I am currently using a backpack for most of my commuting. I like panniers but I prefer the backpack's portability more. I use it for class, groceries, extra clothes and anything else I need to transport. I'm currently using the Chrome Ivan which I like a lot. The only downside I've had with my pack is back sweat.

LesterOfPuppets

winter rear pannier cons:
- harder to bunnyhop potholes which become more numerous in winter and spring months.

winter rear pannier pros:
- more weight on rear wheel might help front wheel float over chunked and rutted snow surfaces and provide more rear tire traction on slick surfaces.

If you're happy with backpack in the summer, I'd keep wearing it in the winter, personally.

hairlessbill

Once the ice and snow hits, anything that affects handling is a bad thing as far as I am concerned. Plus the backpack will cushion your fall when you hit that black ice.

avner

I use a big arse messenger. Find it helps keep me warm as it gets chilly.

nashcommguy

There're advantages/disadvantages in both. If one's commute begins and ends at one location as in an employment situation it's probably best to use panniers. If one is going to be on/off the bike and/or need mobility it's probably best to use a backpack.

The main thing in terms of handling in snow is lower gravity center and lower tire pressure. Using an mtb in winter is what I've done in the past when commuting urban. It was my experience that it handled better than my rb. Now that I'm commuting rural I use a combo of a loaded cross and a fg conversion. The fg has a seatpost rack/trunkbag combo which makes the control a little sketchey...I wouldn't recommend it for urban in the winter. Better to use a backpack or messenger bag.

tjspiel

The problem I see with panniers is if the bike starts going down you're going to be fighting them to keep the bike up. You have more direct control over your body and the weight that's on it. This year is my first winter with clipless pedals and to my pleasant surprise I was able to recover from a near wipeout yesterday because my feet were firmly attached to the pedals. With platforms I probably would have had to dab. Anyway, I may not have been able to recover at all with another 20 lbs worth of stuff on the bike helping to pull it down.

However, I think if somebody is very skilled with riding a bike that has panniers suddenly moving the additional weight to their back probably isn't a good idea. To me being able to ride confidently is very important when traction isn't ideal. If you were going to make a change, I would do it well before winter starts.

buffalo_cody

Hm.. I didn't even think of that.

bijan

Advantage panniers: you can pack bulky junk like rain pants, rain jacket, etc.

Advantage backpack: you don't have to fiddle with attaching it to/detaching it from the bike in cold weather (which for we often means taking off my mittens and having my hands start to freeze...)

Bottom line: it's mostly a tradeoff between which you find more comfortable and which lets you take more stuff along. For any given person and considering what backpack and panniers they have available that could go either way. But I wouldn't worry about the handling too much.

exile

Attach a rack if you haven't already. You can always bungee your backpack to it when you want. On my bike without the rack the backpack adds a degree of warmth in the winter.

bijan

That's not so bad except at extremely slow speed and then only if the load is uneven and heavy.

But another problem you can get is fishtailing if the rear will skids and the load is too far back (this is something that has happened to me on a bike where the geometry was such that the front wheel was almost unweighted with the load in the back since the panniers were attaching behind the rear axle).

monsterpile

I have never had a problem with keeping my back warm relative to the rest of my body in any riding. =)

When I had my Marin Muirwoods 26" bike I remember noticing it when I had the panniers on. With my Trek mountian bike with a rear trunk bag and a rear folding basket I don't really notice it handling any different except obviously being heavier than any of my other bikes. I like the rear basket because you can put whatever in there and just strap it in.

Overall I agree with the other poster that said if you already are used to commuting with a backpack just keep doing it during the winter. If you want more traction just duct tape some dumbells to the back of your bike. j/k =)

Glynis27

I'm more likely to wear a backpack in winter than summer. In winter you don't need to worry as much about getting your back all sweaty and it's nice to fall on when you slip on the ice.

fietsbob

My Winter parka has a vent on the back, so pack overheats 2 ways.

JAHowe

Before I had a rack on my winter commuter, I had to make a sudden stop (dry pavement), the bag I had on slipped. Unable to pedal my way out of it, the bag took me down. Hit the bike shop on the way home and installed the rack. No question in my mind, the pannier on a rack is more stable and safer than a backpack.

zonatandem

Put the weight on a rear rack (panniers) instead of your back . . .

LesterOfPuppets

I'm not sure which pack you had but there are definitely better ones on the market.

scroca

I put my stuff in my panniers year round. If I want the mobility of a backpack, I put it in the panniers.

I think my stuff is pretty well distributed to keep the weight even. I can't say the panniers have ever kept me from staying upright.

gecho

I could never use a backpack as it makes me too sweaty.

The biggest benefit I've found is that it adds weight right over the rear wheel, which means I very rarely loose traction when accelerating from a stop. Although it can lead to some odd handling issues while cornering on the MUP. The front tire will ride on top of semi packed snow, but the rear wheel punches right through it. As a result the rear wheel wants to keep going the way it was going until it pops out of the little rut it was making.

The panniers also offer easier access to extra clothing I've packed if I need to stop and put on an additional pair of gloves or a scarf while riding.

ryanwood

I have a tendency to skid and fishtail in snowy icy conditions through most of the winter. For that reason I find it irritating to use my pannier because it makes it harder to control the rear end in a skid. I can't go back to the pannier fast enough though, as soon as the ice melts off the roads I ditch the messenger bag in favor of my pannier.

TurbineBlade

Perform a search.

opal

For me a backpack makes the bike handling feel more stable (I use the waist/hip belt which makes a huge difference) but I get sore if it's "too heavy" or I ride for "too long". I can't take stairs with panniers on the bike. I just pick one depending on what I'm carrying and where I'm going.