Word


EDIT: Also, I don't know what "serious" money is. . . I paid $27 for my Access (like 6 years ago) and. . . I think $55 for the Lite-Speed (coupon!).

Now. . . there's also ScottEVest. . .

Backpacker here. Sweaty backs are a fact of life.

But racks have their place. They allow for an additional place to mount a rear light, a place to carry a lock, virtually eliminates the skunk stripe, and a way to get the bag off my back.

I don't berate the rack and pannier crowd (nor the drop bar users), because everyone is different and has different needs/tastes/desires.

I mean if you're not sweating, you're not doing it right.

How much stuff are you looking to carry? And why are you only looking for one pack? Don't you know you're going to need more than one just like the rest of us? :D I got the L L Bean Stowaway pack a few weeks ago and haven't used it in the heat yet, but it breaths better than my other 2 backpacks and is great for a smaller load (1,000 cubic inches or less). A place for a blinky and reflective areas are both good for whatever size pack you end up with, and try and wear the pack in your riding position to see if you like it or not.

Another thing to look for is the ability to carry your bike stuff with you after you're done riding. Pockets to carry water bottles, helmets etc.. help here.

I love my Osprey backpack for hiking/camping, but it's just too big for biking as I don't need to carry much stuff, just a change of clothes, phone, wallet, and office keys. I'm using a small Kelty, I think it's the 3100 as mentioned by monsterkidz, and it works really well.

During the cold, wet winter season I use panniers and a handlebar bag to carry home my foul weather gear and the batteries for all my redundant lighting systems. Around the first week of May I ditch the boat anchor of a commuter bike in favor of racing machines on which I would be loathe to attach a rack. The backpack I found that works best for me is the 17 liter Rapha Fixed. It was pricy at $200 and is now unavailable. It keeps the load even and close to my back.

I have panniers and racks (which cost more than any of my backpacks) but I choose to use a backpack or messenger bag for everyday carrying: I have five bikes and a motorcycle (it doesn't have saddlebags either) I can pick from so unpacking and repacking is a major pain. I used panniers and racks for a few years when I had only one bike but I never liked the way the load affected handling and I hated having to unhook the bags from the racks every time I had to lock the bike up (I eventually cable locked the bags to the bike and took out the most valuable stuff which had to go into yet another bag). Then on race weekends I had to remove everything (I eventually gave up and left the rear rack on - probably the only dork with a rear rack at the starting line). Yeah, racks and panniers are ideal on a dedicated tourer/commuter but a backpack/messenger bag is better when you are on and off the bike a lot.

For what it is worth, I currently use a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II for my commuting without a laptop and a Timbuk2 Swig when I have to carry my laptop. On hot summer days I try to put reduce my load so it will fit into an REI Flash 18 which in turn fits into a saddlebag (Carradice Nelson on my Crosscheck or Minnehaha medium on my IRO). Sometimes if I have to carry larger loads I switch to a large Baileyworks Pro. Man, I have/had a lot of bags.

Very nice. I used a Pygmy Falcon for years, before I started carrying a laptop.

I prefer a backpack for logistical reasons. I bike commute very other day, and take the bus on the off days. A rack and panniers does me no good on the off days, and I have no wish to swap all of my stuff, every day, between the panniers and backpack. I also have days where I bike between five different buildings. I'm definitely not dragging panniers through buildings all day long.

My Sirius also hates a rack and panniers. The panniers look bad on that bike, and the bike gets all twitchy with them. No problems with a backpack.

Ok, I took the suggestions and anecdotes so far and added them up.

The heaviest pack was the Camelbak HOSS at 1620g followed by the Kelty Redwing at 1531g. The lightest pack was the LL Bean Stowaway at 454g followed by the second lightest pack: GoLite V024 (595g).

The largest pack was The North Face Mentor at 3500ml. Next largest was another The North Face, the Hot Shot, at 3300ml. Or smallest packs were the Camelbak HOSS and Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II at 1400ml each. The Novara Commtuer was slightly larger at 1480ml.

Finally, our cheapest: $30 for the LL Bean. After that you should be able to swing a Jansport Revolt 32 or Timbuk2 Swig for around $55. If your feeling flush, you can pay around $120 for a Detuer Trans Apline 30
or maybe $100 for either the Marmot Zypher (still around!) or a Dakine Apex.

According to our suggestions, the average capacity of our packs are 2244 ml having an average empty weight of 987 grams with an average price of $79.

Of all the suggestions, based only on paper: I would pick the Osprey Talon: $99 street price is higher than average, but it as a very reasonable 2200ml capacity and 800g empty weight plus many cycling friendly accouterments. After that, the Dakine, and then well, I think it's much a push after that.

And FYI, I just did a quick search and found the green Talon 22's on sale for 80 bucks at the sun and ski sport website. Darn near bought one just because....

JensonUSA has some pretty good deals on packs.

Oh, for the street prices I took the mode of the prices appearing in Google shopping.

The North Face Bandwidth. Three years old and irreplacable.....

I thought I should add that if you 1) buy any of these packs from REI, you could return it two years later for a seam failure or something thanks to their no questions asked return policy or 2) if you buy an Osprey pack, they guarantee their stuff pretty much forever: http://www.ospreypacks.com/CustomerS...ightyGuarantee You just don't find that in a lot of companies these days.

As you can see, most of us that use backpacks have more than one (a common theme with bicyclists, n+1), and use them for different uses. I find I start out assembling the stuff that goes with me that day and then figuring out how I'm going to carry it, it's a lot easier than unpacking one bag to pack another after realizing I made the wrong choice earlier.

BTW, I bought my GF the REI flash 18 earlier in the year so she could use it on her bike when needed and store it in her handlebar bag when she didn't, and she's been pretty happy with it the few times she's used it.

*doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack* *doesn't need a new pack*

Meh. Who am I kidding. . .

not the guy who made the spreadsheet from the sound of it, let us know how you like it will you? Says he who's fighting off the urge himself....

So which pack is on your short list?
 

At the moment, I'm torn between the new Banjo Brothers Metro*, something like a Camelbak or other hydration+cargo pack, or something really light weight.

I don't need massive capacity during the Summer, as I work in a warehouse that has no A/C- so I don't have to worry about being presentable :D. I do need something to carry food, spare batteries, lights if I have to lock/leave the bike at the main bus station, and other small items.

*So new that the product info isn't up on their site yet. It's waterproof, but a bit on the small side at 1100 c.i.'s. Available in either the classic black or the Whitey Von theme. From the sneak peek on Youtube, the Metro has the organization that is lacking in the Commuter line (I have the large one), but it also looks like there is no sternum strap...

Missionworkshop Vandal here. Best bag investment ever.

I use it for everything, every day. As a full-time copy editor who races, commutes, drives, walks, catches a bus and still has to carry around all the books associated with grad school, I've avoided panniers after my last fiasco with them on my 3-speed.

I will, however, be putting them on my LHT this summer. With one caveat. I will be running front and rear panniers so that I can have some balance. I almost ate it daily on my 3-speed because it caused so many "little" issues that I eventually ripped them off.

Pedal strike, then the rack it turned out wasn't "proper" with setbacks so the bag was always into my rear wheel. It destroyed spokes like cookies all the time. My LBS and I looked for workarounds to avoid buying a more expensive rack. Then I had to buy aluminum for sale signs to fold and "mold" for my panniers. Still didn't resolve the issue.

So yeah, I guess I could have sat there and threw money at the problem repeatedly to get what I wanted, but ultimately, it just became an exercise in frustration for me.

I'm hoping my LHT with Surly racks will go a lot more smoothly.

I still intend to use my vandal as a pannier if I can swing it, otherwise it goes in the ted trailer.

Marmot Aero?It's prey minimalist, but also inexpensive as far as normal prices go. Dunno. Any pack is worth tyring out first.

But the laptop department can be fixed by getting something like a ZeroShock case and forgoing the dedicated laptop compartment. . . Then again. . it depends on just how big is this computer of which you speak? Thinkpad W700?

If I were rich and famous, I'd love to try the Mission Workshop Rambler. That is a sweet looking pack. I'm very big on small packs that can expand out to hold large loads. I hate nothing more than a large pack that droops uncontrollably, just because it isn't packed heavily enough. The Rambler looks like it accomplishes the expansion and compression tasks very well. Looks quite waterproof too.

But the Dakine Apex works well for me now. I haven't loaded it to the point of full yet, and hope that I never do. The worst thing about a pack that's too large, is the fact that I tend to pack far more than I need if space allows. A small cycling pack is too small for me, but a large pack is an invitation to back pain. A medium sized pack works well, and keeps me honest at the same time. The Apex can even haul Mother's Day flowers for 10 miles, without a broken stem. :love:

http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y..._7362435_o.jpg

Since I know you want that Talon 22 ( :lol: ) I should mention I carry a 13 inch laptop in the bag. Any bigger would be a pretty tight fit. A 15 inch might be possible, but might also effect the fit of the pack. I haven't tried to put one in there, maybe at school I'll borrow a friend's just to see.

I neither desire nor require carrying a laptop. I did at one point, hence the acquisition of the Banjo Brothers pack. Then I discovered the beauty of thumb drives and Google Docs :D.

As it is right now, I fluctuate between trying to find one that breathes well or one that packs down well. I've been strapping my backpack to the rear rack.

I finally spent some money on a decent bag:

http://missionworkshop.com/products/...um_rambler.php

I love this backpack, handmade in the U.S. Got mine in green but I wish they had offered it in a hi-vis color. Very comfortable and I really appreciate the expandable middle section.

Same situation. I put order on a road bike and don't want to put a rack. I do commute 30 miles a day. On my folding bike, I do have racks... and appropriate panniers and they are wonderful for their purposes... I can even carry the pannier around if I need to (Ortlieb office bag and front rollers).
On the road bike, I want to go minimalistic and well, California (especially where I live... considered "low desert") is kind of warm... and it doesn't help I sweat a lot.
I gave it a go with lot of backpacks from REI and the only thing that remotely worked was REI venturi 30. However, the thing was way too large and didn't carry much either... Very comfy I must say, though... Also, even with suspended mesh, it still was worse than not having one on back which was a little disappointing (I presume due to less airflow through when riding on back)
I am giving it a go with Chrome's Vega "sort of messenger bag". And on 96 degree heat, it actually did good. I did sling it all the way to my hip so back wasn't covered... and the only place sweat converged was on my shoulder and where the "seat belt" was on.
I did put 13" notebook with my fleece jacket, and little misc stuff. While it can hold the 13" with fleece jacket (yeah, in the morning it does get down to about 46f... about 50f temp swing in the same day for me)...
It would be actually perfect if I don't have to carry that notebook... or replace it with something like iPad...
If you don't have carbon seatpost... maybe something like klickfix with klickfix backpack on seatpost adapter might not be bad one.

Not me. I got the email from REI for a 20% discount on 1 purchase, and ordered a Kelty Shrike for just under $45 delivered to the store. I mainly bought it for walking to the grocery store, but know it'll get used on the bike too - anyone else use this?

Several bike specific backpacks in this link

I particularly like the Vaude Hyper Air 14 + 3 Pack. Good size, wire frame and mesh back system called Aeroflex: lightweight steel spring frame to hold the body of the pack away from your back.

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/sty...0%20VAUHA1.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_z2s_w5rHJAg/S_...aero_flash.jpg

Hidden behind the mesh, is Vaude’s FLASH (Floating Length Adjustable Shoulder Harness) system so you can dial in the fit by adjusting the length of the padded shoulder strap sections.

And, if you want hi vis, they have it in bright yellow. Also in black/green. And, if 14 ltrs is too big, they do have a smaller (and cheaper) version: the Vaude Juicy Air 7 + 3 with the same features. And it comes with a rain cover

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/...vg0-670-75.jpg

I have a 5.11 "Rush 12" pack that I like very much.
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Produ...-Backpack.html (shop around, you can find it a lot less than their site)
It's VERY sturdy, we're talking mil-spec. Nice thick shoulder straps. Chest strap. The mesh back you wanted. A pocket for a hydration bladder although I don't use it. The webbing on the back makes a great place to clip an extra blinky light to.

It holds my laptop, cell, wallet, glasses, and a change of clothes easily. A pair of shoes is a tight fit with all of the previous in there, but it can be done. I usually leave the work shoes at the office.

A lighter color other than black might be nice though.

Same here Osprey knows what they doing, but you have to pay some $ for it. Def worth it comes with lifetime warranty.

I was considering trying for a Go-Lite Rush pack, myself. . . just can't quite swing the scratch for an Osprey.