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.

I just got a Camelbak Mule in black from amazon for about 70. I put my iPad2 in the back compartment where you would normally carry the water reservoir. It's the most padded part of the pack.

Another vote for Osprey packs! I recently got a Stratos 24 to replace an old JanSport, it has a tensioned-mesh back. I can fit a 17" workstation laptop, 130W charger, basic tools, and sometimes even a few reference manuals, and it does way better than my old pack. I also do a lot of hiking, so it doubles in that regard. For cycling I would prefer if the padded mesh belt was removable, as it is I just tie it around behind the bottom of the pack. Also comes with an attached raincover, I got it for less than $100 at REI (with rebate coupon). The main complaints I have are that it has poor organization (one giant pocket and two tiny ones, I use one of them for tools/batteries/lights), and an over-abundance of straps and buckles which would be more appropriate for hiking/light camping.

WO2W forced me to try out the Osprey Talon 22, and compare it to my Dakine Apex. Both packs are awesome for cycling.

I still use the Dakine for commuting, just because of all of its organizational pockets. Dakine takes a much more compartmentalized approach in the Apex design. This works out very well if you pack a lot of gadgets, like me. I'm also addicted to the infinitely useful helmet pocket on the outside of the pack, and the armor straps on the bottom. They have a million and one uses.

I use the Talon for cycling trips with my daughter, where she sits on a tag-along style third wheel. Much of this riding is road riding in the evening, where visibility is paramount. The plethora of reflective material on the Talon is perfect for evening riding. Osprey took the exact opposite design approach with this pack, utilizing a cavernous main compartment, but with minimal organization. This is perfect for throwing in a few small items, and a couple of hoodies in case it gets cold.

I prefer the fit of the Dakine while cycling, and love the ability to remove the hip belt when it isn't needed. But the Talon feels more supportive when off the bike, and is definitely cooler on the back when cycling.

Also keep in mind that the estimated cubic inch capacities of Osprey's packs are much larger than some other company's estimates. I've noticed this on a couple of Osprey packs now, in comparison to some North Face, Dakine, Maxpedition, and Kelty packs. I bought the S/M 1220 cubic inch Talon 22, and it's a noticeably larger pack than the 1600 cubic inch Dakine Apex, and the 1400 cubic inch Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon.

If anybody would like, I can take some side-by-side pics of the packs.

Pics, please. :popcorn

Kind of expensive when you include the seat mounted rack, and it's limited to (I think) 11 pounds of gear but the Arkel Switchback looks like a great bag to me. (I haven't used one yet, but that will certainly be my next bag once my current setup wears out.) It's a backpack that is built to fit on the seat mounted rack. The rack takes seconds to put on or take off the bike, so it's feasible to remove it, as well as the bag, when you get to work if you want. If you can live with the price & the weight restriction, it's the best of both worlds.

I've noticed the changes in sizes too. It seems like backpack sizing is underestimated, unlike the sizing for tents.

You got that right. Tent sizing assumes that you and your companions are all hobbit sized.

I use a Deuter AC Lite 25. I bought it in 2004 for $50 (CAD) on sale (regularly was $100). Doesn't look like it is available anymore.
It is a top loading bag, so don't need to deal with zippers. I love it, I have panniers, but like yourself I ride my road bike and this bag makes my back happy.

commuter bag
 

Though it's a bit pricey, here is what I just got for my commuting purposes:

http://www.chromebagsstore.com/bags/...g---large.html

This holds everything for me: a change of clothes, rock climbing shoes/harness, lunch, water bottle etc...

ok you have me sold on this pack. How much did you get it for and from where?

I got mine at EMS.com, but I had a 20% off kind of deal. For everyday street price, Amazon is hard to beat.

http://www.amazon.com/DAKINE-Apex-Hy...8097640&sr=8-2

Here are the side-by-side pics of the 1600 cu in Dakine Apex and the S/M 1220 cu in Osprey Talon 22. Sorry about the long dangling straps on the Apex. I forgot to tuck the armour straps back in.

http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...6-57-47_38.jpg
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...-58-59_812.jpg
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...n_Guy/rear.jpg
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...n_Guy/side.jpg

+1 to chrome metropolis. Love, I would not buy anything different if I had to look for a new bag.

+2 , except I got the chrome marathon. Never had any complaints

I just started commuting and have worn the Kelty Redwing 3100 the past two days. I notice it is very heavy, and about 1/3 too big for what I need to bring. I also wish it had a bit better organization for tools, tubes, etc., as I am carrying them all in the pack and eschewing a seat bag. I have a Lezyne Power Pack that I really like, but its about 1/3 too small to carry my clothes (shoes mostly...size 13). I'm looking towards the Dakine, an Osprey Talon or the Novara pack I think, and am intrigued a bit by the Vaude packs.