Classy. I may have to look at this for my next bag purchase.

Rack.

I have three bikes and three racks:
A Topeak explorer on the Kona.
A Racktime Addit on the Univega.
A Blackburn knockoff that came with the Univega on the Fuji.

If I have a lot of stuff, I use my panniers. If I don't have a lot of stuff but have an appointment (sweaty back = bad), I bungee a backpack to the top of the rack. If I'm going into work with not so much stuff (16 miles one way), I use my backpack on my back because it won't affect the handling on the rear wheel.

I like the look of that Ortlieb bag, though. I might have to get myself one of those.

Oh, yeah, and I use to hate bungees --- now I love 'em. I like to have one on my rack just in case......

Hello there, thanks for all of the feedback. This thread may have been sidetracked because no elegant solutions for a frame bag currently exist. The following is a potential solution for a bag that could strap directly to your bike frame. If a solution like the following could hold all of the objects that would you prefer a bag that straps to your frame or straps to your rack?

Rack for groceries and bigger hauls. On my commute to school I just wear a backpack though, I'm overly paranoid and get so nervous when I have about $1000 worth of stuff on my rack(laptop + one or two books), I'd rather have it on my back so I know it's still there.

"rack em dano"!

I prefer the way Brompton resolves the need to carry stuff,
the bag is on a quick release frame clip on the headtube.
and the bag is pretty large..

an option is a version of the Ortlieb Downtown ,
but with a clip to fit it to the frame mounting block.,
and a couple waterproof extra pouches on the back.
accessory add on bags from their regular line-up.

But I cope with the 2 front panniers I strapped together, to work on my Bike Friday
as a single thing, though I have to carry them in my hand, rather than a shoulder strap.
because the strap stows nicely in the single bag ,
it would have to run across the front wheel with the pair.
potentially tangling with that wheel.

I do both but if I have a lot to carry the backpack is a negative because the weight is on me and on my rear. That alone is worth using a rack. I didn't like the weight on the bike at first but if I change my riding style and the expectations of the ride then its really not too bad. In the winter its a little warmer with a pack but I sweat easy so it turns to a negative.

Tough call - when I first started commuting on the Tricross, I went strictly with a messenger bag, so that I could keep as much off the frame as possible. After a while though, I switched over the Topeak Explorer Rack and MTx Trunk Bag from my other bike and haven't looked back since...

A frame-mounted front rack is a wonderful thing. It lets you keep an eye on your valuables but doesn't affect the steering. Only drawback is trying to manuever into small elevators.

Right now I go messenger bag for my daily commute. I don't like the way the bike balances with my Novara commuter trunk (with zip down panniers). But for grocery runs where I can take my time, I'll use both. Someday I'd like a set of those Ortlieb panniers, though.

I prefer no rack. I have a folding bike, and it's way faster for me to just have the bag on my back, get off the bike and fold, than having to worry about some bag rack.