Which do you prefer........
02-03-13 | 08:46 AM
#51
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I definitely agree - it's not for everything and I wouldn't go hiking with it. It was adequate and useful for carrying on campus though. The bag itself works well as a pannier, the problem is the exo- skeleton that attaches to the rack is, IME, flawed. The clamps slip and can't handle repeated high weight. It's good for certain things.
02-03-13 | 09:18 AM
#52
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
I use a rear rack with a milk crate zip tied to it. It makes my commuter very ugly and less of a target for thieves. I notice that at work people try to park near my bike. When I asked a fellow commuter he said my bike's "cone of uglyness" covered adjacent cycles! If I have anything fragile to carry I also use a messenger bag.
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Trikeman
Trikeman
02-03-13 | 02:47 PM
#53
Thunder Whisperer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
The milk crate is the first thing I tried. The pros (lots of real estate to hang lights/reflective material, great way to haul the gas can for the mower) could not overcome the cons (harder to mount the bike by swinging a leg over the saddle from the rear, fully loaded backpack [that I was using at the time] wouldn't fit, my tush would rub on the crate while on the saddle
) that I experienced.
02-07-13 | 11:16 AM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I've used backpacks, rack-top bags, panniers and large seatbags at various times commuting. My preference is for a large seatbag like the Carradice Barley or Pendle. I use a Barley for carrying my commute gear about 90% of the time. It holds all the gear I need but isn't so large that I'm tempted to carry stuff I don't need.
02-07-13 | 11:20 AM
#57
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
That's perhaps one of the best reasons I've heard for using a small bag. 
02-07-13 | 11:23 AM
#58
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 95
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950
Definitely a backpack.
Messenger bags hurt too much when lugging heavier loads, and I carry a lot to work.
Panniers just don't agree with me for everyday commuting. The rack adds weight. The bike doesn't feel as nimble with all of that stuff attached to the bike. And panniers are a pain to carry around if I want to make some stops along the way.
Some people are bothered by the weight of a backpack when riding. I've been doing 30 mile round trip commutes for years. The backpack isn't so bad as long as you keep yourself in good physical shape.
Messenger bags hurt too much when lugging heavier loads, and I carry a lot to work.
Panniers just don't agree with me for everyday commuting. The rack adds weight. The bike doesn't feel as nimble with all of that stuff attached to the bike. And panniers are a pain to carry around if I want to make some stops along the way.
Some people are bothered by the weight of a backpack when riding. I've been doing 30 mile round trip commutes for years. The backpack isn't so bad as long as you keep yourself in good physical shape.
02-07-13 | 11:43 AM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Newark, Ohio
Bikes: 2002 Dahon Boardwalk 1, 2003 Sun EZ-Sport Limited, 2011 TerraTrike Path 8, 2018 Gazelle Arroyo C8 HMB
TerraTrike seat bag with tools and a spare tube, and Arkel recumbent panniers with my wallet, badge, keys, cell phones, shoes, and any food that I'm bringing.
02-08-13 | 06:24 AM
#61
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Florida
Bikes: '12 Specialized Hardrock, '89 Schwinn Cruiser Supreme
I use a rear rack with a milk crate zip tied to it. I the milk crate goes my backpack, although sometimes I'll wear the backpack if I'm taking my laptop home.
02-08-13 | 01:24 PM
#62
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Prince George, BC
Rear rack and panniers for me all the way - keys, wallet, bike tools, lunch, sometimes some other odds and ends for work (clothes). For me it is not even close, I have a dedicated commuter bike though, as opposed to my MTN bike, which I didn't want to kit out for commuting. My nice neighbor gave me the rack and panniers from her student days which was sweet of her!
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