I have to use both. My backpack and binder goes in my packback, but textbooks and jackets go in the panniers. My cable lock and all my repair stuff (pump, allen keys, etc.) go in my rack bag.

It's true, it's a lot of stuff, plus I'm going uphill all the way to school, but it's a relatively short bike.

Sorry to bring up a new post.

Way to go, dude! When I have to carry that much stuff, sometimes I wuss out and drive :( Do you carry the axe along in case you have to do any emergency wielding?

Yeah, I replaced my now-useless Kryptonite mounting with a steel bracket for a fire axe. :p

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I'm too young to drive, and the distance is such that taking a seperate car from the one my mom uses to go to work would be stupid-when I don't feel like or cannot commute I hitch a ride with her.

If you're serious, then please post a photo of it. That's solid.

The smilie signified the existence of sarcasm.

Although that would kick major ass.

Backpack when going to school (5 miles) cause it's a lot easier to carry around when you get there. Going to work (12 miles), Touring Cyclist brand panniers on a Blackburn low rider (front) rack. Used to go on training rides after work with them attached to my
'86 Stumpjumper. Really stable. Now I've really dated myself!

sun

Panniers (REI Explorers, not that huge) on a Hedland rear rack. With a bungee web over the top of the rack for excess cargo. I probably carry too much to work, but it's good exercise. :)

I use panniers (an ancient pair from MEC), but I get frustrated taking them on and off the rack. I have a Chariot hitch on the back, and the arrangement on the rear drop out with the hitch, fenders, QR skewer and rack doesn't leave much room to maneuver fingers to get the bags mounted. I'm considering a Carradice saddle bag with a QR 'bagman' rack.

Saddle bags that actually carry more than a tube & levers don't seem to be very popular here. AFAIK, the Carradice line isn't even sold in Canada :(

Most routine riding has my repair and parts kit in a JANDD trunk bag on a Giant rack. A backpack holds the necessary stuff when I commute. A set of panniers is on my wish list to try out. :)

Anybody remember Eclipse panniers that used to slide on and off a special rack they built?

sun

Panniers all the way. For me the main problems with backpacks and courier bags are:

1. Movement when peddling hard - especially with heavy loads.
2. Weight on shoulders and strap pain.
3. Sweat on shoulders and back.

Panniers allow me total freedome to ride aggressively without fear of the load sliding or moving on my back. In fact, I completely forget I'm carrying a load with panniers. I disagree that they look 'geeky'. If anything they make you look like a more serious/dedicated cyclist - nothing wrong with that.

It's also worth noting for those who like the convenience of a backpack that several pannier/backpack hybrids exist.

Since I'm still saving up for the 'race bike' I use a backpack as my current, and only bike is both my commuter, my training ride and my triathalon/race bike :(

No chance I would add a rack and have to deal with the removal of that daily to switch between commuting and training.

When I'm going on longer trips than the one to school and back everyday I put my gear in my panniers because I wear my Camelbak. I love that thing.

A set-up I'll admit is very dorky... backpack in handlebar basket. Why a handlebar basket? I can't afford a rear rack plus panniers yet, and I don't really commute with enough to justify the price. (I know that, in terms of weight distribution, this is not the safest/most manoeuverable set-up ever). And when I go to class/work, I can just throw the backpack over my shoulders.

I wore my backpack on my back up until last week, but it's such a relief to not have that weight on me.

I vote for---both!!! Arkel Bug, a pannier that turns into a backpack, err, wait, a pannier that turns into a backpack. Check it out, it's actually a very comfortable backpack too, well worth the cost, very well built. I love using it everyday, and everyone I meet who has one loves theirs.

And if you really love the sweaty back, you can still use it as a backpack while riding! ; )

Yes, I just got my Bug last week and it is exactly what I need--it clips on to the rack quickly and easily and converts from pannier to backpack and back with velcro. It's a sweet bag, a little expensive but in the past week it has been worth every penny.

I used backpacks, then messenger-style bags... until I strapped my messenger bag to my rack one morning. After I realised how nice it is to carry gear without it being strapped to my body, I got Jandd Economy panniers and never looked back. I use a trunk bag for light loads.

The only time I use my messenger bag now is for errands and grocery shopping.

Another vote for the Arkel Bug. When I started commuting a few weeks ago, I tried three different setups - a messenger bag, a backpack, and a backpack bungied to my rear rack. It was nice not having anything on me, but bungie-ing the backpack every time was a pain. My girlfriend bought me the Bug for my Birthday.

Today was my first commute, though I used it this weekend to run some errands. I like that when I get to the office, it's easy to just remove the whole thing and carry it as a backpack into the lockeroom. When running errands, it was easy just to pack the Bug with what I bought instead of shopping bags and then clip the bug onto my bike. I love it. And I love carrying my helmet in the front flap - It says "I bike everywhere, and I'm proud of it."

I was originally concerned with the weight all being on oneside, but in practice this wasn't at all an issue for me. The weight is close enough to the center that I just don't even notice it.

My one question for other Bug Owners - The little lock that is in the middle of the mountain strip - I can't get it to sit perfectly vertical when I lock it onto my bike. It's like the rack bar is too wide to allow this to happen. Anyone get what I'm talking about or should I take a picture? Is this normal?

The lock is double sided to fit different widths of tubing, so if you haven't already, try using the other side. It is adjustable by the little allen bolt, but as long as it locks the bag securely onto your rack I doubt it's a problem.

I have permanently replaced all my other daily luggage with my Bug. I no longer carry a backpack, messenger bag, or even a purse.

I remember Eclipse panniers--in fact I still have a pair which I use exclusively! They were far and away the best system available at the time the company (sadly) went under.

Does anyone have a source for buying any Eclipse equipment which might still be floating around? I'm especially looking for a rear rack and a handlebar bag to replace one which was stolen.

Thank!

-rob

I prefer backpack mainly because riding just seems easier with it. When all the weight is lumped on the bike, it feels very sluggish and heavy. A backpack can actually help you in some situations, e.g. when you are standing on the pedals to go uphill - the weight of the backpack is helping you push the pedals, while panniers would just make the ascent harder. They also increase wind resistance. And if you have to carry something "sensitive" like a laptop a backpack seems to me like a much better bet because your joints cushion the jolts due to surface irregularities, while all the vibrations transfer to the stuff in panniers.

I tour with a backpack-pannier combination and have no trouble with the backpack at all even on longer rides. And luckily for me, I suppose, I don't sweat as much as most people, so my back stays relatively dry even when I wear a backpack.

The Texas sun can make a backpack feel more like a heat blanket in no time.
I can't afford the panniers, so I got a relatively cheap tool bag, (rigid bottom, dennier nylon sides), and bolted it to the top of my rack. It is large enough that I can drop my sling style backpack in and zip it closed.
Since I bring my bike into work with me, I don't have to worry about anyone messing with it. I do have a luggage lock on the zipper so I can secure it for quick trips into the store and whatnot. That's also why I bolted it on; so someone couldn't just walk up, unclip it and go.
When I have it loaded down, the bike feels kind of sluggish, (I have fit three gallon jugs of milk in there). But most of the time I don't even notice it.
It's far from stylish, but it is functional.

How is the Clearance between your foot and the Bug?

This guy has big feet! :eek:


*** still using Kirtland panniers by-the-way

The clearance is fine, but I have small feet. Of course I also have a tiny bike, so I clip it on the rack as far back as possible. A 15" frame doesn't have much clearance for anything, even a water bottle.

I have big feet (46 EUR 12 US) and have no heel strike issues with my Bug. I wear large boots in the winter, which means I have to set the pannier a little further back on the rack, but it is not a problem and doesn't noticeably effect stability. The Bug is a wonderful product. Go for it, you won't be disapponited.