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.

Thanks.... 13's (US) here

I'm using a Monashee backpack, which is basically a well-designed daypack, with raised padding on both straps and waist area. As long as you don't decide to take the kitchen sink along, it's not TOO bad on cooler days. I've been considering a change to a rack bag to keep the dreaded sweaty back away in the summer months, plus the air circulation is nice for keeping cool in general. MEC sells a decent rear rack for about $15 CDN, it's a welded aluminum Trace rack with no name tag, I've looked at both, and the same rack in the Trace bag is $25 at the LBS.
As for the bag, MEC also sells a Blitz Crag climbing pack for $20 that looks like it will fit well, why bother spending more for all the extra pockets and webbing we'll never use anyway? Slice the shoulder straps off, add a couple small bungee cords to the body of the bag, and you have a custom built combo with carry handle for off the bike.

Rack - http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1121008716844

Bag - http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1121008859520

Just got back from Home Depot... sorry but it's Panniers all the way!
With 2 bottles of liquid Fert., Bag of Grass Seed, Some Hooks, Electric supplies...
Not to mention my regular stuff...Lock, Water, Wallet, etc..etc.....

I even took the long way home to get a ride in.

I use 'em both. For short trips around my campus, either to class or on various errands, I'll just throw everything I need into my backpack and wear that. You just can't beat the convenience of that. But if I need to ride into town or any more than a couple of miles away (like to work, for example), I strap my panniers to my rack. That goes double if I need to do some shopping. And now that I have four panniers and two racks, I can do a LOT of shopping on my bike :D.

--- The pannier provides additional surface area to attach reflective tape and/or blinkies.

For light to medium loads, get a messenger bag, for heavier loads, get panniers, and for big loady-loads, get a Burley Nomad trailer.

Backpacks suk.

I have a similar set-up, only with bungee cords instead of a web. The Explorer panniers are a perfect size for commuting and errands, but I do wish they came with a shoulder strap or something so I wouldn't have to carry them by hand when I take them off the bike.

Arkel Utility Basket panniers for the heavy loads. Otherwise a messenger bag.

The question of backpacks versus panniers was covered by "Bicycling Science" MIT Press - 3 Editions now. Weight on the bike is less stress, then weight on the back and the rider with backpack has worse balance and a higher center of gravity. The lower the weight on the bike the lower the center of gravity, and the easier handling the bike. Rear packs without front packs causes servere handling problems due to the light front end, poor steering and poor aerodynamics. All panniers should be loaded tight or strapped tight to give the best balance. Front packs mounted low at mid axle improve the aerodynamics of a bike and the balance. Front packs cause slightly slower steering. Seatbags have little effect on aerodynamics. Small aerodynamic low front panniers with a large wedge shaped seatbag give decent balance and great aerodynamics. Carry a wide strap to hold it all together when off the bike and throw the load over your shoulder. The newer mounting systems are much more secure and each pack can be removed in about 2 seconds. I put my heavy bike lighting system battery in the seatbag to balance the front low rider panniers. Unless I am doing a major load I don't use rear panniers. My Trek 410, Sport Tourer, has only the front racks. I switch my seatbag with battery and NightRider light, each bike has a slip in headlight bracket, harness wires and I have a jack on each seat post, when I go to my MTB. My MTB has a rarely used rear rack, but I have an extra set of panniers, but for real loads I use a Bob Yak bike trailer - the bike with the trailer handles poorly without front panniers - so I always load the fronts when using the trailer.