you sound like an awesome person. when i grow up i can only hope and pray that i will be as cool as you are with your locally-produced real art.

Maybe "art" was the wrong word, sort of high falootin', right? But I definitely enjoy being in the same room as my bike and looking at it. It's not like I can see it from this perspective while riding it. Well, we've got off on a tangent. Backpacks, FTW!

I don't want my bikes in the main part of the house to look at like art work, it just looks weird with the home's decor. Maybe if the bike was a mint condition late 60's to early 70's classic museum piece like a Colnago or Bianchi, or Cinelli or some such bike hanging on a wall...but I think I would still run into opposition from my wife!

I knew a guy in Bakersfield Ca that had bikes all over the house, his wife got so fed up with his obsession he divorced him!

Instead I decorate the basement with my bikes.

I prefer a saddlebag... err, a rack, err....


Commute Ready by What Photos Look Like, on Flickr

That bike looks odd, I'm know the Soma line of bikes but that one looks different. I assume those tires are quite a bit smaller then 700c tires? why? And how tall are you? The bike looks really tall, or the tires are really small and makes the bike look tall.

It's a mini-velo, I think.

That's what it is alright. I've never seen one before, it seems like it would be odd to ride.

I have a backpack that you can zip up the straps and use it like a pannier and hook it to your rack. It from a company called "Lone Peak" in SLC, UT. I got it like 10 years ago, so I have no idea if the company still exists. It's pretty quick to switch back and forth and to hook up...

Sprawling Western ranch houses, w 2 car Garages, they seem odd , but for tiny apartments ,
they have been a popular choice , as have folding bikes ..

I think it all depends on your commute whether it's a few miles or a lot. I say a backpack if its 4 miles or less. You won't even bust a sweat in the morning depending on where you live. I have two backpacks, a front rack with a porteur style bag, and soon to have a saddle bag. I guess what I'm trying to say is it depends on distance and what all are you carrying into/from work that day to use one or the other.

Back pack is definitely easier and quicker to deal with, but having the load on the rack literally takes the load off your back.

I have a mini-velo and commute on it regularly with a rack and panniers. The small wheels spin up fast and the handling is quick, but when you are cruising along it rides just like a normal bike with larger wheels. Honestly, it is a heck of a lot of fun to ride. It just doesn't feel quite as efficient as my 700c wheel bikes. It's really not much slower though.

I have a nice rack on my bicycle but daily use I stick with a backpack. The rack usually only gets used for larger stuff when needed.
The backpack has always seemed more convenient for my purposes and I am usually carrying it whether or not on a bike.

I've been using a backpack every time I ride but I'm looking to buy a durable rear rack

Today I brought in my old road bike instead of my mtb commutersaurus, and it has no cargo room, so I used a backpack. I forgot backpack straps ride against my pacemaker. I'm sore. So there's that...

rack for sure. use p-clips. stock up on supplies (food and clothing) using a car once a week so you have to carry less each day. you might still want to carry the laptop in a courier bag though saving it from the jarring road vibrations

I use both a panier and a small back pack each day. I use the panier for the heavier items (my lunch and coffee and beverages). I use the pack for my water bladder plus my wallet, keys and phone etc.

I oscillate- I tend to rotate between a mess bag, a couple of different backpacks, and grocery panniers based upon weather, distance, capacity needs, and mood.

Used to use a backpack for work, but panniers make everything feel so much better. Just a little less convenient.

I have to admit I didn't read through the whole thread (5 pages...ugh...), but I wanted to specifically mention that they do makes racks for bikes without rack eyelets. Here's one -
https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...iner-disc-dlx/

If you do a search you can find several more options as well.

I prefer a rack. I've done both, and a backpack makes my back sweaty if I'm warm, I don't like carrying something heavy on my back while biking, and if you're riding bent over with curly bars it really doesn't work to have a flat backpack (like with a laptop in it) trying to hold onto your curved back (to be fair, a messenger back might be better).

Topeak Explorer Rack with Topeak trunk bag

I own a Mission Workshop Vandal, but it now gets used only for air travel or non-bike specific tasks (for now). I know that when I replace my mountain bike, it will probably become my go-to bag for bikepacking again until I get a bob trailer.

However, having ridden thousands of miles with it on, I can say that when I built up my Vaya, I went with the Salsa rack and a pair of Arkiel panniers - which I do not regret at all.
The bags do hold less than my Vandal, but they're not on my back. This is a big deal when you're pushing 20 miles in 90+ degree tropical weather conditions. I'm still soaked after the ride to work and home, but I'm not getting significant skin irritation where the bag sits anymore and, much more importantly, I'm not overheating in the sun.

I think backpacks definitely have their place, but when it comes to commuting, I'm finding that as I break over the 600 miles a month mark, that place is firmly in the short, limited haul capacity.

I don't know what I prefer but right now I am using a backpack. All I carry is a laptop and my lunch so to me it is not that bad.