Backpack/Pannier
 

And I don't mean a debate between the two, I mean what do y'all think of the backpack+pannier combos out there? I am thinking about procuring the Nashbar Action Pack n' Pannier, but are there any others out there?

there was a thread a little while ago about this very pannier.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...shbar+backpack

I've never used it, but I thought it was a cool idea until I read aobut the mounting system. Now I think a better idea would be to get the nashbar grocery bag pannier that folds up when not in use and throw a regular backpack inside.

Yeah, that's what I do... Quick and easy, and only 20 bucks. Then you can use any bag you want. It will ride a little higher than a regular pannier though.

Now THERE's an idea I had not considered, and it's cheaper. Brilliant!

Does anyone out here do that (use a grocery pannier with their backpack) and care to comment?

I suppose that would make dismounting a pain (especially when my backpack is a rather large REI Vagabond).

It's not bad with a normal bookbag-type backpack. I use a backpack that's about the size of a normal pannier. Only kicked the pannier off once. Since then I have stopped doing standing dismounts anyway since I read on sheldon brown that it is not so great for the bike. If I want to pick up a lot of groceries on the way home, I can fill both grocery panniers and wear the backpack. Pretty good system for commuting. Nothing beats my xtracycle pedelec for cargo capacity though :)

You mean this article: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/starting.html right?

How did changing dismount techniques relieve you of the necessity of swinging a leg over the rack to get off the bike?

Yes, that one. When dismounting from a stationary bike I have a lot more control of the leg that is swung over. The one time I knocked off the pannier I was doing a cowboy mount, of course there were people there who witnessed the whole thing. :) My backpack only sits about as high as a rack trunk anyway. My bike is road bike anyway, so being concious of the panniers is always necesary. There is pretty close heel clearance which is only an issue when I'm not locked into the pedals. Anyway, the grocery carrier works well for me. My only complaint is when you have it folded out and there is something small in there, like a six-pack of beer, it can slide around. When it is folded you can still carry a u-lock wedged in there or some small items. Also the nashbar bags have small pockets underneath that hold the included rain cover and have room for a pump, tube, multitool, etc.

Here's my bike, sorry no pic of the backpack on there.:

As it turns out, I've been mounting and dismounting correctly for a few years without ol'Sheldon's help. Maybe I just need to pay more attention to my appendages. :) I guess the only things I've absentmindedly kicked while mounting/dismounting were a) my fully expanded rack trunk and b) my backpack in a regular pannier when I brought it home from REI.

I will have to study the physics of the situation further when the pair I have on order arrive.

Thanks for the info.

Regarding the Nashbar Action-Pack 'n Pannier, it is a total piece of crap. I got it on sale for $45, and I can honestly say it's the worst $45 I ever spent. Mounting system is inadequately weak, the pannier fell off all the time. The material tore after it fell off the bike a few times, nicer panniers would hold up better (or not fall off in the first place). When I replaced the mounting system with a a homemade upgrade, it worked fine for about a week, before the zipper that holds it on the bike broke, thus rending the whole thing useless. The backplate is weak, and flexy and generally inadequate. Also, the size is awkward, it's HUGE, too big for student use that it's marketed for, and if you fill it up all the way the pannier just isn't strong enough to hold all the weight.

All in all, avoid this product.

I'd really recommend the Arkel Bug. A very well designed pannier, I used it for four year before giving it to my wife who has been using it for the past year. The new version looks even better.

I have been in the same situation and agree 100%. The Nashbar POS is the worst product design I have ever seen! Go with the Arkel Bug. I have both. The cat sleeps on the Nashbar one...

I don't quite understand all the fuss. I just use a 2" wide strap with a side release buckle and put it through the handles of two panniers and throw it over the shoulder, one pannier in front and one in back. I prefer a front low rider rack - lower center of gravity, better aerodynamics. The strap turns it into something akin to old saddlebags over the shoulder, easy enough.