Thus far in my car-lite lifestyle I've been using a cardboard box bolted to my rear rack. Its worked well but I've come across a few security concerns in the past. So I've been giving some serious consideration to using a backpack even though I detest having anything on my back while I ride.

Does anyone have a system they use?? A pack would be nice as I can take it into a store and keep all my valuables handy. But then its one more thing I need to worry about.

You've got all sorts of options to carry things by bike.

1. A small backpack is great for a lot of day-to-day items, provided you don't have to go too far. Mountain Equipment Co-op (mec.ca) sells one that's designed for cycling. It's a little narrower than a standard pack, so it's easier to turn your head and see behind you. If you're looking at packs, also look at courier bags, which provide another way of carrying items on your person instead of on your bike.

2. A rack trunk works wonderfully if you've got some small items to carry, but look around before you go this route. A lot of rack trunks won't hold one grocery bag worth of goods, but there are some great rack trunks with larger capacity.

3. A handlebar bag typically has less room than a rack trunk. You will have the advantage of being able to remove a handlebar bag a little faster than a rack trunk. It's a good solution if you're carrying small items you need with you all the time. It's not so good on a grocery run unless you're just buying a few small things.

4. Panniers are great for increased capacity and for hauling items over longer distances. You'll usually be able to unhook panniers quickly.

5. A trailer gives increased capacity, but it also has its own set of issues. There's usually a lot of information about trailers in the utility cycling section.

I personally like using the pack for shorter trips in town. I seldom carry more than I can take in a pack and I like the convenience of having the bag with me. However, if I had to ride farther, I'd use panniers. I already use them for touring where they work extremely well.

Put your backpack in the box while you ride.

/thread

Panniers that clip on and off easily, or a basket to put the back pack in. I use both and baskets rule! Milk crates work pretty well too.

Aaron

Backpack is fine unless you are going long distances or have a heavy load. You can also put a couple of hooks on the backpack and attach it to your bike. Or you can use Aaron's suggestion above.... although don't forget to bungee the backpack so it can't move around.

I'm stuck with always having a backpack on my rides that are at least a couple hours long. Usually it's because I'm going to my friend's house who lives 37 miles away so I pack for an overnight stay. I use it to store my wallet, phone, keys, water bottles, a change of clothes, and toiletries. I'm sure it adds on about 15 lbs or so but as far as I can tell it hasn't slowed me down, but it does make me sweat a bit more.

I much prefer panniers. No back sweat, not top heavy when you ride. The ones that have open hooks at the top and a bungee cord hook at the bottom aren't' very secure. The one I have now is an Axiom U of A bag and it has hooks that go over the rack rail and a rotating wedge that locks the rack rail from below. Quick to attach/detach and secure when riding. It looks like the one below but mine is black.
It comes with both a shoulder strap and handle for carrying and is a little larger than a standard briefcase. It has a flap that attaches with a small velcro patch, not fully weatherproof, but good enough in most weather.

I use panniers, and they work very well for me. I can carry a lot of stuff, and in warm weather I don't get all sweaty. However, this choice does mean a loss in terms of performance. This doesn't bother me, but it might bother you.

In addition to panniers, I used to carry a messenger bag, and I like the messenger bag, but didn't want it covering up my back, especially at night when I want my yellow jacket as visible as possible. I converted to a handlebar bag for wallet-like items. I have spare mounts, one on each bike, so I can use the handlebar bag on my short bike or my Xtracycle. I still use panniers on my short bike. Years ago I used a plastic "milk crate like" box u-bolted to my cargo rack, but it put my center of gravity way too high, especially when carrying books. I got a PakRack cargo rack with low top-rails so that I can mount my panniers about 2 inches lower, and farther back, which I find helps keep my center of gravity lower.

Yup and that is why there is a cargo net over that front basket!

Aaron

I use a multi-tiered system. I have a backpack, a rack and panniers and a trailer. The backpack is good for small items and light stuff. I use the shopping panniers for heavier loads, and for stores that won't allow me to take my backpack inside. The trailer is for the big stuff.

my panniers have should straps so if i need to i just take em off and throw em on, i for years used just a back pack but since ive switched to a rack and bags i cant imagine going back it just so much easier

Thanks for the replies. I've been using a cardboard box bolted to the rear rack. I have a thin piece of plywood on the bottom for extra support and bottom strength. I even have some reflective tape on the rear for visability.

I tried the backpack thing the other week and I cannot see that working, at least in place of the box. Maybe I'll try a combo of both next week and see how that goes.

I'm not sure how big a box you're putting on the rear rack. The bigger it is and the higher it sits the more it will affect your centre of gravity, and that will have an effect on the handling of the bike.

If you look, you can find wire baskets that attach to the rack similar to panniers. These give you the capacity without raising your centre of gravity.

I am thinking you mean something different by the word cardboard than what I think of as cardboard... since a cardboard box would disintegrate in the rain

Why not put a pannier on the rack? Get one with a good shoulder strap on it so its easy to carry off the bike.

Or as a temporary solution, put your stuff in a small backpack, and the backpack in the rack box. That way you can easily take the backpack with you when you get off the bike but you don't have to carry it.

I just bungee cord a backpack to the bike.... it may shift slightly if you jerk the bike one way or another, but it wont fall off as long as you bungee it very tight. Cheap and effective.

Personally I prefer backpacks to panniers. I keep mine packed at all times, so I can just leave the house without worrying what I have with me. I sometimes walk or take the bus, so I like a carrier that works for other transport as well as the bike. (I keep the bike stuff--lights, tools, tube, mini-pump--in a pouch that goes inside the pack, so I can easily remove it when I'm not riding.) I guess I was blessed with a strong back, so the pack has never caused me any discomfort.

I have been using this for a while now, love it, Hope this helps, Richard

I'm a fan of backpacks (the EMS Creek Freak in particular). Been using it daily for over a year for everything I do. It keeps things simple - no racks or baskets means a lightweight bike and forces me to travel lightly (a good thing), meaning whatever I can fit in the backpack. I do get the sweaty back, but I shower before work and just tolerate it everywhere else I go. Works for me. I have to say I don't understand the messenger bag thing - around here, it seems like people think it's a necessity if you ride a bike.

I have an outdoor products backpack and I love it =) when it completely breaks I am gonna get another one