Tell us about your bags...
 

Am I wrong about this?

As we ride more and drive less, I'm thinking everyone carries a favorite pannier or backpack. Personally I have both. I use a backpack when my bike doesn't have a rack, but I really prefer to travel with a pannier.

I commute with one every day and am in a strange ritual of packing it every morning with clothing, food (for lunch..) and other things.

Even though it slows me down on weekend rides (the drag is noticeable too...), I often bring one without much in it. Then as I return, I'll stop at a shop on the way and fill it up.

My pannier is almost part of my uniform. Some of my friends tease me that it's my purse... :p

I like using a pannier and a messenger bag. I use the pannier for whatever I need for the bike ride (everything from tools to xtra clothes, rain gear) and things such as lunch, clothes for work, etc. The messenger bag is simply my briefcase and I put whatever I need for work into it.

My panniers are SunLite grocery getters, inexpensive and tough. Each one carries a grocery bag full. I almost always have them on the bike. But lately I've been using my JanSport Big Student backpack to carry my laptop. I prefer to carry the laptop in a backpack because I can limit the road shock.

I have an assortment of bags- messenger bag, backpack(s)*, a sling, and grocery panniers- and I use whatever based upon the job at hand. Though if pressed, I'd say the sling is my favorite (despite the small capacity) due to all of the reflective material.

*I currently have 2 that I claim as mine, an Ogio and a Dakine, but the Dakine is on loan to my son. He's the third child to use it. Part of the reason it is continually on loan is because it is better built than the cheap $10-15 packs my wife keeps buying every year.

These get a lot of use... and a lot of looks.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...etch%20(1).jpg

My trusty old MEC panniers (rear) have been serving me well for the last 8 years without fail.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...rade%20(2).JPG

I prefer to use a backpack or messenger bag for carrying my personal belongings such as clothing, spare tubes and tools. I only use panniers and trunk bags for doing grocery shopping. Many times when I only have a small grocery load I just stuff everything into my messenger bag.

I've been thinking about trying some commutes with backpack on a bike that doesn't have a rack.

My only reservation is that my pannier load is 12 pounds, including a stout lunch. That seems quite a load on your back.

Brompton, The Ortlieb O bag is perfect for the winter , when it rains a lot. I have 3 more pairs
1, is a strapped together pair on my Bike Friday, front rack ..

the other 2 pr are used for grocery shopping runs on my Trekking
the food goes in them, then they go back on the racks on The bike.

Most days I use my O Bag. I carry a small, stuffable backpack inside it in case I pop in to do some unexpected shopping. I also have a T-Bag, which I use on those days when I have to carry a lot of books and papers and for touring.

I also have a full set of Carradice Super C panniers and a pair of Ortlieb Front-Roller Plus, Greenpeace line front panniers for my mountain bikes.

I've been using various types of backpacks all my life, not only for cycling but also for hiking.
My back and shoulders are used to it and I never get any pain or discomfort. Also not all backpacks are created equal, some are more comfortable then others, there are cycling specific backpacks which offer a little more comfort but they are not necessary, as a good hiking pack will also provide comfort. One thing which you can not avoid when using backpacks is sweaty back, it's just something that you will need to live with and get used to it.
Messenger bags are not as comfortable as backpacks but I like using them for doing short grocery runs, I can stuff a lot of groceries inside a large messenger bag.

A lesson I (finally -- I am slow!) learned about bags is that they must be waterproof or I ain't going to bother with them at all.

Ortlieb Backroller Classics are.

I use only a backpack, since I've never had to buy groceries for more than myself. Sometimes I have a lot in my backpack, but I've never had any problems with back aches. I think the decent ones are pretty well designed to avoid strain on the back.

Actually, I feel naked when I don't have a backpack on. I tell car driving friends that it's my purse, my glove compartment, and even my car trunk.

Most waterproof bags I've seen are pretty heavy and not very convnient.

It really depends on what bike I'm on, and what my mission for the day is.

For my daily work commute, two Ortlieb pannier (backroller classics), unless I get a wild hair and ride my fixed bike, then an ancient XXL Timbuk2 messenger (which had carried everything from work clothes and my lunch, to a Stihl 30" chain saw with bar oil and a small can of premix, to Mungo -- my friend's 8-year old child -- he loved it). I also use the messenger if I'm going to be locking up in a sketch place -- much easier to carry around with me, and my 'beater bike' doesn't have a rack anyway.

If I'm just headed to town for breakfast and a ride up our coastal trail -- worth checking out if you find yourself in Anchorage -- a medium Jannd messenger has been my go to, but it was recently replaced with a Patagonia Black Hole messenger (jury is still out on this one, but the Jannd kept breaking buckles.

In the past, I've also regularly cycled with my ski pack (a Backcountry Access), complete with skis, poles, and everything I needed to patrol for the day while wearing plastic telemark ski boots. It's a little awkward until one gets used to it.

I've been quite pleasantly surprised how light and easy to use our new waterproof Ortlieb handlebar bags are. Definitely no heavier than any of my other handlebar bags. They are roomy ... I can get quite a lot in there. And easy to open and shut, but of course, not too easy ...

I'll have to check them out next time I'm looking for a new bag. For now, my ordinary nylon backpack is reasonably water resistant. If something absolutely must stay dry, I put it in a plastic box or bag inside the pack.

My messenger bag and and my roll top backpack are 100% waterproof. Made from the same material as dry bags for outdoor use. They are easy to use and very convinient. The were a little stiff and hard when brand new, but now after many years of use the material has become a little softer. I wouldn't use any bag unless it's 100% waterproof.

Carradice bags are waterproof as well. They are not only practical, convenient, and not overly heavy ... but they are also beautiful. :)

I've been using my oldest one for a decade and have been very happy with it.

I think I would miss the zippers and multiple compartments.

Why?

Convenience, fast access, and better organization. TEHO

I tend to buy bags that don't have a lot of compartments. Usually the compartments have zippers and they are the first thing on the bag to break. I have quite a few bags that were decommissioned due to broken zippers.

On the other hand, putting everything into one compartment is a bit of a pain. You often can't find anything. To get around this, I sometimes group items and put them into a nylon sack.

^^ This.

I group small stuff in plastic or cloth bags. Ziploc bags work well for some things.

Small Chrome backpack. Holds all my necessaries via commute and then some. I ride multiple bikes and do a bike-bus-bike commute, so a backpack is most sensible option.

I have a more substantial backpack with expanded living gear, but realistically, it would live in a trailer if I was to adapt it to bike only life + trailer.

Ziplock bags work well too. Actually, the smartest thing to do is have a mix of ziplock, cloth and nylon. That way, you stick your hand in the bag, feel around for the texture... and voilà