Originally Posted by abortionpunch (Post 5174029)

What bag is this?

Originally Posted by asymptotic (Post 5172641)

Hijacking this topic, are there any super-simple, sturdy, cheap panniers out there? I'm thinking along the lines of a huge waterproof sack with nothing but a flap over its gaping maw, hooks for a rack, and one semirigid side so it's not sucked into my wheel.

Originally Posted by MrCjolsen (Post 5172892)

I've used them all. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Messenger bag: Good for bulky things that are not too heavy or if the trip is short. On my fourteen mile commute, if it's just clothes no problem. Add a lock, or some tools, and it gets unpleasant. A laptop is OK if it's nothing else. What's best about a messenger bag is that you can get in and out of it easily and not have to remove it from the bike. If you make a lot of stops or go multi-modal, then it's probably a good choice.

Backpack: Better than a messenger bag for heavy things. But it must be removed if you want anything from it. Can be a pain if that's where you keep your lock and it's raining. Best if you are riding long distances on your Bianchi Pista.

Panniers: Easy to remove from the bike if you get the right kind. Low center of gravity. Not real aerodynamic. Hard to get into when attached to the bike. Best if you need to carry a lot of very heavy stuff for a long distance. Next best thing to a trailer.

Trunk bag: Easier to get into while the bag is on the bike. More aerodnamic than panniers. Can't carry a lot of bulky, large things. High center of gravity. Hard to get off the bike quickly. Good if you like to roll your clothes into a ball or use your bike for burger runs. Also good if you like to travel with all of your bike tools, four extra tubes and a few extra tires.