Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Backpack -> Pannier -> Trunk bag?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Backpack -> Pannier -> Trunk bag?

Old 04-29-19, 12:03 PM
  #26  
Skaughtto
Commuter
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: California
Posts: 26

Bikes: Domane 2.0, CrossRip LTD

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
GCN did a test that concluded with a giant saddlebag coming out on top:

I bought the same saddlebag in the video and used it for wet weather commuting. (Loaded with jeans, shirt, button up, wallet, phone, keys, frozen burrito...) It made a good mudguard when I wasn't using an Ass-Saver.

Lately I've found a backpack to be more convenient for accessing stuff mid-ride. I toss the inner dry bag from the saddlebag into the backpack when it rains. Having the backpack at work is nice when I take trips to a grocery store or someplace else. I usually load up a fridge at work with sandwich components, so I don't need to transport food from home. When I do bring in leftovers, I just wrap the resealable containers in plastic wrap and they travel well. I have a filtered water pitcher at my desk and a small electric moka pot for coffee, so no drinks on the bike.

How do people handle pot luck events? That's been my biggest challenge.
Skaughtto is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 01:00 PM
  #27  
madpogue 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,728 Times in 1,180 Posts
Originally Posted by Skaughtto
How do people handle pot luck events? That's been my biggest challenge.
* Don't participate
* Trailer
madpogue is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 01:26 PM
  #28  
Skipjacks
Senior Member
 
Skipjacks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115

Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite

Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times in 155 Posts
Originally Posted by Skaughtto
GCN did a test that concluded with a giant saddlebag coming out on top:
Aero is a whole different consideration.

I am SURE my filled panniers sticking out increase my aerodynamic drag and do not help me.

However...

1) I'm commuting on the bike for exercise. So less aero means more exercise so no love lost there.

2) I bike before I drink my coffee so I'm not exactly trying to set and land speed records in the morning anyway. Going home at the end of the day is a different story.

Last edited by Skipjacks; 04-29-19 at 03:22 PM.
Skipjacks is offline  
Likes For Skipjacks:
Old 04-29-19, 01:32 PM
  #29  
Phamilton
Virgo
 
Phamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: KFWA
Posts: 1,273

Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 454 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times in 69 Posts
I can fit my laptop plus charger and mouse, work documents, a change of clothes, and lunch stuff all in one big pannier. But I don't always necessarily like all that weight on the one side of my bike so sometimes will break it up between the backpack and the pannier. You don't have to commit to one specific way of doing things all the time. The more tools you have at your disposal the more you'll dial in what's right for you in each situation. Sometimes I don't carry anything but my tool kit, pump, and water. I've never had a trunk bag or a handlebar bag.
Phamilton is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 02:01 PM
  #30  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
There are many reasonable suggestions within this thread. However, I don't see any remotely multimodal options. Ortlieb's offerings are the best I have sampled and I would continue to rate them as a slight movement in the right direction.

This was my day (and a reason that I won't change away from a backpack.)

I cycled into work with a 20L backpack with a MBP, bike lock, phone, lights, passport/wallet.

Stopped at the barber for a beardtrim/headshave and locked the bike to bike post (couldn't leave anything in panniers outside.)

Then, I rolled over to a coffee shop for a take away.

Then, arrived at work and locked it outside the office in the bike rack.

My partner called and said the weather is nice, so let's go to Winchester with our new daughter. I said great and bring my dSLR as the extended family is going as well.

They met us at the local mall so we could go to the bank and open a child ISA and hit TK Maxx.

They we hoped in the car and drove 30 miles to Winchester where I pushed the daughter/pram around.

It was around 5 miles of walking and sme shopping and some coffees/cakes.

Then they dropped me off at the uni, where I hopped on the bike and rode home.

Over the course of the day, the backpack had:

To barber (lights, passport/wallet, bike, lock, MBP, phone, etc...)
Locked on corner near coffee shop (same but lock)
Bike rack (same but lock, left stuff in office not needed)
Walked over to mall (phone, passport/wallet)
Added (dSLR, ID documents for daughter)
After bank (dSLR, passport/wallet)
While pushing pram (partners jacket, shopping, dSLR, ID)
At office (dSLR/MBP/bike lock/etc)
Cycle home

I don't see panniers with the same utility.

This is not an abnormal day by any means and just had a personal car as the second mode instead of train/bus/hovercraft/plane/taxi.

I don't see how a backpack can be beat for sheer utility.

Perhaps we have different lifestyles / living environments.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 02:09 PM
  #31  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
The Terra Trike is changing my narrative. It has a top bag but I need some kind of small bag or pack that I can access in front of me. I can't figure out where to put it. Backpack is obviously out. Hip pockets in my pants interfere with seat. Stuff falls out of front pockets if they're stitched to the seam or if not, settles to the side and hits the steerers. The bag in the rear is only accessible when totally off the trike and standing next to it. There's a single bottle cage between the knees but it's awkward to reach and level instead of tilted... and better have a no-spill spout. Terra Trike makes some add-on bars that clamp to the steerers and cantilever out in front of them, doubling as grab bars for getting in. But that's a reach. I think I've seen a photo of a bag that was sticking out from the side of the seat. So far the most convenient thing has been sweater pockets but it's not usually going to be cool enough to wear them.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 02:16 PM
  #32  
veloiste
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wow, this started a great conversation. Using a trunk bag sounds like a good idea, although I do carry a laptop on occasion, so I'd still need a pannier for that. I haven't seen a trunk bag that is sized for a laptop.

Someone mentioned a Thermos for soup and liquids. I think that's exactly what I need to buy. I've been using kitchen storage containers, but find that they can leak slightly when being jostled in a pannier.
veloiste is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 04:31 PM
  #33  
madpogue 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,728 Times in 1,180 Posts
Originally Posted by acidfast7
There are many reasonable suggestions within this thread. However, I don't see any remotely multimodal options. Ortlieb's offerings are the best I have sampled and I would continue to rate them as a slight movement in the right direction.

This was my day (and a reason that I won't change away from a backpack.)

I cycled into work with a 20L backpack with a MBP, bike lock, phone, lights, passport/wallet.

Stopped at the barber for a beardtrim/headshave and locked the bike to bike post (couldn't leave anything in panniers outside.)

Then, I rolled over to a coffee shop for a take away.

Then, arrived at work and locked it outside the office in the bike rack.

My partner called and said the weather is nice, so let's go to Winchester with our new daughter. I said great and bring my dSLR as the extended family is going as well.

They met us at the local mall so we could go to the bank and open a child ISA and hit TK Maxx.

They we hoped in the car and drove 30 miles to Winchester where I pushed the daughter/pram around.

It was around 5 miles of walking and sme shopping and some coffees/cakes.

Then they dropped me off at the uni, where I hopped on the bike and rode home.

Over the course of the day, the backpack had:

To barber (lights, passport/wallet, bike, lock, MBP, phone, etc...)
Locked on corner near coffee shop (same but lock)
Bike rack (same but lock, left stuff in office not needed)
Walked over to mall (phone, passport/wallet)
Added (dSLR, ID documents for daughter)
After bank (dSLR, passport/wallet)
While pushing pram (partners jacket, shopping, dSLR, ID)
At office (dSLR/MBP/bike lock/etc)
Cycle home

I don't see panniers with the same utility.

This is not an abnormal day by any means and just had a personal car as the second mode instead of train/bus/hovercraft/plane/taxi.

I don't see how a backpack can be beat for sheer utility.

Perhaps we have different lifestyles / living environments.
I've carried all that, as well as lunch, changes of clothes, a laptop (not just a table) and more, with a convertible backpack-pannier. Shoot, I delivered a couple DESKTOP computers with my big-ol' Timbuk2 convertible (if it were white instead of black, you'd think I was an Apollo astronaut). I sure wouldn't have wanted it on my back at the time....

These days I'm using a Bikase convertible. Smaller, more like a business backpack with compartments. This morning it rained, but I knew it would be dry in the afternoon, so I put my bike on the bus bike rack. Pulled the back straps out of the pannier at home, tucked in the rack hooks, put it on my back and walked the bike to the bus stop. On a lark I rode the bike from the bus stop to my locker, but kept the bag on my back. Wasn't worth switching modes on the fly, but it definitely reminded me how much easier and more stable it is having it on a rack. So for the ride home, it goes back into pannier mode.
madpogue is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 07:06 PM
  #34  
cyccommute 
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times in 2,325 Posts
Originally Posted by veloiste
Wow, this started a great conversation. Using a trunk bag sounds like a good idea, although I do carry a laptop on occasion, so I'd still need a pannier for that. I haven't seen a trunk bag that is sized for a laptop.
It would depend on the trunk bag and the size of the laptop. The side bags on the Trunk-it (no longer made but similar to other trunk bags) would probably be big enough for some of the smaller laptops.

However, I’m an old guy who has used the fact that I can’t carry a computer on a bicycle as an excuse to not donate my time to my work. I’ll volunteer hours and hours to my local co-op but my work pays me for my time and my experience. I ain’t going to give away what I sell. Working double time just means half pay.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 04-29-19, 07:10 PM
  #35  
madpogue 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,728 Times in 1,180 Posts
^^^^^^ I get either comp or overtime for any time I work from home. Plus, it gives me the option to telecommute during regular work hours, if weather or other situations call for it.
madpogue is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 12:18 AM
  #36  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by madpogue
I've carried all that, as well as lunch, changes of clothes, a laptop (not just a table) and more, with a convertible backpack-pannier. Shoot, I delivered a couple DESKTOP computers with my big-ol' Timbuk2 convertible (if it were white instead of black, you'd think I was an Apollo astronaut). I sure wouldn't have wanted it on my back at the time....

These days I'm using a Bikase convertible. Smaller, more like a business backpack with compartments. This morning it rained, but I knew it would be dry in the afternoon, so I put my bike on the bus bike rack. Pulled the back straps out of the pannier at home, tucked in the rack hooks, put it on my back and walked the bike to the bus stop. On a lark I rode the bike from the bus stop to my locker, but kept the bag on my back. Wasn't worth switching modes on the fly, but it definitely reminded me how much easier and more stable it is having it on a rack. So for the ride home, it goes back into pannier mode.
It's not about carrying capacity. Backpacks trump all other modes for carry capacity. I'm staring at a 10L, 15L and a 25L right now that our party used yesterday, while walking.

Someone even had one of these ... sigh ... Fjällraven what have you become.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fjallraven&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjqofLqlffhAhWEuHEKHV_ABsIQ_AUID ygC&biw=1268&bih=562

I must admit that I haven't tried every product save for the Ortliebs (as they are seen as 90% of all panniers here in southern England).

When, I see someone with a pannier on their back I actually ask them how it is. In the barber shop, someone came it with the Orteib and I asked. There, the response was uncomfortable and expensive.

I'm OK with the expense, as I spend 1 Ortlieb/month to keep my hair in order. (Barbership Black membership is £100/mo) ... The Barbership ? Portsmouth Barbershop ? Barbers in Southsea & Gosport

However, I'm not cool with the discomfort. Would I like walked 5 miles yesterday while pushing a pram/buggy/Kinderwagen, probably not and that makes the decision for me?

Also, they get dirty, compared to a backpack and I don't want dirt on my nice clothes.

Was wearing one of these yesterday and don't want it soiled.

https://www.tigerofsweden.com/gb/blazers/1903-blazer-T66533003.html?cgid=99eab02a0a4d5bc95fe6eea4cb2ecdd51561b4c5&dwvar_T66533003_color=090#!start=9

It is good that you have stated that a Bikase is somewhat comfortable. If I see one discounted at a bike shop or at an outlet (TK Maxx, went into three of those ****ers yesterday), I'll give it a shot and pass my own judgement.

Last edited by acidfast7; 04-30-19 at 12:39 AM.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 12:29 AM
  #37  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by Skaughtto
GCN did a test that concluded with a giant saddlebag coming out on top: https://youtu.be/wdfB5fbVHck

I bought the same saddlebag in the video and used it for wet weather commuting. (Loaded with jeans, shirt, button up, wallet, phone, keys, frozen burrito...) It made a good mudguard when I wasn't using an Ass-Saver.

Lately I've found a backpack to be more convenient for accessing stuff mid-ride. I toss the inner dry bag from the saddlebag into the backpack when it rains. Having the backpack at work is nice when I take trips to a grocery store or someplace else. I usually load up a fridge at work with sandwich components, so I don't need to transport food from home. When I do bring in leftovers, I just wrap the resealable containers in plastic wrap and they travel well. I have a filtered water pitcher at my desk and a small electric moka pot for coffee, so no drinks on the bike.

How do people handle pot luck events? That's been my biggest challenge.
Measuring drag as even being a factor during commuting in England is ridiculous. The traffic density will be so high that those analyses are about as far away from real world as possible. Unless you're living somewhere non-urbanised, to which 84% of people of the UK live in an urban area, suggesting that study makes no sense.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 05:46 AM
  #38  
flangehead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 903

Bikes: 2017 Co-op ADV 1.1; ~1991 Novara Arriba; 1990 Fuji Palisade; mid-90's Moots Tandem; 1985 Performance Superbe

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 385 Post(s)
Liked 562 Times in 328 Posts
Very much depends on conditions. For mine, this is working.

Toiletries in shower room. (Lucky to have shower.)

Right pannier has tools, tube and such and is locked to the bike.

Left pannier and lights come in with me.

Breakfast and lunch in bag.

Folded clothes in file drawer. I bring batches in by car or use a large box tied onto rack with bungee cords.



Elastic net secures lunch box.


Two panniers.
flangehead is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 05:55 AM
  #39  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
I guess what I don't understand is how does one lock a pannier when going inside? Rather than losing a hand to carrp somewhere or emptying something out and carrying a bunch of lose stuff.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 07:09 AM
  #40  
Phamilton
Virgo
 
Phamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: KFWA
Posts: 1,273

Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 454 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times in 69 Posts
For me, having a laptop is the flexibility that allows me to choose whether or not to ride or when to ride. I log my hours and get paid for any time I work off the clock.
My pannier is a cheap thing I bought from Target on clearance a few years ago. It has a strap on top and lifts off the rack so I can take it with me.
IMO the backpack is the most useful. My commute is about an hour each way, that’s kind of a long time to have that much weight on the back.
My work commute is 90% on open roads out in the countryside, long stretches without stops and usually quite windy. The pannier definitely has some serious wind drag. But in town, with a bunch of stops,
etc, drag is not a factor. I appreciate being able to sometimes take the pannier and my backpack to the store, I can get 2 full bags of groceries in each the pannier and my backpack and strap a full paper sack to the top of the rack. But that’s a only a 2 mile ride.
Phamilton is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 10:00 PM
  #41  
flangehead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 903

Bikes: 2017 Co-op ADV 1.1; ~1991 Novara Arriba; 1990 Fuji Palisade; mid-90's Moots Tandem; 1985 Performance Superbe

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 385 Post(s)
Liked 562 Times in 328 Posts


Ugly pannier is primary deterrent.
Originally Posted by acidfast7
I guess what I don't understand is how does one lock a pannier when going inside? Rather than losing a hand to carrp somewhere or emptying something out and carrying a bunch of lose stuff.
I'm fortunate to work in low-crime area. One of my office destinations has a locked cage for bike parking and at the other office the rack is in a high-traffic area. I don't keep anything in it other than tube, multi tool, and bungee cords/nets.

Lock is obviously not much of a deterrent:
flangehead is offline  
Old 04-30-19, 10:32 PM
  #42  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,830

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4745 Post(s)
Liked 3,861 Times in 2,510 Posts
I commuted for years with the small front Ortleib panniers on LowRiders. (Climbing hills on fix gear with weight over the rear wheels sucks.)

Once a week, I brought in clothes for the week and brought home last week's. I would shop on the way home. (Really easy. Bring in the panniers and put them in the shopping cart. Have the cashier put my food back in the cart. Then I'd load the bags as I wanted, ride home, carry the bags into the kitchen and unload.).

I love that those panniers are really waterproof. Everything stays dry. Or, on farmer's market runs, I can roll them closed at 11 am and when I get home at 2:30 on a summer's day, my greens are still fresh. (And any produce residue wipes off and dries really easily. Major mess? They clean up like a dish.

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Old 05-01-19, 06:29 AM
  #43  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by flangehead


Ugly pannier is primary deterrent.


I'm fortunate to work in low-crime area. One of my office destinations has a locked cage for bike parking and at the other office the rack is in a high-traffic area. I don't keep anything in it other than tube, multi tool, and bungee cords/nets.

Lock is obviously not much of a deterrent:
I guess what I'm saying is that I stop at different places for different food.

I buy fresh fruit/veg here because they have the best in town:

https://www.google.com/maps/@50.7921...7i16384!8i8192

Hop over to LIDL for German week food:

https://www.google.com/maps/@50.7950...7i16384!8i8192

To TESCO for a few main items:

https://www.google.com/maps/@50.7958...7i16384!8i8192

and grab a cheeky 1/3 pint here from a place that opened last week:

https://www.google.com/maps/@50.7911...7i16384!8i8192

along with some meat from a proper butcher that can do German cuts:

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en...px8wCnoECA8QCw

That's a pretty standard evening commute home with 3-5 stops.

Do I take the panniers/goods inside every time? That makes no sense and why a backpack is best! Maybe you guys only stop zero/once or don't live in an urban area with many options?
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 05-01-19, 07:25 AM
  #44  
madpogue 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,728 Times in 1,180 Posts
I think I'd rather hook/unhook a pannier that many times, rather than pull a backpack on/off my back that many times. Maybe it's a muscle memory thing, what your body gets used to. I've been using a pannier to commute for decades, now it's just second nature.
Dude I work with bike-commutes, but like me, takes the bus on certain weather days. On those days, he uses a messenger bag. He can't stand backpacks. I'm just the opposite. It's definitely based on what we grew up with.
madpogue is offline  
Old 05-01-19, 08:09 AM
  #45  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by madpogue
I think I'd rather hook/unhook a pannier that many times, rather than pull a backpack on/off my back that many times. Maybe it's a muscle memory thing, what your body gets used to. I've been using a pannier to commute for decades, now it's just second nature.
Dude I work with bike-commutes, but like me, takes the bus on certain weather days. On those days, he uses a messenger bag. He can't stand backpacks. I'm just the opposite. It's definitely based on what we grew up with.
Pannier loses a hand usage to carry. Bad on the subway, bus, plane, hovercraft. Bad to carry around while shopping.

Messenger is OK as hands stay free.

Backpack rules as nothing needs to be done. Off the bike and pushing a pram through a door with no effort. Sure I have to load it just like panniers bad after loading it's hands-free unlike panniers.

Last edited by acidfast7; 05-01-19 at 08:18 AM.
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 05-01-19, 10:07 AM
  #46  
madpogue 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,728 Times in 1,180 Posts
Most of my panniers have D-rings for a shoulder strap. The exception is the Bikase, but with that I can clip one backpack strap to the opposite-side bottom clip, and it becomes a sling (akin to a camera sling bag).

But once again, it's muscle memory. If you've grown up riding with weight on your back, it's second nature. If you've ridden your whole adult life with the weight behind you and down low, that's what's second nature and having weight on your back is not.

I still don't "get" using a messenger, however, as that's weight that can shift too easily.
madpogue is offline  
Old 05-01-19, 11:25 AM
  #47  
Skipjacks
Senior Member
 
Skipjacks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115

Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite

Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times in 155 Posts
Originally Posted by madpogue
Most of my panniers have D-rings for a shoulder strap.
Right?

Turns them into an easily carried bag in seconds.

This might be too complex for some people.
Skipjacks is offline  
Old 05-01-19, 09:08 PM
  #48  
ascherer 
Senior Member
 
ascherer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,767

Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1

Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 931 Post(s)
Liked 2,842 Times in 963 Posts
I wear office clothes for a 4.5 mile urban commute on a vintage 3-speed. The bags are Linus rollup canvas. They snap on and off the rack easily and go in the office with me, has a shoulder strap and a nice leather handle. One side carries my U lock and cable and stretch cords/straps, and when the bike is locked my helmet goes in that side. I have a small shoulder bag that slides into the other side that has my work electronics, an insulated Kleen Kanteen of coffee in a side sleeve and my breakfast container plus various bag junk. Great to have the panniers so I can easily stop and do an errand if necessary on the way home. Reposting this pic I took coming home last week.



Yes, the seatpost is unusual - it's a BMX layback post, gives a tall guy more reach.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport






Last edited by ascherer; 05-01-19 at 09:13 PM.
ascherer is offline  
Old 05-02-19, 12:11 AM
  #49  
Bike Gremlin
Mostly harmless ™
 
Bike Gremlin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,424

Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1105 Post(s)
Liked 213 Times in 127 Posts
I like both the backpack and the panniers.
Both are put on the rear rack, so my back doesn't sweat and carry the weight. Well, except for shorter rides/errands - I keep the backpack on my back for those, as there's not a second "lost" in taking it off the bike.

Backpack is my first option - using panniers when I need more luggage space, or when there's a heavy rain forecast. I find the backpack more convenient for every day use.

With panniers: Ortlieb, hands down. Waterproof - like, really waterproof. The clothes and stuff stay dry, whatever the weather. Not having to put clothes in waterproof bags, check if they are nicely enclosed, dry the bags afterwards...
Another thing I like are the straps for easy, hands-free carrying the panniers. Plus they are easily put on/off a rack within seconds and you can carry just one. This can be a downside if you plan on leaving the panniers on the bike when parking it.

Almost ten years now with the Ortliebs, still haven't been worn/cut (knock on wood).
Bike Gremlin is offline  
Old 05-02-19, 06:18 AM
  #50  
alloo
Full Member
 
alloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 490

Bikes: 2022 Priority Coast, 2022 Priority Current

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times in 99 Posts
I like these SEYMOUR OCEANWEAVE TRUNK EXP15+
alloo is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.