Panniers vs. Backpack for commute

[jordanpattern]

I ride about 3 - 3.5 miles to work, which isn't much, but I live in San Francisco, so there are hills, and I deal with fairly heavy traffic many days, so that short ride can feel longer. I also have to carry up to 20 pounds (occasionally more) to work and back, which is over 15% of my body weight.

Currently, I have a nice big messenger backpack, which I really love, but it does make me feel like I have less maneuverability, and my ability to stand up for hills or starts is diminished. It can also be really tiring.

I'm wondering if panniers might be a better fit for me. Typically, I have to carry my laptop, several files, and often some books (I work as a legal researcher, so think gigantic law books). I have looked at some panniers that look all right, but I don't want to spend the money if they won't be much of an improvement, so I am curious what you all think. Will 20 pounds in panniers be easier to deal with than 20 pounds on my back?

Thank you!

[7rider]

I ride about 3 - 3.5 miles to work, which isn't much, but I live in San Francisco, so there are hills, and I deal with fairly heavy traffic many days, so that short ride can feel longer.

<snip>

Will 20 pounds in panniers be easier to deal with than 20 pounds on my back?

Thank you!

If you intend to use your back (and your neck) in the future....I'd say, yeah - 20 pounds on the pannier would be a whole lot better than on the back. That's a lot of weight. The Arkel commuter bag (http://www.arkel-od.com/us/commuting-bike-bag.html) has a laptop sleeve, and can carry a boatload of other stuff along with it. Clicks on and off a rack wicked easy, and you can cover the hooks and - viola - an incognito pannier disguised cleverly as a carry all tote.

[tulip]

I use the Arkel laptop pannier, and I think it's great. I don't like having anything on my back. I'd rather have the bike carry the weight. Plus, when the weight is in panniers, the center of gravity is lower, which is much better in terms of maneuverability.

[Melalvai]

When I first started biking I used a backpack and I got some actual upper body strength from it. But that went away when I got a rack & pannier!

[HillSlugger]

I use the Arkel laptop pannier, and I think it's great. I don't like having anything on my back. I'd rather have the bike carry the weight. Plus, when the weight is in panniers, the center of gravity is lower, which is much better in terms of maneuverability.

+1

I felt way too top heavy when I tried riding with a packpack

[KnottedYet]

Consider Wald folding pannier baskets. They are pretty inexpensive (about $35-40 for a pair at the LBS), no-one wants to steal them, they are firmly attached, they hold a ton, they are always on your bike so you are always ready to carry stuff.

And made in the USA.

Trek420 does her SF commuting and shopping using Wald baskets.

You can throw your beloved backpack into one of the baskets (left side, to make you wider to cars) on a light day, toss books into a shopping bag and into the other basket on a heavy day. And yes, there is no problem at all using only one basket on one side, you will not be off balance. There are bungee nets (about $6) to hold awkward loads in the baskets.

http://waldsports.com/index.cfm/wald582rearfoldingbasket.html

You can hang lights and reflectors off the wire mesh. They are unobtrusive when folded flat. They don't rattle (and if you find a rattle, fix it with a layer of electrical tape).

If it rains you put your stuff in a plastic bag before loading it into the basket, or if you want to be extra guaranteed dry, use a rafter's dry-bag. A dry-bag is much cheaper than something like an Ortleib waterproof pannier.

[silentlysailing]

I went for panniers, My only thing is that with the panniers it shifted the balance point on my bike rearward so I've slid out the front tire a couple of times and fallen. So either way there are downfalls from my experience. I still use the panniers though as it's far more comfortable, and got some grippier treaded tires to help compensate.

[Becky]

Panniers, definitely!

[Bike Chick]

I've switched to panniers. My area of the country is very humid in the summer and the backpack is miserably hot. Panniers alleviated that issue and are much easier on my neck and back.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on panniers. You want your center of gravity as low as possible. 20# on your back is more than enough to affect your handling.

I've ridden a short, flat couple of miles a few times with a 3 gallon water jug (~25#) in a backpack, and it was tough to get started from a stop (175 mm crankarms on my commuter didn't help that a bit). I definitely wouldn't want to do it in traffic.

[badgercat]

My boyfriend and I really dig our folding Wald baskets (the same ones KnottedYet referenced above). I've had them on my commuter bike for a couple years now (he for about 6 months) for our ~3 mile commute to campus and just generally getting around town. I love that I can toss any bag(s) I want in them depending on my needs for that day: backpack, messenger bag, tote bag, lunch bag. They're also great for grocery shopping, since the "standard" reusable cloth grocery tote fits in there perfectly.

Of course, they add some weight to your bike that is not as easy to remove as clip-on panniers, but for me personally, it's a small price to pay for the versatility.

[Biciclista]

I used a backpack for my first 2 years commuting. It affects your balance, you sweat under it, and you are limited as to what you can carry.
I now have Ortlieb panniers, and i can set things in them ( liquids, for example) and when i get to my destination, they're right where I put them. I can balance my two panniers on my bike so that it doesn't affect my balance at all. And i don't get that sweaty back or sudden shifts in movement like i used to get from my backpack.

[jordanpattern]

Thank you for the replies!

I guess it should seem obvious, but until I read some of the responses to my questions, I really wasn't sure switching to panniers would be very helpful. Now that I've read what you've had to say, it seems pretty obvious that I should get some panniers for my commute.

[KnottedYet]

Get the Wald baskets... seriously, they are incredibly versatile!

and cheap!

and made in the USA!

[Tri Girl]

Get the Wald baskets... seriously, they are incredibly versatile!

and cheap!

and made in the USA!

and nearly thief-proof!

[KnottedYet]

There you go, 3 votes for the Wald pannier baskets... See, we did your shopping for you! :D

[Trek420]

Make that 4 votes (unless I already voted? ;)). Nope, 4 votes.

Oh heck, my review here:

http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/06/rack-on-every-bike-for-chicken-in-every.html

[jordanpattern]

All right - I'm going to look into those baskets! Thanks again, everyone!

[Bike Chick]

Heck, I ordered a pair!:D

[badgercat]

Wow, I guess we are a convincing bunch... go Team Wald! ;)

[Atlas]

I use a messenger bag but now I'm considering Wald racks for one of my bikes. Geez you guys are good at convincing me to buy things. For what you're doing panniers are definitely the way to go.

(psst, hi from a fellow ppker)

[7rider]

I'm not convinced. ((shrug))

I've heard from others that they're loud and rattley on the bike. I'd rather stick with a rack and a bag I can snap on and snap off easily.

[KathiCville]

What do riders think about the possibility of using a trunk bag (Arkel? Topeak?) instead of a backpack? Or maybe a combo of panniers and trunk bag?

Does shifting a bit of the weight from a panniers-only set-up to panniers-and-trunk-bag either help or hinder maneuverability? Or would the change be minimal?

[badgercat]

I'm not convinced. ((shrug))

I've heard from others that they're loud and rattley on the bike. I'd rather stick with a rack and a bag I can snap on and snap off easily.

Of course they're not silent when "deployed" (though they are nearly so when folded up or fully loaded), but I just consider it part of the charm. ;) I don't find a little rattle annoying at all. However, if that does bother you, or for example you have a particularly long commute where a little extra weight makes a big difference, I would agree that panniers would make more sense.

In my case, basically all of my trips on my commuter are under 10 miles (and the vast majority of those under 5 miles). My needs for those trips vary greatly. For me, it doesn't make sense to tie myself down "specialized" (and expensive) bags that I would always need to carry with me at my destination for fear of theft.

To each her own. :) I hope the OP finds a solution she loves, whatever that may be!

[withm]

What do riders think about the possibility of using a trunk bag (Arkel? Topeak?) instead of a backpack? Or maybe a combo of panniers and trunk bag?

Does shifting a bit of the weight from a panniers-only set-up to panniers-and-trunk-bag either help or hinder maneuverability? Or would the change be minimal?

I love, love, love, my Arkel trunk bag and it is always on my bike. It's expandable, but it's really not big enough by itself for commuting. Assuming a change of clothes, shoes, purse type items, lunch, and work related items you really need a pannier, or maybe a set if you are hauling a lap top too.

For commuting I've used a single small pannier (Arkel T-28?) with the Arkel trunk bag. I've never noticed any change in maneuverabiltiy with work stuff, but if I have both panniers fully loaded with groceries or unevenly loaded with lots of heavy stuff you do have to be a little more careful.

[7rider]

To each her own. :) I hope the OP finds a solution she loves, whatever that may be!

Absolutely. I've gone through about 4 different types of carting my stuff around since I started commuting (including starting out with a backpack (http://www.rei.com/product/687851)) and then several types of panniers (http://www.rei.com/product/604989) or bags (http://www.rei.com/product/783859)before I settled on what I currently use.

Who knows? Maybe at some point in the near future, I'll find some other "gotta have" that will be way better than what I currently have, and I'll move on yet again.

[Jolt]

Another solution is to have a rear rack and then attach a plastic crate to the rack...you can then just throw everything in and use a couple of bungee cords to tie things down. Looks a little goofy but it works.

[Geonz]

Oh, *do* free your back. It will bother you at first 'cause you'll think you forgot something ;)
And panniers, schmanniers. Get an Xtracycle so you can carry everything :P

[Trek420]

Of course they're not silent when "deployed" (though they are nearly so when folded up or fully loaded), but I just consider it part of the charm. ;)

Just did a test ride to the farm market while paying extra attention to the rattle. Wald baskets were pretty quiet. I stopped, deployed them (still empty) and they did rattle a bit 'cross potholes, rail road tracks. Normally I'd avoid both but was trying to see what it takes to make them rattle. The rest of the short ride, pretty quiet.

With $20 worth of local organic produce, 2 bike locks, small repair kit on the way back they were quiet over nearly everything. :) Ah, the things we do for TE ;)

[jordanpattern]

I actually found some cheap-ish panniers, so I may buy those for the commute, and get some baskets for groceries and other hauling.

Also, as an aside, Trek420, you're in SF? Me too!

[KnottedYet]

I actually found some cheap-ish panniers, so I may buy those for the commute, and get some baskets for groceries and other hauling.


You can't switch back and forth between panniers and the baskets. The baskets bolt onto your rack frame (which is why they are so rarely stolen). There are some metal tabs that you will bend to fit. Once you get them on, those puppies are staying on.

Now, if you have a second bike that you want to set up as a hauler, the baskets could just stay on that bike.

Or you could do like Geonz suggested, and set it up with an Xtracycle and make it a dedicated super-hauler. http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-bicycles/freeradical-cargo-bicycle.html

[Trek420]

Good reason to get another bike :D one for each hauling method ;)

[jordanpattern]

Oh, I see! I figured the baskets were fairly easily removable. In that case, I definitely need panniers, since I have neither the space nor money at the moment for multiple bikes! (My apartment is 300 square feet!)

[moderncyclista]

I vote "panniers" all the way.

Messenger bags and back packs are okay, but "sweaty-back" in the 3 seasons out of the year sucks.

Saying no, to back-pain - I went with panniers and never regretted it.

Some small rides I still break out my Chrome bag for.
(there's my two-cents worth ;) )

[badger]

it's been a months-long process but Ifinally bought an ortlieb city shopper pannier today at REI using their 20% off discount and my dividend. Ortliebs are so expensive and never on sale, so I figured there'll be no better opportunity to buy one.

Several months ago I bought a pair of cheap-ish panniers from our REI equivalent, but the bags are small, and I hated the idea of carrying two bags. So, I carried on using my backpack.

I probably should've looked into the basket option, but I would still need to have invested in a waterproof bag as it rains so darn much here.

[Trek420]

I probably should've looked into the basket option, but I would still need to have invested in a waterproof bag as it rains so darn much here.

I saw a rider with something like this in the Wald basket. Waterproof and a backpack. But you can always get another bike :p

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4690,2066P_Pacific-Outdoor-Equipment-Juneau-Vertical-Dry-Bag.html

[badger]

I saw a rider with something like this in the Wald basket. Waterproof and a backpack. But you can always get another bike :p

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4690,2066P_Pacific-Outdoor-Equipment-Juneau-Vertical-Dry-Bag.html


yes, that is a fine option!! :D

[Trek420]

yes, that is a fine option!! :D

The waterproof bag, getting another bike, or both? :p

[Velocivixen]

I use the Arkel "Bug" which is a pannier that converts into a backpack.

[jordanpattern]

I got some panniers!

I was visiting my family in Canada, where I had a chance to hit up Mountain Equipment Coop. I scored some of MEC's in-house line panniers for cheap, and I'll be trying them out soon!

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617970&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397

[amandar]

One vote for saddlebags, although with a laptop you will have to get the largest carradice.
I use an Acorn med/large saddlebag, and it is awesome. All I need to carry is a shirt, pants, wallet, keys and tools though. I can also lash a jacket to the outside. If you're a minimalist it's plenty big.
The only problem is where to put my shoes. I currently wear my shoes (chromes) when commuting. One of these days I'm switching back to clipless, and then I'll have to leave a pair of shoes at work.
My bike comes into my workplace with me, so theft is not an issue. If it was I'd remove the seatpost and bring the whole thing in.
Carradice bags are huge, I can fit shoes, pants, jacket, food, tools, etc. with room to spare into a long flap.

[badger]

I got some panniers!

I was visiting my family in Canada, where I had a chance to hit up Mountain Equipment Coop. I scored some of MEC's in-house line panniers for cheap, and I'll be trying them out soon!

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617970&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397

how do you like it/them? I had a pair of those and returned them because they were a bit on the small side, and I really didn't want to carry 2 bags. Not to mention them not being waterproof (it rains a lot here).


I finally got my courage to put the Ortlieb Bike Shopper (http://www.rei.com/product/737830/ortlieb-bike-shopper-single-pannier) bag and LOVE it!! I stuff so much in it (lunch in heavy glass containers, clothes, books, groceries) and aside from feeling just a little bit unstable at times, it's been great not having anything on my back anymore.　Ortlieb really is the leader in panniers, so easy to put on, take off, and the fact it's waterproof is a godsend.