Quote Originally Posted by KathiCville View Post
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.