Panniers vs. Backpack for commute

[KnottedYet]

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

[Trek420]

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

Oh heck, my review here:

http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com...-in-every.html

[jordanpattern]

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

[Bike Chick]

Heck, I ordered a pair!

[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) and then several types of panniers or bags 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!