Backpack or Pannier?

[gavinr]

I recently moved from a backpack to a pannier. Nicer on my creaky old backbone.
But now when I ride off I have that nagging feeling that I've forgotten something. That feeling you get when your wallet isn't in your pocket.

I really noticed the difference when I made the same move. Felt as though I was a ton lighter and going like the wind.

Sadly my travel time didn't change by even a minute or two.

[webman]

I recently moved from a backpack to a pannier. Nicer on my creaky old backbone.

Sadly my travel time didn't change by even a minute or two.

It makes a big difference if you leave the pannier and all the stuff at home though Amazing how much quicker and easier the ride is

[jaykay]

Hey all,

I am now car-less and my road bike is my main means of transport until I built up a daily commuter and I don’t think panniers will work with a carbon semi compact: D, so I am looking for backpack options. Could anyone recommend a backpack that is smallish (fits a change of clothes), slightly aero (don’t know if this is possible) and fits nice and snug against the back.

Sorry to highjack this thread but I didn’t want to start another, when there seems to be a few backpack users here.

Cheers
James

[Mulger bill]

Crumpler or Deuter should fit your needs James.

My non commute backpack is a ~15yo Tioga.

Shaun

[jaykay]

Crumpler or Deuter should fit your needs James.

My non commute backpack is a ~15yo Tioga.

Shaun

thanks Shaun I will check them out.

[greasefinger]

Backpacks for maneuverability, like a few have said they can get hot.. but you can get hotter lugging around a load on your forks and rear... trying to get to speed... Most of the time I just need to carry a jacket and a few extra's, so I chuck everything it the makeshift hammock of clothing and wrap it around my top tube if it's light travel, but sometimes I've got 10 kilograms worth of books on my back, I've tried racks and god... even baskets. You just can't do that to yourself..... it makes riding horrible, so it goes on the back, if it's light load and in a hurry it's good to fit it onto the chest and get the heat off your back on the go, makes a big difference right at the halfway of a ride.

[jaykay]

Got a backpack on the weekend and did a 100km loop in two parts - not too bad, but it did get pretty hot, maybe I should keep the backpack for shorter rides

[Thoglette]

Could anyone recommend a backpack that is smallish (fits a change of clothes), slightly aero (don’t know if this is possible) and fits nice and snug against the back.

Deuter 28L cyclist - spaces the pack off your back, big enough for an A4 folder (just) and shirt in the top, food and shoes in the lower. Built in rain cover. May have been superceded by something else.

Just added a Topeak supertourist rack and Deuter panniers. Interesting contrast - much more pleasant than backpack on road. Makes the bike feel much heavier at a standstill. And panniers need to be secured - limestone track can shake them loose!

[ColinOldnCranky]

Panier in the old days when I studied. Now backpack.

On the giraffe I usually use a bumbag 'cos it's convenient to find stuff without dismounting and rummaging in the backpack.

[jaykay]

I ended up getting a pretty standard backpack from a camping shop, it does the job but I am pretty determined not to ride with it again as I did not enjoy riding with it at all. Should have done some more searching for a more suitable backpack me thinks.

[cinnyis]

I only started commuting this year after buying an entry level Hybrid in December. On my first ride (a test ride to work to time the trip) I took a backpack weighing no more than 1kg. My back was killing me, which was a concern seeing as I need to take my laptop to and from work each day.... I rode home via the bike shop and had a rack fitted and bought a laptop bag with the clips to clip onto the racks and haven't looked back.
I've had no dramas with this system yet, but I do worry that the clips will break off one day seeing as they are only plastic and are holding quite a bit of weight. Has this happened do anyone before?

After reading through this thread I saw someone mention those "Wald" rear foldable grocery baskets. What a brilliant idea! I'm going to look into getting one of those for the days I want to ride the bike to the supermarket. I find the laptop bag isn't great for groceries, plus I don't really want to break it by overloading it with heavy stuff.