Messenger Bag vs Rucksack

Gussio

I use a 25lt KIMMlite rucksack for carrying clothes, laptop, etc. on my daily commute. It works brilliantly, with the load nicely spread across both shoulders and the rest of my back. It never moves and doesn't interfer with the back of my helmet. I've never tried a messenger bag which, although they look very cool, don't appear all that comfy or stable. If you opt for a messenger bag over a rucksack (or panniers for that matter), what causes you to make this choice?

Eat My Dust

I used a rucksack for years, but on increasing my milage from 5 miles to 13 miles each way, I noticed the rucksack was giving me a sore bag. I bought a crumpler fux deluxe and I can cycle for hours without it hurting my back. If you get a courier bag, make sure it's one with the support strap, or it will slide all over the place!!

DavidTQ

I went for panniers just because I was fed up of getting a sweaty back on the commute, and to allow a bit more storeage space.

Since fitting them Ive discovered they have a magic car repelling power, cars give me a literal 2 foot more space since Ive fitted them, it seems that it makes the bike look wider having the panniers on even though in fact the widest point is still the rider...

I would seriously recommend panniers just for the extra space you get given on the road , but then I think Im good enough looking to make up for geeky bike accessories

John Stevenson

Messenger bag is great for short trips because you can get in and out of it easily, but I commute (30km) in an Ultimate Direction rucksack that sits low on my back.

I want a Wingnut next!

BentMikey

I use a Carradice longflap camper saddlebag, it's big and it keeps the weight off me and on the bike. For my commute, 30mile round trip, I'd hate to have to carry stuff on my back, though a backpack is great for short trips to the shops.

Big Red S

I've used my timbuk for about three years now. Bought it when I went to uni because it was the only bag I could find that would comfortably hold A4 papers and folders along with the rest of my crap, and that I could persuade an A3 folder into.

It's also more waterproof than any rucksack I've come across, and at least as comfortable. So long as you wear it so it's strapped to your back, rather than hanging off it, it seems fine.

AndyGates

Same sort of thing here: for general commutes I use a rucksack; when I'm popping in and out of the shops or there's a heinous deluge on the way, I'll use my messenger bag as it's more waterproof.

Used to be a big panniers / rack-pack fan until I got too many bikes to rack 'em all up.

Tynancp

what's wrong with racks?

streamlined and holds stacks and tight too with the correctly applied ancient bungy

Mister Paul

Panniers make the bike too heavy and so less agile.

A courier bag doesn't have to be unclipped from your bike every time you get off, is very easy and quick to get into, and has cavernous storage.

And if you can get a Crumpler from TK Maxx for £13 like I was able to then you're laughing.

Hairy Jock

Karimor panniers, oops wrong thread :oops:

Clefty

I can't get on with rucksacks, hate the sweaty back thing.
I've been using a Crumpler Donny Frank for a couple of years now and its great, no sweaty back, good stabilizer strap and i can get loads in it if I need to

I don't like the idea of Panniers, cos they're behind my line of vision and I would be concious of clipping something (or something clipping me) in London traffic.

Have just bought a bar bag that seems a decent size, and am just waiting for the oversize handlebar brackets to turn up, so might switch to that, as its nice not to carry anything on my back, especially for long rides.
My 10 mile commute is fine, but I got a bit of backache when i carried it on the London to Brighton.

Big Red S

Hm, I don't find my Timbuk gives me less of a sweaty back than a rucksack. It's just in a different place/at a different orientation.

Or maybe it's just that I only ever carry much in the Timbuk...

notanotherusername

There is no practical reason why I use a courier bag instead of panniers

My head tells me I really ought to be using a bike with a carrier and panniers, letting the bike take the strain and avoiding me getting a sweaty back. But my heart tells me it is much fun to ride around as a wannabe courier, with my Crumpler bag (which my company paid for to carry my laptop in).

The deep irony is that I tend to dislike the antics of many actual couriers and I would not want to be mistaken as one.

:oops:

Stephen

deadpet

I've got a Timbuk2 rucksack...

I've had it a year now and with no real complaints. It sits relatively low so no helmet problems and is incredibly waterproof...which has been a good thing this year. It also holds a week's worth of clothing. It could do with some extra 'outside' pockets for quick access to small things like keys and passes etc.
However, having also used a courier bag, I believe that the only way to avoid sweaty back syndrom is to carry your luggage on the bike.

With this in mind I'm thinking of investing in a single pannier and rack setup for commuting duties

graham_g

For me - courier bags hold far more, more comfortably than a rucksack. As far as panniers go, I hate weight on the bike - fine if you live somewhere flat but if you're honking up hills then they annoy me; used them for about 6 months before giving up.

pw1brown

Courier bags are what they say they are - best for people who have to get off and on the bike frequently, delivering letters and parcels. Their advantage over rucksacks is that you can take things out of them as you ride, like to check the address on a parcel.

I favour panniers or rack-top bags myself, but then I don't get off the bike if I can help it.

graham_g

That's another good reason - I do a fair bit of that including getting hi-viz and security pass out to enter our car park, stopping off at the shop on the way home, taking photos on site visits for work etc. etc. Horses for courses.

cupofteacp

If you take pictures etc, you could try a lowepro Slingshot?

graham_g

It generally involved a clipboard, maps, drawings (I try and avoid anything more than A3!) and my sandwiches though!

blorg

Graham G wrote:

For me - courier bags hold far more, more comfortably than a rucksack. As far as panniers go, I hate weight on the bike - fine if you live somewhere flat but if you're honking up hills then they annoy me; used them for about 6 months before giving up.

Does it make any difference whether the weight is on the bike or yourself? Personally I generally just strap a bag onto my rack, only use panniers for long tours. On my road bike I would favour a rucksack, but having had limited experience carrying heavy loads this way (20kg+) it is not pleasant, mainly from a saddle-arse interface point of view.

2muchCake

I used to used rucksacs but I'm a convert to courier bags now. Hold more stuff, more comfortably and with better water resistance.

Go for a decent one though. I've got a Crumpler Fux Deluxe and I love it!

tiny_pens

I also prefer courier style bags. I find I don't get so hot and sweaty and in comparison to my previous rucksack (one of the air flow ones) I prefered the fact that the weight is a little lower down. I have tried racks but I didn't like the way the bike felt. I found the bike felt top heavy round town when you tipped the frame - particularly at slow speeds or when stopping and starting (or trackstands for that matter). That said if I was commuting more than 45mins then I'd probably go for racks.

That said in the summer I can squeeze most of my stuff into a saddle wedge. No bags at all is even easier :-)

Tiny Pens