backpacks or luggage racks?

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Comments

  • Swannie
    Swannie Posts: 107
    Must have had about 12kg on my rack this morning. Mostly quite bulky stuff.

    No way would it have fitted on my back, yet I still managed an average speed in line with an unloaded ride over the same route. It slowed me down a bit on the uphills, but meant I kept momentum for the downs longer. There is no way I can believe that is true if I had that on my back, making my shoulders, etc. work, and compressing my ribs.

    Rack for anything bigger than a pair of shoes (or there about). I have seen some nice sized post bags, and the Carradice ones do look nice. Maybe experiment with that in the future.
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    Gambatte wrote:
    Attica wrote:
    Mine is about 8 Litres, can't find a like for like replacement at the moment, but this is about as close as I can find (BTW the URL made me chuckle)

    Wouldn't buy from Aktive8 again. My last purchase was incorrectly described. They didn't pick up the phone and didn't respond to emails - even the one quoting the trading standards response to my enquiry. Months later the online description was still incorrect.

    Ouch

    This isn't filling me with confidence.
    I ordered this on 11th April, got a reply saying that the colour I was after was out of stock, would I like a different colour?
    Replied yes
    Got an e-mail saying it would be despatched on April 17th
    E-mailed on 24th saying where is it
    reply came that "Hydr8 6 is sold out in all colours until the beginning of May"

    Gonna give them til Wednesday (seeing as it's a bank holiday weekend) then start pestering again.

    Now you've got me wondering if I'l ever see this.
    Fortunately I researched the product carefully so I think i know what I'm getting, if it ever turns up!
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • Crapaud
    Crapaud Posts: 2,483
    Attica wrote:
    Ouch

    This isn't filling me with confidence.
    I ordered this on 11th April, got a reply saying that the colour I was after was out of stock, would I like a different colour?
    Replied yes
    Got an e-mail saying it would be despatched on April 17th
    E-mailed on 24th saying where is it
    reply came that "Hydr8 6 is sold out in all colours until the beginning of May"

    Gonna give them til Wednesday (seeing as it's a bank holiday weekend) then start pestering again.

    Now you've got me wondering if I'l ever see this.
    Fortunately I researched the product carefully so I think i know what I'm getting, if it ever turns up!
    I'd be checking to find out if anyone else has it and then canceling the order and asking for a refund if it's available elsewhere.

    I hate sloppy service.
    A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject - Churchill
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Swannie wrote:
    Must have had about 12kg on my rack this morning. Mostly quite bulky stuff.

    No way would it have fitted on my back, yet I still managed an average speed in line with an unloaded ride over the same route. It slowed me down a bit on the uphills, but meant I kept momentum for the downs longer. There is no way I can believe that is true if I had that on my back, making my shoulders, etc. work, and compressing my ribs.

    Rack for anything bigger than a pair of shoes (or there about). I have seen some nice sized post bags, and the Carradice ones do look nice. Maybe experiment with that in the future.

    Curiously enough, I read an article today about an invention in the fascinating field of back pack engineering. Medical studies have demonstrated that more than about 10kg "can lead to musculoskeletal disorders" (which means absolutely nothing, becuase so can one's trusty optical mouse, if used incorrectly, but I digress).

    Some school kids in Nova Scotia have come up with the idea of suspending heavy objects in smaller bags from bungees within the back pack to smooth out bumps.

    They are getting quite excited about this innovation in Nova Scotia.
  • Swannie
    Swannie Posts: 107
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Curiously enough, I read an article today about an invention in the fascinating field of back pack engineering. Medical studies have demonstrated that more than about 10kg "can lead to musculoskeletal disorders" (which means absolutely nothing, becuase so can one's trusty optical mouse, if used incorrectly, but I digress).

    Some school kids in Nova Scotia have come up with the idea of suspending heavy objects in smaller bags from bungees within the back pack to smooth out bumps.

    They are getting quite excited about this innovation in Nova Scotia.

    *snigger*

    Well, I'm no stranger to carrying heavy stuff on my back. Diving gear, with associated weight belt weighs a fair bit (out of the water). Still liking the idea of cycling to dive sites - would need to hire lead/tanks, but drysuit, etc. etc. is still all quite weighty.
  • alan_wasono
    alan_wasono Posts: 4
    I quite like my deuter race back pack, I can fit a 2 litres of water (very much a necessity), my clothes, snacks and tools. I get a sweaty back regardless of having a pack on or not. I'm quite lucky that I only have to carry underwear to work as they provide my uniform.
    I tried my fiance's hybrid with panniers and I just end up doing wheelies every pedal stroke on the uphill bits... fancy monoing all the way to work?
    <a><img></a>
  • dazzawazza
    dazzawazza Posts: 462
    My MTB commuter has a rack so I ride that with panniers for shopping trips or commute's that I'm carrying a lot of gear.
    However, most of the time I commute with very little so ride my Allez with a small backpack. Much nicer than the MTB for a 22 mile (total) commute.
    I once had the idea of installing a rack on the Allez, but like mud guards that would be heresy.
  • ThatGuyOnABike
    ThatGuyOnABike Posts: 198
    rack is best, i sweat way too much with a backpack. it isn't that hard to attach and detach stuff. ortlieb has a quick realease system on there solid suitcase/plastic box rack pack thingies.
    In the valley of high oil prices the cyclist is king!
  • A - W
    A - W Posts: 253
    Right then,

    New rack and panniers fitted. But how the heck do you stop your heels hitting the thing????


    AAAAAAAAAArrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

    Moved it back to give more room and it just didnt seem to fit well.
    Maybe take it back to the store and get advice?

    :?
    FCN 10
  • DavidTQ
    DavidTQ Posts: 943
    I think theres a couple of different "sizes" of racks, I found my LBS supplied one which didnt fit very well so I made up my own attachments. If I fitted it using the standard metal straps it leant towards the front too much and I hit it with my feet, extending the top mounts by 6" cured the problem completely, but im sure that there must be racks out there which fit properly out of the box...
  • A - W
    A - W Posts: 253
    Fingers crossed as if not I will be miffed.
    FCN 10
  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    I think some bike/rack/pannier combinations result in heel strike. This is why I went with a saddlebag on my langster since it doesn't have the longest chainstays.
  • A - W
    A - W Posts: 253
    Sorted it!

    On the inside face of the pannier bag there are numerous loops for the lower attachement to slot through to fix to the bike. I moved it across and tightened the slack up. The job is a good one. Took some shifting and the quick release takes effort now but my heels aren't striking it! Result.

    Anyway from a whole one journey using panniers I would recommend them. I felt so much more able to turn and observe my surroundings then with my back pack on. Fingers crossed as I am pretty chuffed. My wife says I look like Geography teacher now. :lol:
    FCN 10
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    I'm a back pack person :-)

    I think this is because I've always used a backpack when on my bike for carrying whatever I needed. This varied from just a clean shirt when I worked at the local PC World as I could leave everything else there right upto my full change of clothes now I've changed job and ride further.

    I do use one of the bags that has a hydration pack into, although I've been using it without the hydration bag in over winter as I wasn't needing to drink so much, now the warmer weather is back I think I'm gonna have to start using it again!

    The other more cosmetic reason is that I just couldn't bring myself to install a rack on my bike! If this makes me sound like a tart then I don't mind as I like the look of my bike as it is, heck I even find it difficult to fit mudgauards, despite the slender Race Blades I was looking at in Evan's yesterday! Once other nice thing about the backpack is the feeling I get when I'm out cycling without one on! As the builk of my cycling is done whilst commuting I always have a bag on and when I can go out without it on I feel much lighter, quicker and it's a lot more "airy"
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  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    Thought you might all like to see this.
    Consider it an "un-recommendation"
    Hi June

    Yes, please cancel this order.

    I'm extremely disappointed that you didn't anticipate this earlier as it's been on order for a month now.

    Regards

    Rob


    From: Aktive8.com
    Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 8:19 AM
    To: 'Rob'
    Subject: RE: order number *****with Aktive8.com


    Hi Rob,



    The item you have ordered is out of stock. It has been necessary to postpone the delivery from our supplier, while we locate to new premises. Please accept our apologies, but it will be the end of May before deliveries resume as normal.

    In light of this, if you would like to cancel your order, please email to let us know.



    June Sked

    Email: info@aktive8.com Order number *****













    Aktive8.com

    103 Lothian Road

    Edinburgh

    Scotland

    EH3 9AN



    T: 0871 231 8888

    E: info@aktive8.com

    W: www.aktive8.com






    Original Message
    From: Rob [mailto:*****armstrong@hotmail.com]
    Sent: 08 May 2008 16:05
    To: Aktive8.com
    Subject: Re: order number *****with Aktive8.com


    Hi There

    in an earlier e-mail you said "Please accept our apologies the Hydr8 6 is sold out in all colours until the beginning of May.
    Aktive8.com"

    Well it's rapidly approaching mid May now, do you have one of these in stock yet? Is it on it's way?

    Regards

    Rob




    From: Aktive8.com
    Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 12:05 PM
    To: 'Rob'
    Subject: RE: order number ***** with Aktive8.com


    1 KA022017 Hydr8 6 Elite Blue/Black £27.00 £27.00


    Original colour held for stock.
    Aktive8.com








    Aktive8.com

    103 Lothian Road

    Edinburgh

    Scotland

    EH3 9AN



    T: 0871 231 8888

    E: info@aktive8.com

    W: www.aktive8.com






    Original Message
    From: Rob [mailto:*****armstrong@hotmail.com]
    Sent: 24 April 2008 20:49
    To: Aktive8.com
    Subject: Re: order number ***** with Aktive8.com


    Thanks for the update.
    I trust you'll revert to my original colour choice and let me know when you are shipping for real this time.

    Regards

    Rob


    From: Aktive8.com
    Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 5:28 PM
    To: 'Rob'
    Subject: RE: order number ***** with Aktive8.com


    1 KA022017 Hydr8 6 Elite Blue/Black £27.00 £27.00

    Please accept our apologies the Hydr8 6 is sold out in all colours until the beginning of May.
    Aktive8.com









    Aktive8.com

    103 Lothian Road

    Edinburgh

    Scotland

    EH3 9AN



    T: 0871 231 8888

    E: info@aktive8.com

    W: www.aktive8.com






    Original Message
    From: Rob [mailto:*****armstrong@hotmail.com]
    Sent: 24 April 2008 12:00
    To: Aktive8.com
    Subject: Re: order number ***** with Aktive8.com


    Hi

    It's been a week now and I still haven't received my order.
    Could you chase this up please.

    Regards

    Rob


    From: Aktive8.com
    Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 4:50 PM
    To: 'Rob'
    Subject: RE: order number ***** with Aktive8.com


    Hi Robert,
    Order number ***** will be shipped in red/black on the 17th of April.#
    Aktive8.com










    Aktive8.com

    103 Lothian Road

    Edinburgh

    Scotland

    EH3 9AN



    T: 0871 231 8888

    E: info@aktive8.com

    W: www.aktive8.com






    Original Message
    From: Rob [mailto:*****armstrong@hotmail.com]
    Sent: 15 April 2008 13:54
    To: Aktive8.com
    Subject: Re: order number ***** with Aktive8.com


    Fire Red/Black would be fine

    Thankyou


    From: Aktive8.com
    Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:49 PM
    To: *****armstrong@hotmail.com
    Subject: order number *****with Aktive8.com


    KA022017 Hydr8 6 Elite Blue/Black £27.00 £27.00please note this is in stock in fire red/ black only.

    Please email inof@aktive8.com if you want the red to be shipped instead. Allow 3 weeks for the blue.
    Aktive8.com




    Aktive8.com

    103 Lothian Road

    Edinburgh

    Scotland

    EH3 9AN



    T: 0871 231 8888

    E: info@aktive8.com

    W: www.aktive8.com
    [/quote]
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • jcrofts
    jcrofts Posts: 34
    Hi,

    It seems that panniers might be a better option for me than a backpack... but I've a couple of questions/concerns. Can anybody help?

    First - I've an Iron Horse Transit 3.0 2007 with a set of SKS Raceblade mudguards. Am I likely to have any problems getting a rack to fit?

    Also, my commute takes me up over the M8 on pedestrian bridge (it's signposted as part of the cycle network). That involves going up a steep ramp. The first week I got off and walked up the ramp but for the last two weeks I've stayed on the bike and climbed it. Trouble is, there's a fairly big 'step' half-way up. 'Hopping' the front wheel over is fine, but the back wheel takes a bit of a crunch going over it. With the added weight of the pannier, is that going to be a very bad idea?

    Lastly, I'm more than willing to admit that I know nothing. Anybody know of any decent sites that give advice/info about all things pannier?

    Thanks :)
  • Brian224
    Brian224 Posts: 209
    I can't decide

    On my tourer I commute with a rack pack, but on the singlespeed a climbing pack. On the road the rack is much less sweaty, but the tourer is almost impossible to lift fully laden when I get to a narrow kissing gate at the half way point of my commute.

    I think that I prefer the rack on hot days, and the backpack the rest of the year.

    Brian
    To answer all the questions I might be willing to answer, 24 miles round trip, 3-5 days a week in a helmet, balance in a car, overweight, over 40 and over Bluebell Hill.

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