Rucksack v saddle bag v panniers

Alibran

Just wanted opinions on the pros and cons of different types of cycling luggage. I commute on a road bike and currently use a rucksack, but I'm considering moving the load onto the bike to improve my comfort. My rucksack has a capacity of up to 8litres, and I rarely fill it, but I wouldn't object to being able to carry more if I needed to.

I know this is all down to personal opinion, and everyone will say their prefered way of carrying stuff is the best, but what I really want to know is why you use that method, and what you think is good and bad about it.

Thanks in advance.

woodgob

I use a messenger bag - not sure what the litre-capacity is but it's enough to carry shirt, waterproof, sandwiches and a few bits n'bobs. It's fine for my short 3.5 mile commute and it's wide so I don't have to fold the shirt too small (meaning minimal creasing). But I definitely wouldn't use it for heavier loads over longer distance. I tried that and it was very uncomfortbale after a while. I'd switch back to my Vaude rucksack which is great as is cycling-specific, 20 litre capcaity and has a 'freeflow' (can't remember what Vaude call it) which keeps the main body away from my back. This disadvantage of this is that it's a teardrop shape so clothes need to be folded small to get in - and end up very creased at the other end of the journey. The other great thing about the messenger bag is that you don't have to take it off to get into it.....just swing it round.

jonginge

woodgob wrote:

I'd switch back to my Vaude rucksack which is great as is cycling-specific, 20 litre capcaity and has a 'freeflow' (can't remember what Vaude call it) which keeps the main body away from my back.

I have a Deuter bike 1 rucksack which has a similar system and is very effective at keeping the sweat levels down (11 mile commute)

woodgob wrote:

IThe other great thing about the messenger bag is that you don't have to take it off to get into it.....just swing it round.

Which is also the downpoint of messenger bags. I personally don't like the baggage to be lopsided across my back or move that much

steve_pushbiker

I carried a rucksack for a while. But switched to panniers. The bike feels a lot more sturdy with the weight closer to the ground (lower centre of gravity - I suppose).

daniel_b

I use a rackbag - this one: http://www.rutlandcycling.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2513/groupID/11/categoryID/173/v/ec5c67db-1c6d-4907-ae12-fbb397cc5e18


Nice and sturdy, and they do a non coolbag variant for a few quid less.

Room for my breakfast, lunch, fruit and snacks, plus a few other bits, but ample room, and it's expandable, so I've fitted some pretty big stuff in there before.

Nice and easy, just unstrap it, and carry it to my desk.

Dan

Lycra Man

Like Daniel B, I have a Creek 2 Peak rack bag. I can fit in fresh clothes for the office (shirt, pants, socks and tie) plus lunch plus waterproof in the main compartment, and the side compartments hold spare tube, tools, back -p light and batteries, etc.

Expandable top can accomodate loaf of bread and botle of wine on the way home!

I like to keep weight off my back for comfort and sweat reduction, and a lower centre of gravity.

It doesn't wobble about so always feels secure on the bike.

I have tried a rucksack, which was OK in the winter, but I wouldn't want to use one in the summer as I get hot enough as it is.

Lycra Man

JoeSoap76

I started with a rucksack and thought it was fine... until I hit a bump with a slight twist and really hurt my back.

Switched to panniers a couple of days later and the difference is staggering. I hadn't really given much thought to how much hotter it is to exercise whilst wearing a rucksack. Not wearing one was like a breath of fresh air - so much cooler. Also, my movement without a rucksack is far increased (which can only be a good thing when it comes to checking over shoulders for traffic, etc.). Mostly, though, you wouldn't believe how much better my back feels now it's not struggling under the load.

Panniers over rucksacks for me every time now.

AndyManc

Panniers are a god send ... they free you totally , rucksacks are a major pain ,restrictive and cause back problems .

Get a rear carrier and panniers and/or a 'ruckbag'.

Package

Panniers for me too. I used a rucksack a fair bit on my (very infrequent) 24m commute, and it really does take its toll. To be fair its not a good one and I debated investing in a Deuter (might still one day for short stuff), but use panniers now which I had anyway. The difference is incredible. No sweaty back, no achy back, you can get a rack with a panel on top that helps keep wet off your backside. I also find packing the thing out gives you a bit extra width, and you tend to get more room from drivers (up to a point of course) - I use Altura ones and often pull the waterproof cover out, which being yellow adds to visibility. Downside is perhaps being a bit less nippy in traffic.

AndyManc

Here's mine , DHB ,the pair bought from Wiggle for under £50 .

The only addition/change I now might make is invest in a stronger rear hub because of all the weight I carry in them, I wouldn't be without them now.

RufusA

I've tried rucksack and panniers, and had to go back to rucksack for a while whilst my pannier was in for repair.

I carry a laptop, cables/chargers, lights, change of clothes and general stuff in mine. So probably quite a weight to cart around.

For me neither is perfect, but panniers have the slight edge.

The rucksack is less hassle, just sling it on your back and forget about it. It seems to have more room / less bulk. Has useful pockets for holding water bottles / d-lock cable etc.

But it's heavy, gives me back ache, makes me sweat more, and having had an off with panniers I'd worry about how much more it would have hurt with a rucksack full of stuff!

Panniers are a slightly more hassle to fit. Are much harder to carry off the bike if you have a walking element to your journey. They also IMHO completely transform the handling of the bike in a bad way - going up hill seems much harder with panniers than a rucksack, and the backend feels lifeless and dead when ladened up! Also unless you are careful when wheeling the bike a pannier has a nasty habit of pulling the bike over.

Yet the pannier does seem to cause drivers to give you more room, feels safe, and is the best way of carrying weight for any length of time.

If I was to do it again I'd probably look at something like an Ortlieb Office Bag 2, where it's rack mounted, easier to carry and probably won't be so detremental to the feel of the bike.

Rufus.

Clever Pun

I use a courier bag it's comfy and I alternate the shoulders daily to avoid any problems, it's nice a roomy and wraps around the back nicely

Crumpler Bees Knees pro I think it's called, holds my towel, shirt, gym kit and waterproofs with loads of room to spare.

I ride in on my road bike there will be no racks on it.

When I used to commute with panniers on a hybrid it makes the bike feel very heavy and be careful cornering if you've only got one on (although it does cushion the fall ) but your body feels very light in comparison.

if you wear civies while cycling then put your gear on the bike if you're doing proper distance and get changed & showered then put it on your back. It also depends whether the bike will be used for anything else

jstutters

I got a Carradice Pendle saddlebag after a couple of months of sweaty backed rucksack use. It's big enough for a lock, work clothes, lunch and a bottle of water. I didn't want panniers because I wasn't keen on the idea of having a rack on the bike all the time. As an added bonus, it doubles up as a rear mudguard.



Sorry about the crappy photo.

mtbcommuter

I started with a ruck sack,but also sufferred the sweaty back syndrome,the wife bought me a Blackburn MTB rack which is really light yet sturdy enough,I initially used panniers but found I'd carry more stuff than I needed to fill them out.I've now got an Altura 8 ltr rack bag which has a top pocket I stuff the waterproof in,side pockets for tools & spare tube & a main pocket big enough for bait box,shirt & unmentionables if I haven't planned ahead well enough (I normally take car in once in a while with fresh shirts etc.) I also use an MTB bum bag for waterbladder,phone,wallet etc. Personally I find this combo works fine for me.

Mike400

Just thought I would bump this rather than start a new thread!

Same dilemma.....do I go for a rucksack or panniers?

I intend dropping all my work clothes into the office on a saturday when im passing in the car, so all ill need to carry will be clean keks/socks/lunch/phone/wallet/keys

tools will stay in my frame bag

Rucksack=simplest / cheapest option

Pannier = better weight distribution / less back sweat / less back pain

I have rear discs but I have seen some disc specific pannier racks

I do intend getting a child seat for occasional weekend use so there is the hassle of removing / refitting a rack

jedster

Given your bag should be light, I think a courier bag or rucsac would be best but panier might make more sense if you sweat a lot, push the pace or do a long distance.

I get pretty sweaty and carry tools/tubes/pump plus some work papers and occasionally a lap top. So I use a single panier (actually an Ortleib office bag which is a panier that is a bit more brief case shaped). Using a single panier does change the handling (particularly if it is heavily loaded) but it is something you get used to (my bike now feels a bit odd without a panier!).

BTW, I think some childseats fit to pretty standard racks - might mean you don't need to remove the rack? Also, I think some of the downtube fitting childseatsmay clear a rack.

J

R_T_A

Currently I use a 20ltr rucksack, and find that it does me for the 20 mile round trip.

I was looking at alternatives and came across the Knog's "rackless pannier", which you can turn into a backpack. Here's what it looks like on the bike:

http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=5693&xSec=4089&jssCart=48b06d1323ca0f8b88e26dbe1437e081

Knog do the "Neat Dog", "Boxer", and "Dutch Dog" - anyone used one?

sarajoy

Very tempted to start using one of my wee rucksacks (I know I made myself a messenger bag but bless it, it's not very practical), I do end up throwing a bit too much into my rear rack bag sometimes which makes the bike itself very oddly weighted and hard to carry up and down my flat's entry stairway.

I imagine it'll be a bit sweaty but the bike itself will feel easier to handle. Could be interesting!

Fireblade96

Since i only occasionally work in the office, when I do go in I have to take laptop, power supply, work papers, shirt/socks/pants, plus all the bike-related gubbins. I could get this in a big rucksack, but for my 8 miles each way commute I use a single one of those orange DHB panniers AndyManc showed above. Keeps the weight on the bike, so I stay cooler, and my shirt stays crease-free.

Of course now that I've temporarily knackered the commuter bike I may have to do the trip on a rackless bike, in which case I guess the rucksack will get used. I've ridden multi-day offroad trips with a 40l rucksack - and learnt to pack light !

I don't have a fakenger bag to compare

rhext

I commuted for a year and a half with a rucksack - until the smell got so bad I had to throw it. Then I got panniers and never looked back. I'd never return to a rucksack now. Yes it's a matter of opinion, but I don't find that bike handling is affected until you load them up to an extent that you'd not want to carry them on your back anyway. Although you do need a good-quality rigid rack.

Aidy

Saddlebag for me - and a jersey of some description so I can use the rear pockets.

I try and carry the bare minimum I can get away with, though (just tools, windproof, t-shirt and underwear).

Mike400

As Im always one to save a penny, could you make yourself one of those shirt folder thingys? Is there much to them?

lost_in_thought

I am a fan of panniers, I love them in fact. I reckon (and my osteopath reckons the same) that you really shouldn't cycle around with a lot of weight on your back if you can avoid it, and with panniers you can!

Also, the rack provides a handy place to put things like a handbag, or something more manly for you men.

When I do use a rucksack, I find it gets in the way of my shoulder checks.

andy83

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Deute ... 360034639/

thats my bag and prob my best purchase ever, along with knog lights

keeps weight off your back if that makes sense, i can find when i pick it up some times can be really heavy but due to the support and arch to keep bag away from back you hardly notice it on

i have stopped using my camelbak on short rides as this has a bladder compartment and is comfortable.

If you do opt for a rucksack make sure its a cycle specific one as then you wont have trouble looking over shoulder and wont feel uncomfortable on rides as designed for it to be worn in a riding position

sarajoy

What are recommended wee saddlebags? Ideally cheap (like, under a tenner), and that just clip onto the saddle bars without some extra attachment thing (like the LIDL/ALDI saddlebags come with).

I fancy downsizing what actually goes on the bike, I'd forgotten I have a rather small rucksack which will do well carrying the extras needed for work.

Aidy

lost_in_thought wrote:

I am a fan of panniers, I love them in fact. I reckon (and my osteopath reckons the same) that you really shouldn't cycle around with a lot of weight on your back if you can avoid it, and with panniers you can!

Also, the rack provides a handy place to put things like a handbag, or something more manly for you men.

When I do use a rucksack, I find it gets in the way of my shoulder checks.

If I had a lot to carry on a regular basis, I'd definitely go with panniers. Carrying lots on your back is just annoying and painful.

lost_in_thought

sarajoy wrote:

What are recommended wee saddlebags? Ideally cheap (like, under a tenner), and that just clip onto the saddle bars without some extra attachment thing (like the LIDL/ALDI saddlebags come with).

I fancy downsizing what actually goes on the bike, I'd forgotten I have a rather small rucksack which will do well carrying the extras needed for work.

Cheapest ones I've found are Altura saddlepacks, for just over a tenner...

There's an expanding one....

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Altura-Trail-ex ... _15741.htm

rhext

lost_in_thought wrote:

I am a fan of panniers, I love them in fact. I reckon (and my osteopath reckons the same) that you really shouldn't cycle around with a lot of weight on your back if you can avoid it, and with panniers you can!

Also, the rack provides a handy place to put things like a handbag, or something more manly for you men.

When I do use a rucksack, I find it gets in the way of my shoulder checks.

I'm sure you'll have been asked this before, but how did you get the panniers mounted on your viner. Did the nice Italians add mounts to the frame for you, or did you have to go for a seat-collar/extended skewer option?

lost_in_thought

rhext wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I am a fan of panniers, I love them in fact. I reckon (and my osteopath reckons the same) that you really shouldn't cycle around with a lot of weight on your back if you can avoid it, and with panniers you can!

Also, the rack provides a handy place to put things like a handbag, or something more manly for you men.

When I do use a rucksack, I find it gets in the way of my shoulder checks.

I'm sure you'll have been asked this before, but how did you get the panniers mounted on your viner. Did the nice Italians add mounts to the frame for you, or did you have to go for a seat-collar/extended skewer option?

Only on the Tifosi and the Bowery...

tardington

I like that Creek2Peak rack pack - it seems to have a much better bit for putting a light on than my (otherwise great) Carradice jobby... And it keeps things (beer) cold too!