Keep back pack or get panniers?

attica

I know I'm in a tiny minority here, but I commute with a large bum bag.
All I need to carry in it is my lunch, a few extra clothes (cycling and work in a carrier bag to keep them dry)
Mobile and wallet (again wrapped up in a zip bag to keep them extra dry)

Pump is frame mounted, small saddlebag contains 2x inner tubes, tyre levers and a multitool.

The bumbag has the advantage of leaving my back dry, keeps the weight as low as possible yet still allows me to move the bike about beneath me more than having the panniers.

blorg

When I only have the one pannier I would always use the right one, so that it is sticking out into the traffic, better to appear wider on that side I reckon (also has reflective strip on the back.)

GregP

Single pannier, attached to the right (with an extra LED light attached). Aesthetically a rack and pannier are nasty - but in practical terms it is *absolutely* the right solution, at least for me.

I'm surprised by the 'single pannier on the left' post. Why so?

Underscore

GregP wrote:

I'm surprised by the 'single pannier on the left' post. Why so?

I wish I could tell you why, but I can't! I have a pair and used to use both - one with my work stuff and one with stuff to go to the gym at lunchtime. When I moved jobs and no longer had access to a gym, I started using a single pannier and probably used whichever one had my work cloths in last - the left one. Stupidly, I've never thought about which one I use until now!

_

Aidanw

Does anyone have any feelings good or bad on very lightweight pannier racks, for example

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Tubus ... 360025254/

Paired with something like this

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Ortli ... 360028319/

lost_in_thought

I have the tortec lightweight pannier rack for its versatility.

And definitely go for panniers - as my angry osteopath told me this morning 'this rucksack is ruining all my hard work on your back'...

I haven't fitted the rack to the bowery yet... my p-clips only arrived today!

Redmog

I use one of these with a small pannier for commuting. I have easily enuff capacity for the daily grind and with 2 allen bolts it is easily de clamped for the weekend. It all works really well with the proviso that I stay with a metal seat post.

There is a heavy duty one for MTBs with a QR type clamp

blorg

I have the Tortec Ultra Lite on my tourer and it works grand, is rated up to 25kg. Same weight as the Tubus but a fair bit cheaper, think I paid £20. That Tubus seems to be designed for bikes without traditional mount points though while the Tortec presumes the frame is designed to take a rack.

@lost_in_thought- would be interested in how you get on with the rack/P-clips on the Bowery, I have one myself and would like to mount a rack on it. What did you use and where did you get it?

sem69

Surprised no one's mentioned rack packs, or carradice sqr bags or saddle bags (which do without the need for a rack).

I've tried rucksacks and courier bags but have now switched to a lightweight rack with this rack pack:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/2511/Cree ... k-Bag.html
I can fit loads in it – change of clothes, towel, waterproof, lunch box, pump and tools etc.
The rack and the bag only cost about £40, and it's so much better than carrying everything on your back!

Kieran_Burns

the rack pack sits ON the rack and not down the side, is that right?

So you'll need somewhere to mount your rear light... presumably somewhere on the rack

sem69

Kieran_Burns wrote:

the rack pack sits ON the rack and not down the side, is that right?

So you'll need somewhere to mount your rear light... presumably somewhere on the rack

Yes the rack pack sits on the rack, attached with velcro straps.
And a light can be fitted on the rack or on the rear of the bag.

blorg

You are better off mounting your rear light on the rack anyway, less chance of it getting obscured. Most racks have a standard mounting pattern at the back where you can screw on a standard light mount (including my Tortec) but if you don't you can get an aftermarket bracket from SKS that will clamp on basically anywhere you like on your rack.

Kieran_Burns

I was going to go for these:

Altura Urban Dryline 17 Inch Briefcase Pannier Black/Grey
LifeLine Alloy Rear Rack Black -

As the dryline seemed a good waterproof set (plus it's the right shape for me) and the lifeline a good rack, now that you've mentioned the lightweights (and the packs! :P ) I'm all confused again :roll:

lost_in_thought

blorg wrote:

I have the Tortec Ultra Lite on my tourer and it works grand, is rated up to 25kg. Same weight as the Tubus but a fair bit cheaper, think I paid £20. That Tubus seems to be designed for bikes without traditional mount points though while the Tortec presumes the frame is designed to take a rack.

@lost_in_thought- would be interested in how you get on with the rack/P-clips on the Bowery, I have one myself and would like to mount a rack on it. What did you use and where did you get it?

Haven't done it yet!! Am abut to shoot off home and have a go though. I managed to mount one with p-clips on my old bike which was nicked, it was a lightweight fixie too so I'm quietly confident.

I used the tortec ultra-light and some p-clips from Evans last time, this time same rack and p-clips from SJS cycles...

Kieran_Burns

Will the altura briefcase thingy fit on the tortec?

I'm about to hit order..... (and I have the cateye rear led so in theory I can fit it to rack which would be good)

GregP

All my luggage, including my bar bag and the seat pack for my road bike, is Altura and I can't fault it. Had my panniers since last century and still as good as new.

Crapaud

GregP wrote:

Single pannier, attached to the right (with an extra LED light attached). Aesthetically a rack and pannier are nasty - but in practical terms it is *absolutely* the right solution, at least for me.

I'm surprised by the 'single pannier on the left' post. Why so?

I used to use the left pannier in the winter because, after extensive testing of different reflectves in different combos, reflexive ankle strips proved the best at saying to motorists 'cyclist'. If I'd used the right pannier the strip wouldn't have been visible from behind.

I used the right pannier in the summer and a rack pack similar to sem69's, when I didn't have too much to carry (though it's surprising how much you can fit into it)

blorg

@lost_in_thought- Sounds good, wouldn't mind seeing a photo when you are done.

geocycle

I use panniers (Ortlieb) but this might be an alternative for some folk who need a ruckack:

http://www.fahrrad-richter.de/product_i ... cts_id=736

gabriel959

That looks great! Shame about the price.

Aidanw

I used to have a SQR carradice tour and it was very good. however the new shiny has a carbon seat post and I don't trust it not to get worn through.

Suerdusty

Ive been trialling bike bins after getting cheesed off with soggy bits in the bottom of panniers, they are definately waterproof (tested in this weeks Liquid Cornish sunshine) and are big enough to hold paperwork as well as the normal parafanelia.

humf

i commuted four two years with two panniers and never had a problem

humf

i commuted in all wethers and fawnd that even in the cold or a hard frost my grip on road was beter with panniers on rather than off just balans you load and it shud be ok

humf

put your stuf in a poley bag it stops my work geer geting wet

richk

I changed from a (small) rucksack to a rack with bag & wouldn't want to go back. Why? Well, sweaty back for starters. Then there was the weight issue (about 12 lbs) pulling at me. Bought a beam rack & suitable bag & it all works fine, whichever bike I'm on. Sure, the load capacity is limited - but enough for what I need to take to work. For a bigger capacity, then I'd go down the panniers route no question.

[edit]

As I'm not a full time cycle commuter, I do sometimes leave a coat / jacket at work the day before so I don't have to cary that in with me. I do however, carry waterproofs rolled up in case it rains on the way in.

[/edit]

mikeitup

I have been using a Topeak rack and a 13ltr Topeak rack bag.
Bike handles fine. I also use my 20l panniers for transporting work materials and changes of clothing etc.

fonty1978

So glad this thread started as i've been pondering the very same question.

I do have a pannier rack fitted, and have commuted using a briefcase style bag which was an improvement on a rucksack.

I found i sometimes have to transport more stuff to work than the briefcase will fit due to taking towel, strides and company polo shirt each Monday.

I think looking at this thread the Ortlieb panniers are the way to go so cheers everyone!!