Alternatives to rucksacks

Harry B

I was cycling home last night into a head wind so I got down on the drops and couldn't notice much difference. Then I realised that I had a pretty bulky rucksack on my back. Not only is the rucksack inefficient in a headwind. It also gives me sweaty back

Has anyone got any alternatives to a rucksack? I don't want to put a rack on the bike unless it's a quick release one (if they do such a thing). I don't carry a lot, just the usual office gear, Blackberry, mobile, shirt, pants :oops: small lock, waterproof jacket and that's about it. Do they do a saddle bag that would take that lot, plus inner tubes etc?

Anonymous

Deuter Race X Air.

I use one of these, and it's got a mesh keep-the-pack-off-your-back thing. It's pretty good, and sweat levels are kept to a minimum.

Eat My Dust

isn't that a rucksack?

Anonymous

ha yeah it is, but it may be worth trying before going down the no-rucksack route.

alfablue

I don't like seatpost mounted racks for heavy loads, but a Topeak Beam Rack might do for you, they have a quick release, and Topeak make dedicated trunk bags that clip on to them.

Harry B

Eat My Dust wrote:

isn't that a rucksack?

It does look suspiciously like one to me, it looks better than my rucksack but its still a rucksack nevertheless

avoidingmyphd

just fit a rack!

Harry B

avoidingmyphd wrote:

just fit a rack!

Okay guys I know its Friday and everyones knackered at the end of the week but I think I said in the thread that I DID NOT WANT A RACK

avoidingmyphd

I saw that Harry. i was suggesting you rethink, not ignoring you!

seriously, why don't you want one? ime they are perfect for commuting. not just the sweaty back issue, but also the comfort more generally . I used to say "I don't want a rack", but I was wrong!

(and how come the people suggesting rucksacks don't get a telling off too?)

alfablue

Harry B wrote:

avoidingmyphd wrote:

just fit a rack!

Okay guys I know its Friday and everyones knackered at the end of the week but I think I said in the thread that I DID NOT WANT A RACK

but you said

unless its a quick release one

- the Topeak beam rack I showed you is a quick release one.

GyatsoLa

A shopping basket.

I'm serious, they are brilliant for carrying things, old ladies know these things (although I will admit they lack a little in aerodynamics).


If you only have a small amount to carry, maybe an SQR type saddlebag would work for you - they attach to the seatpost. Check out the Carradice website, they have a big range. Some are quick release. You could also try a big ortlieb handlebar bag - you can also attach these to the seapost.

I wouldn't personally recommend beam type racks or rack top bags as in my experience the weight is too high, it makes things too unstable in side winds.

But your only real alternative is a rack. They don't have to be big ugly things at the back. You can get very neat little front racks (such as the Nitto N12) which will carry a medium backpack quite neatly over your front wheel. Or some of the lighter, more elegant racks from Tubus. An ortlieb front roller unclicks almost instantly and will carry all that kit in complete waterproofness. You can also get ortlieb briefcases that click on to a rear rack.

Harry B

alfablue wrote:

Harry B wrote:

avoidingmyphd wrote:

just fit a rack!

Okay guys I know its Friday and everyones knackered at the end of the week but I think I said in the thread that I DID NOT WANT A RACK

but you said

unless its a quick release one

- the Topeak beam rack I showed you is a quick release one.

Looks like it might be the answer, thanks

Eat My Dust

You'd think I get commision on these!

http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepa ... tour.shtml

Brilliant peice of kit.

jstutters

I got a Carradice Pendle and an SQR quick release mount to carry a lock, lunch, some clothes, puncture tools and a couple of other bits. That's worked very well as a solution so far - very durable and keeps even a downpour out. The only real downside I can think is that it's a bit heavy.

http://carradice.co.uk/saddlebags/pendl ... ebag.shtml
http://carradice.co.uk/racks-and-attach ... stem.shtml

itboffin

Why not gippo it up and use a carrier bag, very versatile bit of reusable kit, can be hung from the handlebars, your wrist or lashed to your back with a bungie cord.

Carrier bag...

Harry B

Harry B wrote:

alfablue wrote:

Harry B wrote:

avoidingmyphd wrote:

just fit a rack!

Okay guys I know its Friday and everyones knackered at the end of the week but I think I said in the thread that I DID NOT WANT A RACK

but you said

unless its a quick release one

- the Topeak beam rack I showed you is a quick release one.

Looks like it might be the answer, thanks

Actually I've looked at these for my mountain bike and as someone has already said thet are pretty heavy.

Harry B

Eat My Dust wrote:

You'd think I get commision on these!

http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepa ... tour.shtml

Brilliant peice of kit.

Mmmm looks a possibility

Clever Pun

Crumpler bags are where it's at

greg66_tri_v2.0

Clever Pun wrote:

Crumpler bags are where it's at

Dude, Crumpler, like na-hah. 8)

Timbuk2. You can go full custom colours on their website.



[BTW: if either kid loses their lights, it's off to a big shopping centre where I'll "lose" them. Sauce for the goose & all that]

shaef

Harry B wrote:

Eat My Dust wrote:

You'd think I get commision on these!

http://www.carradice.co.uk/sqr-saddlepa ... tour.shtml

Brilliant peice of kit.

Mmmm looks a possibility

I agree the SQR's are excellent, I use an sqr-slim, and can fit a laptop in it. Doubles as a rear mudguard too.

symo

Bagaboo, end of discussion. I can't afford one, but I would love one.

always_tyred

alfablue wrote:

Harry B wrote:

avoidingmyphd wrote:

just fit a rack!

Okay guys I know its Friday and everyones knackered at the end of the week but I think I said in the thread that I DID NOT WANT A RACK

but you said

unless its a quick release one

- the Topeak beam rack I showed you is a quick release one.

I just returned one of these for a refund. For reasons best known to themselves, they put the hinge going across the bike. This means that you have to cycle with your knees sticking out to avoid hitting this daft 3 inch wide block of metal across your seatpost.

AndyManc

Always Tyred wrote:

alfablue wrote:

Harry B wrote:

avoidingmyphd wrote:

just fit a rack!

Okay guys I know its Friday and everyones knackered at the end of the week but I think I said in the thread that I DID NOT WANT A RACK

but you said

unless its a quick release one

- the Topeak beam rack I showed you is a quick release one.

I just returned one of these for a refund. For reasons best known to themselves, they put the hinge going across the bike. This means that you have to cycle with your knees sticking out to avoid hitting this daft 3 inch wide block of metal across your seatpost.

I’ve got one , the hinge doesn't cause a problem and doesn't interfere with my pedalling .

I also bought the sidebars for it to allow for topeak's special drop down bags.

It's a decent system, you can't carry much in them and it makes your bike top heavy and may add to instability.

I carried all my waterproofs, dinner , tools , and a (very) small rucksack in topeak's compatible rear rack bag.

But ...... I've recently removed it and fitted a normal (disk specific) rear carrier and it's far better , I had worries about fitting a (real) rear carrier .... , I wish I'd done it ages ago. :?

always_tyred

AndyManc wrote:

I’ve got one , the hinge doesn't cause a problem and doesn't interfere with my pedalling .

I also bought the sidebars for it to allow for topeak's special drop down bags.

It's a decent system, you can't carry much in them and it makes your bike top heavy and may add to instability.

I carried all my waterproofs, dinner , tools , and a (very) small rucksack in topeak's compatible rear rack bag.

But ...... I've recently removed it and fitted a normal (disk specific) rear carrier and it's far better , I had worries about fitting a (real) rear carrier .... , I wish I'd done it ages ago. :?

In fairness, I have a level top tube and I cycle with my knees in a bit. Even so, its a shame it wasn't thought through a bit more. Other manutacturers have the hinges the other way.

attica

I ride with a large Bum Bag, cuts out the back ache and sweaty back syndrome (well mostly, the small of my back is the only bit that gets sweaty now)

Mine is a vintage Kirtland, so I've no linky for you sorry. Enough capacity for lunch and a pair of shoes which for me is plenty - I keep all my work clothes at work and ferry clean stuff to work on rotation.