A question of Baggage!

highwaymunky

[sorry if this has been posted before, couldn't see a thread with it in... i did look though]

I am in need of a new bag for lugging my lunch and a change of clothes to and from work but also once a week I need to carry more stuff [big folder] to college and back.

Now what do the lovely commuting forum think of the dilemma of rucksack or messenger bag?

Up to now I've stuck with rucksack but thinking the messenger bag maybe the way to go.

Which is the most comfortable.

What does everyone else use :?:

Cheers Rob.

chuckcork

A messenger bag will place strain unequally across your body, I personally find carrying anything in this manner to really strain my shoulder and neck. I also find a tendency for the load to shift rather annoyingly around and the strap to fall off, I can't even wear a sam browne style belt for that reason.

A backpack on the other hand has the load more evenly distributed and balanced and tends to stay put as it can't swing.

I've carried a 15kg rucksack the length of the west highland way with no probs (other than it was heavy!) while a 1kg messenger bag would do my head in in a fraction of that.

ride_whenever

I really like my messenger bag, use it almost every day. IT has a strap that comes from the chest strap to the bag to stop the strap dropping off.

Crumpler and chrome are worth a look for bags.

iain_j

Neither. I use a pannier or two. Can't stand having stuff on my back on my bike.

il_principe

I love my Messenger bag, far better than the rucksack I used to use and roomier and easier to access, and custom designed by the wonderful folks at R.E.Load:

http://www.reloadbags.com/

lost_in_thought

Pannier.... but OK rucksack when I don't have them.

highwaymunky

I love my Messenger bag, far better than the rucksack I used to use and roomier and easier to access, and custom designed by the wonderful folks at R.E.Load:

http://www.reloadbags.com/

WoW! the R.E.Load bags are very cool!

Feltup

I put rucsac but that is because there are some good hills on my ride and I find the rucsac just stays put better when I out of the saddle and climbing. On flattish commutes I think messengers can be nicer because you don't get such a sweaty back.

Underscore

lost_in_thought wrote:

Pannier.... but OK rucksack when I don't have them.

+1

Pannier for road commutes; rucksack for off-road (wholly or partially).

_

ChrisLS

...panniers for commuting...sometimes use a small rucksac when mountain biking...

Eat My Dust

I've got a post mounted Carradice bag. It's one of the best things I've bought cycling wise. I've used a rucksack and a courier bag before, but once you've put the weight on the frame rather than your back you'll never look back.

Tobiwan

+1 for panniers (or anything else bike-mounted). No sweaty back, and no extra load on your back or bum. Between the two options I'd go for the rucksack for heavier loads as it distributes the weight better, and the messenger back for lighter loads as you don't get so sweaty from it.

Mikelyons

Neither
Panniers
or single pannier
Mike

wgwarburton

Hi,
Depends on your style- panniers are good for big stuff & steady riding, but can be a pain for riding "athletically" (out of the saddle, bunnyhopping potholes, sprints) and also can make filtering awkward.

Backpacks are easier for hopping on & off the bike but can get sweaty and uncomfortable for heavy loads.

Messenger bags are cooler than backpacks but even worse for carrying anything heavy.

Some backpacks have mesh to help ventilation, some panniers are a better fit than others, some messenger bags have extra straps to stop them slipping around....

Start by thinking about how much you want to carry, how much a sweaty back will bother you and how dynamically you ride and go from there. I like to have the weight off the bike for commuting (travel light) but would always use panniers for any distance.

I usually reckon that the less you carry the more fun the actual cycling is, but that's no use if you can't keep warm or look smart or whatever you need to do when you arrive!

Cheers,
W.

coffeecup

I use a rucksack but only every 3 or 4 days (I bring a few fresh shirts and leave everything else in work)

I find a messenger bag a bit tight across my chest if it's full and I'm puffing my way up hill. Might be alright for flat easy riding in town though

If i'm carrying stuff everyday, then panniers win every time