Rack + pannier or rucksack for 12 mile commute?

defdaz

Hey all, I've finally got my road bike and am wondering what to do regarding luggage. On my hybrid I had a rack and ortlieb roller classic panniers (which I've still got) but I'm hesitant to put a rack on my road bike.

What do you all do? Rucksack and sweaty back or panniers / bags and reduced handling (and looks! )? I looked at the behind-the-seat-post-bags but they're too small to fit anything other than an angry gerbil in them?

Thanks all,

Daz

alfablue

I would go rack and pannier on a 12 mile commute. The handling won't be too affected with a modest load. The Ortlieb is good, and if you want a very lightweight rack Tortec have the Velocity rack which whilst weighing only about 300g will take up to 25kg. It was well reviewed in the latest Cycling Plus.

It takes less than 5 minutes to remove for weekend rides.

Fireblade96

Panniers will be a lot more comfortable.
I have to carry laptop, change of clothes etc. so a rucksack would be pretty heavy.

That said, I'm commuting on my MTB so panniers don't look out of place. When I get my new roadie I'll have to rethink...

laughingboy

I don't much like backpacks, but if you don't fancy fitting a rack on your bike, there are other options besides the backpack/traditional rack and pannier dilemma.

Ortlieb and others do quite large saddlebags (certainly bigger than any gerbil I have ever seen).
Topeak Dynapack DX is a seat post bag and rack in one (big enough to store a helmet if their site is to be believed).
Seat Post rack and bag 'solutions' (dread word) are also available.

So you needn't fit a standard rack if that is not what is required.

It will be a question of your working out just what you need to carry, and finding something that fits the bill for how you use your bike.

cougie

Messenger bag ?

What are you taking with you ? Leave heavy stuff like shoes in work if you can.

chuckcork

Leave heavy stuff at work, just take in what you need, and use a lightweight backpack like a Vaude. Keep teh size small and you won't be tempted to carry too much in, and just pack a spare jersey for the ride home.

The Chingford Skinhead

defdaz wrote:

Hey all, I've finally got my road bike and am wondering what to do regarding luggage. On my hybrid I had a rack and ortlieb roller classic panniers (which I've still got) but I'm hesitant to put a rack on my road bike.

What do you all do? Rucksack and sweaty back or panniers / bags and reduced handling (and looks! )? I looked at the behind-the-seat-post-bags but they're too small to fit anything other than an angry gerbil in them?

Thanks all,

Daz

Surely panniers only affect handling if they are packed with heavy things and often then only if badly packed. But if you are carrying heavy things on your bike then panniers have the least affect on handling because they are lower to the ground meaning the weight is given a lower centre of gravity - unlike rucksacks which raise the centre of gravity which increases instability (along with being attached to a moving body.

cjcp

I've always been a backpack man. I would sweat even if I had panniers. If you opt for a backpack, however, it's worth choosing one which has a gap between your back and the pack (it's that vent-style arc in the pack). Not because it will keep your back cool, but because it will reduce the amount of sweat which dries on your backpack, which will leave it absolutely bumpin'!

cyberknight

I would say go panniers or a small rack

I do a 10 mile commute , if you want to carry extras like tools/spare inner tube etc it can get heavy , i tried it with a back pack and found it to sweaty .I currently have a small rack and use an old backpack with handles cut off along wiht 2 bungee cords......... hey its cheap and it works

defdaz

Thanks all, very much appreciated! I think I'll try the velocity rack (thanks alphablue) with one of my panniers and see how I get on. Until then I'll have to stick with my big ol' hiking rucksack!

redddraggon

alfablue wrote:

I would go rack and pannier on a 12 mile commute. The handling won't be too affected with a modest load. The Ortlieb is good, and if you want a very lightweight rack Tortec have the Velocity rack which whilst weighing only about 300g will take up to 25kg. It was well reviewed in the latest Cycling Plus.

It takes less than 5 minutes to remove for weekend rides.

I was looking for a decent rack for Ribble, and I'm not planning on ever using a rackpack as I've got a decent carradice saddle bag which I like. Found the TorTec Velocity, searched here for it and I notice you've recommended it a few times Alfa, so if it's rubbish I'll be coming after you

How about some recommendations for some decent, strong, panniers which have a robust but quick tool-less release from the rack? I had some panniers which needed a screwdriver to affix and remove, but still wasn't that secure.

Jamey

Ortlieb panniers > everything else.

Price is a different argument, however

lost_in_thought

Rack + Panniers all the way. I have Altura Orkneys, they've served me well for over 3 years, keep stuff dry, and are cheaper than the Ortliebs.

I have the Tortec ultralite, which also seems to do a sterling job for a reasonable price.

Wallace1492

LiT, have you ever toured with them?

I am looking for rack and panniers for some touring.

lost_in_thought

No, but ask me again after the bank holiday weekend!

My only potential complaint is that they extend above the flat top of the rack, so you don't have a flat surface. However, that could be an advantage! You can also overfill them quite substantially without losing the waterproofing...

NGale

once I invest in a cyclo cross bike (which is most likely to be my next investment bike wise) I will go to a rack and panniers. until then on my Trek I will stick with a rucksac, which while it is admitidly the worlds biggest back pack for commuting it holds all my uniform nicely (I'm still trying to sort out a locker in work to keep uniform and shoes in) and does the job for cadet duties as well.

The only thing is is that it is causing me a few problems back wise, but I think that's partly out of it not fitting corectly and me needing an adjustment from the chiropractor (who is a cyclist himself so knows some of the problems faced)

davmaggs

I can vouch for the Tortec Velocity (seem previous posts about becoming an old man). It is slimline so keeps things to a minimum, but tight with mudguards.

I went for the luxury Vaude panniers as they have an outside pocket (unlike Ortliebs), and this has proved useful every day for keys etc. They would be having a hook that goes around the lower part of the rack, and then two hooks that snap shut over the top of the rack. To release you simple pull the handle & they unspring and you lift the bag.

I got them off eBay, made an offer so got a bit of a discount.

As for the idea that they might affect balance. Absolute nonsense! I nearly always use just the one and even when filled with a laptop and book or a load of shopping it weighs a few KGs compared to my weight.

Dudu

Panniers will affect your stability a lot less than a rucksack. If you use lowrider or limpet front panniers, they'll even improve handing if you have any twisty downhills.

But first ask yourself.. Do I really need to cart this much stuff around?

I carry race cape, tube,levers, allen keys, clean shirt, kx and sox in a seatpack. Trousers at shoes live in the office, but I'm not customer facing and work in a business where a little louche scruffiness is expected.