Oi roadies, tell me why....
RandG
Posts: 779
As a fairly recent convert to the road I've always wondered why roadies don't wear a backpack, like pretty much all the mtb'ers do but tonight while out I seen a bloke in full kit with a backpack, and did make me wonder, why very few where them.
So why not ?
So why not ?
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1. Against the rules
2. Unnecessary
3. Ever done 12 hours in a proper position with a backpack?
4. See number 1English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0 -
Sweaty, uncomfy, extra strain, extra drag, no need..0
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No need. We carry water on the frame, and tools under the saddle usually.
With a flatter back on a road bike, back ache is much more of a possibility with a backpack.
Also panniers are available, which again move the load to the bike.
A few beginner roadies use backpacks and they carry much more than they need. I'm current trying to get my brother to stop riding with one...0 -
Because we're fitter and ride further and harder than mtb'ers, a backpack would be uncomfortable, sweaty and make us less aero.
Do you ever see Cav or Wiggo wearing one?0 -
Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:Because we're fitter and ride further and harder than mtb'ers, a backpack would be uncomfortable, sweaty and make us less aero.
Do you ever see Cav or Wiggo wearing one?
During the ToB last year I was half expecting Eisel to be wearing one so Cav could jump in at the foot of Caerphilly Mountain.English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0 -
See above posts. They are annoying. I've begrudgingly started using a (very small) one for work as my rack bolt fatigued and half of it is still in the eye, and it's not practical for me to leave absolutely everything there, though I'm working on that. It's manageable for that, but nothing else. I would not want to wear one for long distances.
I understand the reasons why some MTBers choose to use one (eg. to act as a cushion in the event of a fall, rather than having sharp objects in back pockets), but for road cycling it's not practical or necessary. Big rucksacks are absolutely out of the question; for safety reasons apart from anything else.0 -
turning it around, what do MTB peeps have in their back packs? I see photos of club MTB section like they are ready to conquer Everest. Nothing I can't fit in Jersey pockets for a 4 or 5 hour road ride.0
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Yeah true, what do you carry in those packs?
I commute with mine but even then its a tiny 10lt one but on a ride theres just no need. Its extra bulk for no reason and its just not cool as a roadie!Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/16088750 -
i commute with a backpack and thats when I do most of my miles so I'd say i have a backpack 90% of the time!www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes0
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I wear a 10-15lb bulky backpack on a 1h long (one way) commute and I hardly notice it.
Even when I extend the return leg to 1.5-2.00h it's not the end of the world.
It doesn't have a big effect on average speed either.
It's obviously nicer to ride without one but let's not make a big drama about a pound or two on your back.
RandG:
Remember that most of trends in road cycling are dictated by form, not function.
Ride and wear what works for you.
P.S. I've tried panniers but they just don't handle as well.0 -
I think it stems from MTBers using Camelbaks instead of bidons, hence can't really have anything in jersey pockets, hence it becomes a backpack. I presume the whole moving-the-saddle-up-and-down-thing (i'm a seasoned MTBer, can you tell ) prevents the use of saddle packs, hence that will go in a backpack as well. And if you're off into the wildy-wild, you need a bit more kit. Since roadies have none of these issues (unless you're Tommy V in the Tour of Belgium!!) ergo: no Backpacks.
And its against the rules
And you look like a Bumbly (same effect as reflectors, bells, mirrors, baggy lycra etc....)Edinburgh Revolution Curve
http://app.strava.com/athletes/19200480 -
i wear mine on my 8 mile ride to college. it's got a full ring binder folder and 3 a4 books. that's a pain in the arse enough0
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RandG wrote:As a fairly recent convert to the road I've always wondered why roadies don't wear a backpack, like pretty much all the mtb'ers do but tonight while out I seen a bloke in full kit with a backpack, and did make me wonder, why very few where them.
So why not ?
I use a small backpack for commuting, my lunch goes in it basically, but that's only 20 mins each way. I can put up with it for carrying stuff 5 miles or so if I need to, but I would never use a pack for a ride of any decent length.
I can understand MTBers using packs as their riding position is much more upright. Hydration packs I can especially understand as many MTB's seem to only fit one bottle cage, and they would struggle to fit a large bottle in there.0 -
Your missing the point with the backpacks for MTB'ers we used them because when riding the trails offroad you want less weight on your bike to improve its maneuverability also when the going gets rough bottles tend to bounce out of there cages. I carry very little in my pack pump, tube, puncture repair kit, plasters, phone. If im going off the beaten track I may carry a few more tools just in case.0
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As an MTB convert to the dark side and can say with full assurance that Arthurs first sentence is arsewater of the highest order...
Anyway, on the road you need much less stuff as you re not out in the wild ever (If you can call your granny to come pick you up then it's not wild). All you really need is a spare tube, a small multi tool and a pump. A roadie rain jacket can fit in a jersey pocket, the bottles can go on the frame and a snack in the other pocket.
The biggest advantage of a Camelbak is that the hose doesnt get powerhosed with mud like bottles do. Secondly when you re out in the wild proper a mechanical can cause serious problems. An hours ride back to a road could mean a 3-4hr walk which could get scary pretty quickly. Hence MTBers need to carry more stuff in case of problems (spare clothes, tools etc). At trail centres or XC races, this is much less important. Even simpler than that, I can stop at a cafe and fill my bidons up on the road - not so if I'm on a 6hr ride on the MTB
Thirdly, the lower longer position on a roadie makes a backpack uncomfortable much quicker than the more upright position on a Mountain Bike. A simple example is that a backpack keeps hitting the back of my helmet on the roadie, whereas even when the MTB is in full race mode there's not a problem.
It's much nicer riding without a backpack on IMO, but needs must and I'd take a proper MTB Natural ride over a road ride any day!We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
doug5_10 wrote:I think it stems from MTBers using Camelbaks instead of bidons, hence can't really have anything in jersey pockets, hence it becomes a backpack. I presume the whole moving-the-saddle-up-and-down-thing (i'm a seasoned MTBer, can you tell ) prevents the use of saddle packs, hence that will go in a backpack as well. And if you're off into the wildy-wild, you need a bit more kit. Since roadies have none of these issues (unless you're Tommy V in the Tour of Belgium!!) ergo: no Backpacks.
And its against the rules
And you look like a Bumbly (same effect as reflectors, bells, mirrors, baggy lycra etc....)
and all this0 -
I thought MTB riding leans towards use of backpacks as a lot more vibration and shock comes with off-road riding and so anything you carry is kept more secure in one well fitted pack?0
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Mud and vibration are just wrong.Is the gorilla tired yet?0
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Jeez :shock: that's a fair amount of replies in such a short time and it all makes sense.
Tis a fair point about mtb'ers being out in the wild, I carry a spare rear mech went out mtb'ing, can't see many roadies carrying them :roll:0 -
Backpacks stress the core muscles of the torso, leading to earlier onset of fatigue. Loads would be more evenly distributed on the skeleton if the pack slung under the chest. This arrangement would be more aerodynamic too. Unfortunately for women, they already have something in the way.To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.0
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RandG wrote:Jeez :shock: that's a fair amount of replies in such a short time and it all makes sense.
Tis a fair point about mtb'ers being out in the wild, I carry a spare rear mech went out mtb'ing, can't see many roadies carrying them :roll:
If we wreck a mech then we strip it off and shorten the chain so that it runs mid-block as a single speed.To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.0 -
ddraver wrote:As an MTB convert to the dark side and can say with full assurance that Arthurs first sentence is arsewater of the highest order...
Yeah well I like a little teasing now and then. I'm afraid to say I agree with most of your post, I use a camelbak and don't have cages on my mtb for that reason, after a few miles in the mud a water bottle is not something I'd want to be sticking in my mouth....0 -
Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:I use a camelbak and don't have cages on my mtb for that reason, after a few miles in the mud a water bottle is not something I'd want to be sticking in my mouth....Is the gorilla tired yet?0
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I use a hydration pack with my MTB's as I only use a bottle when racing, normal contents are tube, multitool, food, hanger, first aid kit, pump, rag, levers, ty-wraps, phone, money, car keys and that's about it but as a previous poster has said it really about keeping the weight off the bike as to not effect the handling, I hate using a backpack on the road bike and avoid it if I can. Also the back has saved me from injury a couple of times when i've crashed and landed on my pack, much softer than the ground.0
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I've tried a small rucksack and it can be handy but restrictive, especially when cycling uphill. I find it restricts my breathing as I don't feel as if my chest opens up fully when the shoulder straps are effectively pulling me backwards slightly. Over time you will eventually whittle down what you need to carry and what you don't, usually fits into jersey pockets or a small seat-pack/saddle bag.Bianchi ImpulsoBMC Teammachine SLR02 01Trek Domane AL3“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. “ ~H.G. Wells Edit - "Unless it's a BMX"0
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Chris Bass wrote:i commute with a backpack and thats when I do most of my miles so I'd say i have a backpack 90% of the time!
But you're a commuter then.. not a roadie. This guy is asking about roadies.0 -
RandG wrote:Jeez :shock: that's a fair amount of replies in such a short time and it all makes sense.
Tis a fair point about mtb'ers being out in the wild, I carry a spare rear mech went out mtb'ing, can't see many roadies carrying them :roll:
Out in the wild; anyone would think you were all Lofty Wiseman.I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.0 -
I use a back pack (8Ltr) when I go away for the weekend, but I guess that's 'touring' and not being a roadie:D
Don't like it, but can't bring myself to fit a beam rack or carradice thingy to my road bike.my isetta is a 300cc bike0 -
I occasionally use a back pack on road bike, it's to bring back fish and chips from the pub on an easy recovery day.0
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I do wonder why more of the Pointy Hat Brigade don’t use the very low profile, small capacity Camelbaks in TT’s under their skinsuits. Minimal amount of drag, and surely not having to have a bottle or two on the frame and airflow disturbance reaching down, removing and drinking is an advantage?
I recall seeing one or two pro’s in the TdF adopting this strategy
Or is this type of witchcraft outlawed by the Pointy Hat Police?0