Paniers or rucksack

[peter davidson]

Doing the Leeds liverpool in June just wondering which is better panniers or rucksack. Will be travelling light waterproofs snacks couple of tubes and small amount of tools

 

[ScotiaLass]

It depends I suppose! How far is the ride?
Unless you have a decent backpack with an 'airflow' back, you may get quite hot!
I use a backpack all the time so am used to wearing one but haven't used one for more than a 35 mile ride.
Do you have a saddle pack? That would hold your tools, tubes etc.
You'll need to carry drinks too...

 

[annedonnelly]

Personal preference probably, but I hate rucksacks. I never go far without at least one pannier. Are you going to have to buy one specially? There are sometimes cheap ones in the Aldi/Lidl bike specials.

 

[ianrauk]

If you are travelling light then you don't need either. Carrying a rucksack or panniers is not light travelling. Jersey pockets and a saddle pack is all that you will need.

 

[vickster]

Personally I can't bear anything in Jersey pockts, except maybe a couple of tiff less. I'd use pannier or maybe if taking as little as you say, a seat post bag plus a tri bag. Will you definitely need waterproofs, although some of the jackets roll really small, you won't want waterproof trousers in June unless you want to boil in the bag! How long is the ride, a day?

 

[contadino]

I've been looking at Carradice saddle bags for a couple of summer multi-day jaunts. They vary in size but one is 11 litres which I estimate is enough for my clothing and battenburg needs.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I've been looking at Carradice saddle bags for a couple of summer multi-day jaunts. They vary in size but one is 11 litres which I estimate is enough for my clothing and battenburg needs.

Nice cake choice

 

[The_Cycling_Scientist]

I prefer panniers personally, stay cooler and the Gravity centre point is lower down, you can get small pannier top bags that make it less likely to throw your ballance off though I need to replace my £10 mountain warehouse bag as the bottom of one side has ripped

 

[contadino]

Well I'm doing one of l'Eroica courses in June, when it'll be loaded with pane di patate, salumi, and vino instead.

 

[Drago]

Rucksack for commuting. Heavier loads I'd go panniers or trailer.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

+1 to those suggesting neither for that little load.

I would consider a rack bag or proper saddlebag, although you can feed on the move more easily with a well stocked cycling jersey and bungee your waterproof onto the rack or around the toptube

 

[Gez73]

Get a rack and suitably fitting rack bag. You can then use panniers when you need to and use the bag alone when that's space enough. No journey on a bike is short enough to use a rucksack! Gez

 

[annirak]

Definitely depends on how you feel about rucksacks. Personally, I can't use them for very far; they make my back too hot, so I use panniers.