Paniers V rucksacks

[gavroche]

In all the threads I have read, i noticed that nobody mentions rucksacks. I understands that paniers can hold a lot more than rucksacks but they also add more weight to the bike and possibly can cause unbalance. Personnaly, I have never used paniers and am not likely ever to use any as I light to travel light. I can carry all I need on the back of my jersey ie: food.as water bottle on bike. I only go for day ride of a few hours so no need to load myself with all sorts. Having said that, if I needed to carry more stuff for some reason, I think I would rather wear a rucksack as i would find it more convenient to paniers and keep the bike light. Any one in favour of rucksacks?

 

[Col5632]

I wear a rucksack, not saying i wont ever use paniers but everything i need fits in my rucksack no problem, if i end up getting a roadie eventually i will try to reduce my rucksack to a saddle bag

 

[Edwards80]

I do a 20 mile round trip commute each day and used to use a rucksack. I fitted panniers at the end of last year, wish I had done it sooner.

I carry a laptop most days and along with the lock/other bits and bobs, my shoulders/upper back would start to ache after a few days with the rucksack. Nothing so bad that it really bothered me too much though.

If you aren't doing more then 10 miles regularly with a heavy rucksack then it will be fine, any further than that though and I would definitely recommend panniers. The bike doesn't feel unbalanced even when I fully load one side.

With light loads though, sounds like you'll be fine with the rucksack! Just make sure you get one that fits properly/doesn't shift around on your back. If work would by me a laptop for home and one for the office, I'd probably remove the pannier rack

 

[SquareDaff]

Like "Tunes", panniers help you breathe more easily!!

 

[ianrauk]

I use a single pannier *shock horror* on my commute bike. Doesn't feel unbalanced at all.
And none of that sweaty back syndrome you get with a rucksack.

 

[Gareth]

Alas I do not commute by bicycle: it is only 15ft from the back door of our house to the back door of the Workshop. However, I do the shopping and utility runs by bicycle and use any combination of front & rear panniers, ruc-sac and trailer depending upon how much shopping I am getting.

My preference is to use the panniers, and I always load the heavy stuff into the front pannniers; each has a volume of 18 litres capacity, and my average load of shopping is about 25kgs upfront. These are sort of semi low rider panniers and are more or less mounted on the front wheel centre. With the main weight in this position it has saved me from road rash a few times and has allowed me to recover when the bike slipped on wet leaves. Without that low down weight at the front I am certain that I would have spilled the bike and me.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I bought panniers last year after years of rucksack use, lasted a few weeks but I simply didn't like them and went back to my rucksack. I use a quality rucksack and don't suffer a sweaty back, but that said my commute is a short one. I guess it's just down to preference

 

[Norm]

I also use both.

I prefer a rucksack (mine has a very effective air flow system so I don't get sweaty) as it is so much easier to carry when not on the bike and everyone is used to seeing a rucksack, it doesn't mark you out. Trying to walk anywhere carrying a pair of panniers is ungainly and screams "cyclist".

For commuting, I often use a Topeak rack bag, which has a handle on it so it's fairly easy to carry, but it not only marks me out as "cyclist" but it also looks a tad too much like my mother's vanity case.

In the extreme, a rucksack is more balanced because it is a dynamic weight and it moves with the rider. Panniers are static and, especially if not closely tethered, can even act against the rider. I've never really found it a problem but that's the theory. I think it is similar to someone getting greater advantage from losing a few kilos on the bike than losing a few kilos around the waist, most of us wouldn't spot the advantage and most of us wouldn't be able to exploit it anyway, but it's better in theory.

 

[potsy]

Only used a rucksack once, didn't like it at all, horrible sweaty back after only 5 miles.
Maybe one of those fancy pant airflow ones would be better, but I'll stick to the rackbag/paniers

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

... and screams "cyclist".

... marks me out as "cyclist" ...

I don't understand what you're getting at here: what's the problem with people knowing you ride a bike?

In the extreme, a rucksack is more balanced because it is a dynamic weight and it moves with the rider. Panniers are static and, especially if not closely tethered, can even act against the rider. I've never really found it a problem but that's the theory. I think it is similar to someone getting greater advantage from losing a few kilos on the bike than losing a few kilos around the waist, most of us wouldn't spot the advantage and most of us wouldn't be able to exploit it anyway, but it's better in theory.

Seems counter-intuitive to me: a rucksack and the weight of the rider are above the centre of gravity; I also don't understand how a weight that moves can be considered more balanced than one that doesn't.

I've not heard the theory that weight off the bike is better than weight off the rider: I'd be grateful if you could point me towards sources or references for these theories.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Off-road; rucksack (Camelbak to be precise) though I toured off road with panniers+saddlebag, and tbh would use a trailer if I had the bunce.

On road; panniers+saddlebag every time for me.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Ive used both over the last couple of years, I still haven't made my mind up. I strangely tend to use panniers in the winter and rucksack during the summer. The bike does feel more sluggish with panniers on, and I feel more nippy with the rucksack, but I tend to feel more unbalanced when looking behind with a rucksack. I just can't decide which I prefer! I've just bought a trunk bag to use in the summer I'm going to see how I get on with that. To be honest I can't stand the look of a rack and panniers. But the bottom line is practicality and comfort. At the end of the day the commutes not a fashion show all though I think some see it as.

 

[ianrauk]

The other great thing with rack and pannier bike on a commute is when you burn up roadies...they don't like it, apparently, not that I would do such a thing.

 

[Norm]

I don't understand what you're getting at here: what's the problem with people knowing you ride a bike?

I'm afraid that I think that's one of those "If you have to ask, you'll never understand" questions, but I'll try.

When walking round town, when walking round the office, when shopping at Tescos, I don't want to shout "I'm a cyclist" at everyone. I feel that carrying panniers does that.

As for the CoG thing, do you ride much off road?

 

[potsy]

To be honest I can't stand the look of a rack and panniers. But the bottom line is practicality and comfort. At the end of the day the commutes not a fashion show all though I think some see it as.

In perfect timing my new rack and bag arrived 30 minutes ago, they are now fitted to the CX commuter and look great