rucksack question

[JohnRedcoRn]

my problem with rucksacks is that when you sweat a lot, the straps get wet and thas uncomfortable. And if its raining your waterproof solves this but then you have to put a cover on the rucksack, and the straps still get wet.
saying that, if i end up carrying anymore kit on winter rides i may start using one of my rucksacks too! theyre great for walking or lugging loads of stuff to the beach on holiday, but for cycling?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I've used a small rucksack a few times when on the bike, but really only for family rides when we'll going at "Little L-C speed" and so I'm pretty sure I won't be sweating: and need to be able to answer the call of "daddy I'm hungry".

Other than that, far too sweaty .. and I have the same hassles when hill walking as well. You wear all your technical wicking layers and so on and then your carefully wicked away sweat runs up against a layer of foam.

I've used an over-sized bum / waist bag type affair that Mrs-LC found for me last year. It's got a couple of big old foam bits that hold it quite well off your back, and it only really covers your kidney area so that's OK. It's made by Lifeventure and is a lot like this one. Oh, they call it a "hip pack" I see.

For the light days commuting this year, I used an Altura bar-bag .. but that clashes with my lights for space on the bars and so is now resting until next Spring.

I'm thinking about getting a Topeak Tri Bag to carry my spare tube, multitool and - just might fit it in - a small cable lock for the Winter commute*, which will reduce the weight in the "hip pack" a bit. Or I might go for a frame pack .. can't really fit a conventional saddle bag under my seat and allow space for mudguard, light and all the other old rubbish.

*reasonably secure parking with CCTV covering the route to / from where my bike is parked.

 

[ellis]

If you get yourself a decent rusack then i think they are fine, good for commuting. Bought myself a Karrimoor bag a while back, its great. breathable back aswell so stops the sweaty back.

 

[Shaun]

Also have a look at the Revolution Stow range from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op.

They have a light metal frame to keep the pack off your back, and wide, padded, and comfortable straps. Very durable, and IMO good value for money.

I also got a reflective rain cover to go over mine, but can't remember where I bought it from, sorry.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[joebe]

Also have a look at the Revolution Stow range from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op.

They have a light metal frame to keep the pack off your back, and wide, padded, and comfortable straps. Very durable, and IMO good value for money.

I also got a reflective rain cover to go over mine, but can't remember where I bought it from, sorry.

Cheers,
Shaun

Vaude do a nice range with the mesh back and frame to keep the pack off your back. They also include a high vis rain cover, helmet pouch and lots of other natty features. That said they're not cheap

 

[wafflycat]

This is why a rear rack on a bike is a good idea. You can either use bungee cords to affix your normal rucksack/bag to it or use panniers/rack top bag. Any of which are much better solutions than carrying the load on your back.

 

[Scoosh]

I've used an over-sized bum / waist bag type affair that Mrs-LC found for me last year. It's got a couple of big old foam bits that hold it quite well off your back, and it only really covers your kidney area so that's OK. It's made by Lifeventure and is a lot like this one. Oh, they call it a "hip pack" I see.

I have thought of one of these too but wondered if it gets in the way of the 3 wee pockets on the back of a cycling jersey ?

I imagine your response is going to be "Possibly but I don't wear a cycling jersey with wee pockets when I am out with Little L-C"
Am I right ?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I imagine your response is going to be "Possibly but I don't wear a cycling jersey with wee pockets when I am out with Little L-C"
Am I right ?

Almost. I don't wear a cycling jersey with wee pockets at all. If I want a wee, I stop and find a bush.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Get a pannier rack fitted, as Wafflycat says, better to load the bike, than load the rider, your centre of gravity will alter to your detriment, pop into your LBS and have a look at their offerings, plenty to choose from to suit every budget, you'll find it much better with the load on a pannier rack than on your back.

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

already got rack , rackpack and undersaddle pack, i was just pondering options i could use without shelling out money on yet more kit.

(the rackpack and saddle pack dont fit on both together, but i discovered the (topeak) saddle pack fits really securely and functions well as a sort of mini - pannier, so i can carry all my essentials that usually go in the saddle bag but also the full waterproof kit and a couple of bananas for long rides)

 

[RSV_Ecosse]

Also have a look at the Revolution Stow range from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op.

They have a light metal frame to keep the pack off your back, and wide, padded, and comfortable straps. Very durable, and IMO good value for money.

I also got a reflective rain cover to go over mine, but can't remember where I bought it from, sorry.

Cheers,
Shaun

The Stow range from Edin Bike Co-op come with a hi-vis raincover in a wee pocket on the bottom of the rucksack.

The rucksacks are actually made for Edinburgh Bike Co-op by Vaude and are excellent quality. I got one about a week ago and have been using it on my commute.

After using it for a week, it's easy and understandable to see why they get such good write-ups and reviews.

 

[amasidlover]

I use a Deuter 'air comfort' bag branded for Blacks, which has a mesh panel and frame which keeps the bag an inch away from your back - its still warmer than no backpack, but much better than an ordinary one. Don't know if they're still around anymore though.

Alex