bag or panniers??
Discussion
Just after some views on which is faster on my commute i tend to average 16-17mph with my backpack on over 15miles each way yet on a weekend without the backpack I can average 19mph with less effort over 35-40 miles am i likely to be faster with panniers?? My bag isn't particularly heavy (change of clothes, waterproofs + babywipes) and weighing 110kg myself I doubt it's the weight that's slowing me down I'm not really sure what it is anyone switched between the 2 and noticed any improvement?
I've always stuck with a rucksack as i prefer the weight there than over the back of the bike. In that respect i'm not too sure which would be quicker - a lot would come down to personal preference i would have thought although as you say your bag isn't particularly heavy you might find you can go quicker with the weight not on you....
I'm actually after a new rucksack as mine has split after a year of hard use, so i'd be interested to know with the discussion what rucksacks people use who use them over a pannier?
I'm actually after a new rucksack as mine has split after a year of hard use, so i'd be interested to know with the discussion what rucksacks people use who use them over a pannier?
snowdude2910 said:
mk1fan said:
And you should get out of the mindset that your commute is a timetrial.
why??I use a "Mil-spec" rucksack I got online, but I tend to carry a lot of weight around with me for work, unavoidably.
DrMekon said:
Saddlebag and a bagman support here. Panniers make the bike feel unwieldy, and backpacks make me sweat. A saddlebag with a bagman does neither. Proper British cycling kit.
Weight to weight, a set of panniers ought to make the bike feel far less unweildy that that saddlebag. Panniers mount so much lower down.I used to commute with a messenger bag, but found that they made my back sweaty, and required careful loading to prevent things digging into my back and the bag moving ('twas a Chrome bag too, so a good 'un). Fine for short hops and/or grabbing something from the shop, but not particularly practical otherwise. I'll be switching to panniers once I start my new job/commute.
Mars said:
Weight to weight, a set of panniers ought to make the bike feel far less unweildy that that saddlebag. Panniers mount so much lower down.
But further back. In practice, I suspect because the weight is by the saddle (ie fixed to a contact point), there is much less wobble/flex than with panniers. I ran panniers for years - this setup hugely improved the handling of my bike. If you are running an uber stiff frame, YMMV. Mine felt much more whippy with panniers. FWIW, I have ~4kg on the bike.Jimbo. said:
I used to commute with a messenger bag, but found that they made my back sweaty, and required careful loading to prevent things digging into my back and the bag moving ('twas a Chrome bag too, so a good 'un). Fine for short hops and/or grabbing something from the shop, but not particularly practical otherwise. I'll be switching to panniers once I start my new job/commute.
A messenger bag allows you to sit the bag down at the bottom of your back (but you need something like the 'third leg' strap on Crumpler bags to keep the bag in place) - this leaves your upper back free, which is where most of the heat/sweat will come from.Crumpler bags are indestructible. Mine has done seven years of year-round commuting in London and all that has happened is that the velcro is less sticky. No so much as a loose thread.
Edit: For the baggage weight the OP is carrying, I would stick to a bag. Less aerodynamic drag than a brick of a pannier, and keeping the weight off the bike will be better for when the roads are rough.
Edited by braddo on Wednesday 2nd November 15:37
mk1fan said:
The same reason I don't treat my drive to work / meetings as a timed rally stage.
I don't think it's the same thing at all for starters i go to work at 21:00 and come back at about 04:00 so traffic rarely holds me up and lights change quite quickly when your the only thing there meaning there is no opourtunity for taking bigger risks, not that i would anyway so i don't see the harm in competing against myself although if it was a busy commute in a city I could see your point
Jimbo. said:
I used to commute with a messenger bag, but found that they made my back sweaty, and required careful loading to prevent things digging into my back and the bag moving ('twas a Chrome bag too, so a good 'un). Fine for short hops and/or grabbing something from the shop, but not particularly practical otherwise. I'll be switching to panniers once I start my new job/commute.
Despite my previous flippancy regarding messenger bags, I agree with this. I found them to constrict my chest, slide around to the front so need constant adjusting and just not work. Rucksacs will make your back sweaty and I don't find them comfortable.
Panniers all the way for me. OK they take a little getting used to, but you quickly get past that and can balance out heavier loads by having one on either side.
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