Commuters - rucksack or panniers?

[Chicken Chaser]

I have a relatively short commute of around 10 miles return at present and have been using a rucksack. Whilst it provides a bit of warmth in the cold weather, once I'm warmed up it becomes a bit of a nuisance.
I'm commuting on a Kinesis Racelight with full guards and as it's got rack mounts i'd be tempted to get something instead of having to carry a rucksack. It would encourage me to take the long way in or home when I don't have to ride around with a bag on my back.
I've got no prior knowledge of panniers or rack mounts and there's quite a range out there. The rack would ideally be lightweight and fairly minimalist although with enough to attach something securely to it!

As for what to carry, it'll mainly be lunch or dinner (sometimes carry a frozen pizza!) Android tablet, work T Shirts and some cycling clothes for when it's either too warm or too cold on the return journey. That might mean I'll only need a small bag or one pannier but I'm sure there will be riders on here who have that covered on a daily basis.

[Dowks]

I commute on my Racelight with mudgurards on. I used to use a rucksack but this year have added a small rack and a rack bag. Works fine and I barely notice it, prefer it to having the rucksack on

[jamiebae]

I use a rack and a small pannier for a similar length commute. Wearing a rucksack you inevitably have sweaty patches, which is OK if you have a shower at the office but even then it becomes annoying and uncomfortable after a while. Panniers are pretty much unnoticeable when riding (bar the aesthetics) and do the job much better in my experience.

[Batfink]

I wear a motorcycle rucksack and cram about 6kg of early 2000's laptop, lunch, drinks and clothing.
I get hot on my back when wearing waterproofs so gear up with arm warmers and only a thin merino baselayer on my torso.
My bike cannot take a pannier so I can only use what I have.

[Barchettaman]

Tubus Fly rack and two front panniers.
Divide the weight and they'll also be a bit shorter than big rear panniers so the risk of heel strike is reduced.

[TheInternet]

Chicken Chaser said:

The rack would ideally be lightweight and fairly minimalist although with enough to attach something securely to it!

Tortec Velocity?

[Rob_T]

i've commuted a similar distance over the last 5 years now.

i found a carradice nelson long flap is perfect. it's extendable 'long flap' makes the load it can carry larger, so i can carry a small laptop, clothes etc in it as required.



because it is on the saddle and not on the side of the bike, the bike is more evenly balanced.

i have mine on my kinesis tripster:

[lukefreeman]

Rob_T said:

i've commuted a similar distance over the last 5 years now.

i found a carradice nelson long flap is perfect. it's extendable 'long flap' makes the load it can carry larger, so i can carry a small laptop, clothes etc in it as required.



because it is on the saddle and not on the side of the bike, the bike is more evenly balanced.

i have mine on my kinesis tripster:

Love that idea.

Stupid question, but does the bag move around? Looks quite flimsy on two bolt on seat rails?

[Rob_T]

No. It's held in with some quick release clips and a strap

[Roger Irrelevant]

I've only ever used a rucksack (the same Camelbak one which is now ten years old), since I started commuting. I can honestly say it's never bothered me at all even on the longest version of my commute - basically put it on, forget it's there. But then (a) I don't have to carry that much stuff, (b) have showers at work, and (c) can't get panniers on either of my bikes. On the odd occasion when I do have to carry more stuff (laptop etc), and so use a bigger, less ergonomic rucksack the idea of panniers suddenly seems wonderful.

[AyBee]

Use a dry-sack bag made by Lomo (mainly because it's waterproof) - I leave suits and shoes at work so it only ever carries bike repair kit, waterproofs, shirt (in a shirt shuttle), underwear and a few other bits (work docs etc). Can't say I mind having it on my back. I've considered panniers but I don't think I'd like the uneven weight and it also means I can't change bikes as easily.

[Chicken Chaser]

I'm going to get a Tortec ultralite rack but just need to sort some panniers now. Don't want to spend too much, shame Aldi or lidl haven't got any in yet!

[colin79666]

I lasted about a month with a rucksack and then switched to panniers for my 10 mile commute. Much less sweaty!
A good pannier bag is worth investing in. They will last longer, tend to have more secure fittings and can be properly waterproof (no one wants to get to work with wet clothes). I get on well with this one: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-urban-dryline-20-pa... Never comes loose on the rack yet the quick release system means its a doddle to remove once I get to the office.

[TheInternet]

If you are riding in all weathers the Ortliebs are hard to beat - every other bike commuter has them around here. If you can find a way of just buying one instead of a pair you'd be fine. A (smaller) front one would probably do.

[jamiebae]

I use one of these, admittedly I'm mainly a fair--weather commuter but it has been well up to the job of keeping everything dry when the roads are wet.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-arc-20-roll-top-pan...

[Devil2575]

Rucksack. I don't want to attach stuff to my bike that I'd want to remove when going for a non-commute ride.

[Kell]

I have a Brompton for my commute (about 9.5 miles) and I thought about getting one of those front fitting bags.

Great idea if you're pootling along in your suit and don't want to get a sweaty back.

But I do try to press on on my bike, and I figure that those bags would just act like a parachute on the back of a dragster.

So I carry on with my rucksack. Works fine for me as I think I'd be a sweaty mess regardless.

[TwistingMyMelon]

10 miles commute each way, country lanes and sometimes briddleway:

Rucksack:
+Cheap and easy
+Can jump off bike at work and go to desk/showers without faffing about
+If I stop at shops, jump off, not worry about somthing else to get nicked
+Nothing to remove from bike if I use bike for club rides at weekend
+Works with every bike
+ adds extra reflection on night ride home

- Can bounce around when empty, pull you back off seat when full
- On my mtbs/hybrids its OK but on road bike it knocks my position out a bit and I never feel right with it on
- sweaty back in spring summer
- Straps can affect lungs on steep climbs
- Affects aero, only noticeable on fast long straight bits in wind etc

Panniers:
+ Much More comfy
+ Carry more & SPread the weight
+ slightly quicker commute time
+ Bike actually felt more steady at times, until you need to swerve!

-More pricey than rucksack
-More faffing, pita at shops and when I get to office
- Puts lots more pressure I found on rear wheel and tyre, I wrecked a 25c tyre and finished off a wheel using panniers. TBF the wheel was cheap but you need a sold high spoke rear wheel with 28c+ tyre on
-If they break off, can throw bits in wheel which is messy
- Not great if you have to swerve for somthing
- Stuff gets more bounced around

Now I try and avoid both, and carry as little as possible and put it all in my back pockets, which is the best option. Leave all clothes and food at work and just carry basics/

Panniers are a no brainer on longer rides, I find a rucksack easier on 15 mile or under each way commutes