Junk in the trunk

[KelOnWheels]

How do y’all prefer to lug your stuff to work and back?

I got a POE Vancouver bag since it’s supposed to be uber-waterproof… but forgot that everything always falls off my shoulders. I spent the whole ride home on Friday hunched over because it felt like the shoulder strap was sliding off. (it probably wasn’t, but it FELT like it.)

So I figured I’d ask the experts. Panniers? Backpack? Very small rack-mounted pack mule? What brands do you like?

[5555624]

Panniers. They keep the center of gravity lower and give me plenty of room. (I’ve got a lot of “junk” in them, too.) Mine are Serratus from MEC (http://www.mec.ca).

[mrkenny83]

Chrome Messenger Bag.

[rcannon100]

Panniers. Trans it brand. Almost like stuff bags. With the yellow rain cover, they have been very dry. Used them for two years. Strap onto the bike rack very solid and easy.

Anything on your back can ultimately lead to back problems. There is also a risk of the strap snagging on something (branch) as you go by.

[vvill]

I just use backpacks, and make sure they have a chest strap (or two, even).

I only carry a backpack on maybe 1 out of 5 or 6 commute days, and it’s just work clothes so it’s not heavy. My day-to-day stuff fits in my pockets/etc.

[jrenaut]

I bring my work-issue laptop back and forth every day in a Chrome backpack. It’s been awesome, though more and more I think I’d like a rack/panniers (which may require a different bike).

[dasgeh]

I haven’t found panniers that work on my ebike. So I’ve bungeed a ratty looking storage-crate to the back. It kinda creates a back to the seat, which is cool. And it holds a lot. Though it definitely screws up the center of gravity.

[americancyclo]

I’m in the chrome bag camp too, but that’s just because my bike doesn’t have eyelets for a rack, and I don’t like the seat post mounted racks. My next full time commuter will have eyelets for fenders and a rack. Will most likely switch to panniers then.

[pfunkallstar]

I’ve been pining for a new chrome bag – my 8+ year old Timbuk2 bag has a nice olive drab color superimposed over the blue and white. I’ve been watching slickdeals for a while now – they never go on sale!

[DaveK]

Rack + panniers (one or two depending on the day). I’m having problems finding fenders that will fit the bike but I’ll crack it at some point. I don’t like wearing anything on my back because I sweat like crazy, but if I do wear something I wear a messenger bag.

[SilverSpring]

Pannier/bag combination. I’ve got this (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-MTX-Trunk-Bag-DX/dp/B000FIAU0C/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1337697538&sr=8-9) or something like it from Topeak and I’ve been quite happy the past three years. The middle part holds lots of clothes and the zip-down panniers hold break-down gear and office junk (alternately, it can hold an entire St. Patrick’s Day dinner and four bottles of wine–just sayin’). Best of all, a strap makes the whole kit and kaboodle easy to carry when I get to my destination.

[Dirt]

I don’t have to haul that much junk. I use either a Thule Messenger bag or an Osprey backpack. I ride different bikes every day depending on my mood or where I’m going and it makes it easier to switch between them.

[KelOnWheels]

Thanks for the advice! I was disappointed that the POE bag isn’t going to work out. I reckon I’ll pop it on the Classified forum once I get something else. I think it would work well for a taller and less slanty shouldered person – the shoulder pad on it is fairly stiff and wide so it wants to fall off me.

Yeah, backpacks seem like they might be sweaty. I was checking out the Timbuk2 Swig pack though which looks nice.

Are the Chrome bags heavy? They look quite cool

REI has $50 off the Ortlieb Back Roller panniers right now… I’m tempted.

[baiskeli]

I use panniers, mainly because a backpack in the summer = a hot sweaty back.

[Dirt]

Shoulder/messenger bags are sometimes hard to get adjusted correctly. I used them for years because I have shoulder issues that make backpacks painful most of the time. For me, a messenger bag has the weight pulling on my sternum rather than on the meat of my shoulders. Getting it adjusted correctly makes all the difference for making it feel secure. I adjusted the strap depending on how heavy/bulky stuff was in the bag. I always rode with the strap fairly tight so the bag was fairly tight across the middle of my back. Most of my messenger bags also have a cross strap that helps keep it centered.

I’m happy that my shoulder has been improving and it lets me use a backpack. As long as it isn’t too hot in the summer time, I like a little extra security.

Rock on.

Pete

[Author]

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