Switching from backpack to panniers?

[Greenbelt]

I’ve always used a backpack. I’ve got a big “triathlete” pack — in the evening, I use the wetsuit compartment at the bottom as a place to stash my sweaty clothes from the morning, so they don’t contaminate everything else. My laptop fits in the main section crossways, so it’s balanced. (I used a shoulder sling pack for a while, but found it too small for winter and also didn’t like that it was hard to balance the weight of my laptop.)

But mostly, I never wanted to put on a rack for panniers on the back because I only had one bike, and that would look uncool for weekend rides. Besides, I figured since I have to carry a large, heavy laptop, with the panniers it would still be hard to keep the weight in rough balance (computer on one side, clothes on the other…)

But with the return of hot weather, plus the fact that I now have 2 bikes, I’m reconsidering. The backpack does hold in a lot of heat.

So I have all the usual questions I suppose: Does the rack alone add noticeable weight, even if I still use my backpack for winter? I see a lot of riders with a pan on one side only — does the bike still handle OK with most of the weight on one side? Does the handling really go down even when the load is balanced? Is it harder to change a rear tire flat with that stuff back there? Is there a setup where clothes can go in the sides, but have a top padded compartment for laptop in the middle on top of the rack for balance?

Topic

[baiskeli]

I am definitely a pan guy. Can’t stand the sweat and weight of a backpack. A pan feels lighter. I notice absolutely no balance problems with having just one.

As for looking cool, I’m too old to give a damn any more. Walking around with a baby carrier put that to rest once and for all.

[StopMeansStop]

So what do yall suggest for carrying groceries? Right now I have an old school rear rack, the kind with the spring loaded flap fornholding books.

I usually request a paper bag and strap the thing on with a bungee cargo net.

Id like to find a way to carry two bags.

[Dirt]

@Joe Chapline 4130 wrote:

@Dirt: another great post. Now I want a front rack.

Glad that helped. If you don’t get out of the saddle much, then rear panniers are fine. Any standing on the pedals makes it much better for me to have the weight on the front wheel.

@eminva 4132 wrote:

Dirt, the hipster skidding contest, as well as the sidewalk riding contest, salmon contest and CaBi fashion contest are all right outside my window on L Street, all day, everyday.

Oh SNAP! I didn’t get that memo. They gave Freedom Plaza back to the bootcamp and skateboarders.

Happy Day!

[Mark Blacknell]

@StopMeansStop 4144 wrote:

So what do yall suggest for carrying groceries? Right now I have an old school rear rack, the kind with the spring loaded flap fornholding books.

I usually request a paper bag and strap the thing on with a bungee cargo net.

Id like to find a way to carry two bags.

I use this. The best part of it is that I can just drop my bags (reusable, plastic, paper – whatever) in without the repacking action that my other panniers require. It’s not perfect, though. I need to source an extension for the strap that keeps it closed/in the upright position so that I can use it as an additional load support when it’s really full/heavy (okay, for when I’m carrying a case of beer and a couple of bottles of wine). And I just *barely* have a foot clearance issue (probably not an issue for most, as my feet are, uh, big.). Even with those issues, this is probably the single most useful utilitarian accessory I’ve ever gotten for my bike. Been using it since 2005, I think.

[Dirt]

@StopMeansStop 4144 wrote:

So what do yall suggest for carrying groceries?

Ortlieb Bike Shoppers. Stupidly expensive but they’re cool! The clip to the side of your grocery cart and work like shopping bags. Between the two, they can carry 4 6-packs, a bottle of rum and some munchies for when you wake up after passing out.

[Joe Chapline]

@Mark Blacknell 4149 wrote:

I use this. The best part of it is that I can just drop my bags (reusable, plastic, paper – whatever) in without the repacking action that my other panniers require. It’s not perfect, though. I need to source an extension for the strap that keeps it closed/in the upright position so that I can use it as an additional load support when it’s really full/heavy (okay, for when I’m carrying a case of beer and a couple of bottles of wine). And I just *barely* have a foot clearance issue (probably not an issue for most, as my feet are, uh, big.). Even with those issues, this is probably the single most useful utilitarian accessory I’ve ever gotten for my bike. Been using it since 2005, I think.

I have Loan Peak Grocery Panniers, which are kind of similar. They have a long enough strap, but I also have to be careful to avoid kicking them with my heel. I have something I like better, although most people won’t want to do it: I keep a collapsible wire mesh basket on one side all the time. I only use one because I need to keep the other side open for my commuter pannier. Upside: the wire mesh baskets are cheap, they ride higher than the bags, so there’s plenty of clearance, and they completely support any grocery bag from the bottom. With it on the bike all the time, I don’t have to know ahead of time if I’m going to stop to buy something. Downside: the baskets are not very easy to take on and off; they rattle some; and I don’t think anyone would consider them cool.

[Riley Casey]

Not sure this really rises to a picture-able offense but I enjoy a bit of low budget bike porn when the opportunity arises. The bungee & the carabiner are just to add some flexibility in load control and to restrain the grocery bag since I long ago broke the snaps that held it closed when not in use. The hooks are visible in the pic but the tension cords at the bottom are not. One nice thing about the whole arrangement with the hooks and carabiner is that when parking in a less than safe area I can, in less than a minute, remove both panniers and carry them over my shoulder in true John Wayne western style like saddle bags.

[Joe Chapline]

@Riley Casey 4155 wrote:

Not sure this really rises to a picture-able offense but I enjoy a bit of low budget bike porn when the opportunity arises. The bungee & the carabiner are just to add some flexibility in load control and to restrain the grocery bag since I long ago broke the snaps that held it closed when not in use. The hooks are visible in the pic but the tension cords at the bottom are not. One nice thing about the whole arrangement with the hooks and carabiner is that when parking in a less than safe area I can, in less than a minute, remove both panniers and carry them over my shoulder in true John Wayne western style like saddle bags.

“Like.” I want a “like” button on this forum, like Facebook.

[Joe Chapline]

@StopMeansStop 4144 wrote:

So what do yall suggest for carrying groceries? Right now I have an old school rear rack, the kind with the spring loaded flap fornholding books.

I haven’t tried these Novara panniers, but they’re getting good reviews on the REI site. The reviews touch on some of the issues that have been mentioned here.

[Joe Chapline]

@eminva 4132 wrote:

This whole thread, especially Dirt’s photo, is making me flash back to middle school when my brother had a paper route and I had to do it for him on the weekends when he went off camping. There were racks and panniers on the front and rear. If I remember correctly they were made out of two by fours and canvas. There was also a messenger bag, but not a cushy Chrome bag, but a huge, flimsy muslin affair. I remember one day when the rig was so heavy I could not get it going, so I had to keep coming back to the house for a refill of newspapers.

@Eminva: Thanks, that takes me back to similar experiences on my paper route. We didn’t have Spandex in those days; that must be why the bike wouldn’t move.

[Dirt]

@Joe Chapline 4157 wrote:

I haven’t tried these Novara panniers, but they’re getting good reviews on the REI site. The reviews touch on some of the issues that have been mentioned here.

I went to REI to buy those and came out with the Ortlieb’s that I mentioned below. The REI ones look like they’d be really nice and easy to use for shopping stuff.

[Brock]

@Riley Casey 4155 wrote:

…I can, in less than a minute, remove both panniers and carry them over my shoulder in true John Wayne western style like saddle bags.

See, now we need pics of THAT. Giddyup!

[Brock]

I suspect you’ve got all the info you need by now, but I’ll toss in one more for panniers. I hated having that weight on my back all the time.

While you’re at it, get yourself a decent cargo bungee net. I can’t find it on their site, but I got a Topeak at my LBS. I keep that attached to my rack at all times. It’s held up well to abuse, it hasn’t been stolen – and it’s cheap enough that I’m willing to risk it, because the utility is worth it. I use the thing all the time when I don’t expect to be picking anything up.

Great example: earlier this week we lost power, and it hadn’t come back on my the time I was headed home. I stopped at the grocery store and rode home with two 8-pound bags of ice strapped to the back, to save the stuff in my freezer.

[brendan]

Or there’s the going too far option some of us have chosen: a Surly Big Dummy (or some other xtracycle setup). I keep some dry bags in the side pockets in case I have to bring something home in the rain that shouldn’t get wet.

Brendan

[Riley Casey]

I knew that post was a mistake :p

@Brock 4170 wrote:

See, now we need pics of THAT. Giddyup!

[Author]

Replies