backpack or panniers?

[young Ed]

i now ride 3-5 days a week to school and back 15 miles in total with 7.5 being in the morning and again in the afternoon
i currently ride wearing this (not as full as in photo)

i find especially now it is warmer i get a rather sweaty back and as showering isn't an option it isn't particularly nice
i already have a rack fitted but am now wondering if i should get a cheap pair of panniers to rectify this problem?
Cheers Ed
P.S:can weigh bag with typical days contents later if you want

 

[Mark Grant]

These are pretty good cheap panniers.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIKE-CYCL...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item258be78d3d
They seem to have loads so don't go too mad bidding.

 

[alans]

Never never a backpack unless it can be successfully attached to a pannier rack.

 

[young Ed]

Never never a backpack unless it can be successfully attached to a pannier rack.

unfortunately i have done many hundreds probably even several thousand miles wearing a rucksack

These are pretty good cheap panniers.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIKE-CYCL...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item258be78d3d
They seem to have loads so don't go too mad bidding.

cheers for the link will keep an eye on it
Cheers Ed

 

[Blurb]

I've got those panniers. Perfect for commuting.
Good basic things which I line with a small bin liner to make totally waterproof on my 50 minute commute. IIRC I got them for around 12-13 pounds. They're not quick release, but hook on and one bungy thing to remove. I actually put an appropriately sized tupperware box in the bottom to keep the shape and found that the added width gives me far fewer close passes.

 

[young Ed]

These are pretty good cheap panniers.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIKE-CYCL...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item258be78d3d
They seem to have loads so don't go too mad bidding.

I've got those panniers. Perfect for commuting.
Good basic things which I line with a small bin liner to make totally waterproof on my 50 minute commute. IIRC I got them for around 12-13 pounds. They're not quick release, but hook on and one bungy thing to remove. I actually put an appropriately sized tupperware box in the bottom to keep the shape and found that the added width gives me far fewer close passes.

thanks chaps will keep an eye out on ebay as said but they are also on the website for £15

@Blurb what do you mean they aren't quick release, they just hook on don't they? how long does it take to just lift it up?
Cheers Ed

 

[Blurb]

It's only a few seconds to lift off but you do need to get your hand round the back to remove the bungee. Bit mucky some times and I did forget to attach it after one shopping trip and it got tangled up in the hub, doh!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I use a rucksack and have a case like the blue one on the floor in this picture on top of the rack.

 

[MikeG]

I've got those panniers. Perfect for commuting.......

We rode Land's End to John O'Groats using those panniers, and with a small adjustment to the straps they not only did the job perfectly well, but there isn't a mark on them. Quick, easy, simple, cheap and reasonably robust. Buy them......and forget having a sweaty back ever again. There is a knack to loading them.......pack something flat and stiff upright against the back of the bag, otherwise there is a danger of the bag squishing itself into a shape which could come in contact with the spokes.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I used a rucksack for years, then decided to give panniers a whirl but I hated them.

I didn't like the way the bike looked with them on, and I didn't like the way it made the bike feel under me.

As for a sweaty back, never had one with my trusty DHB Elsted rucksack, although TBH my commute wasn't the longest by any stretch.

Like so many things in life and cycling, it's horses for courses innit

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I commuted for +5 years using a rucksack that when out mountaineering never gave me a sweaty back, but always gives me a sweaty back when I cycle with it. Then I went over to panniers for a 2 week tour and have never looked back. Much prefer them to a rucksack.

 

[rb58]

I started with panniers. Too much faffing around. So I switched to a rucksack. My commute is 15 miles each way. I use one of the Sports Direct Karrimor Wind 2 which has the mesh between your back and the bag, so not so sweaty.

 

[young Ed]

will give discussed panniers a go when i have the pennies and have paid my debts and report back then
Cheers Ed

 

[Mark Grant]

Someone on CTC selling some cheap panniers
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=85475

 

[Boothy]

I've done nearly 3000 miles commuting with a backpack on. I just don't want to put panniers on my bike. I don't like the look. Fortunately I can shower when I get to work so it's no prob but it can get a bit heavy sometimes. Especially when I need to take my laptop home