Getting rid of the rack and panniers

[BlackPanther]

I did try using a rucksack, but it was a big squeeze to get work clothes/waterproofs/lunch etc in. Sweat wise, the ride to work wasn't too bad......it's colder and I always take it easy so I don't get too hot. On the way home though I like to take it up a notch (or 10) to get a good work out, and my back was completely soaked! I now have a quick release seat post mounted pannier rack on the road bike. It weighs slightly more than a conventional rack system but I can whip it off in a few seconds if i want to go for a fast ride at the weekend.

 

[Piemaster]

Depends on where I'm going and what for, even on the bike with the rack. The chain+lock lives in a frame bag so is always on the bike anyway. If it fits comfortably in the rucksack and is light I'll take that, if not panniers.
Errands into town is generally rucksack as I dislike carrying the bikebins about with me as they are a bit awkward.
Horses for courses

 

[Plax]

I hated the rucksack. Sweaty back and I found I sometimes got a pain between the shoulders if I had a lot to carry. I tend to use a Carradice saddlebag now. I have to on the winter hack anyway as it has no rack. On the tourer I flit between the panniers and saddlebag depending on what I have to carry but tends to be the saddle bag as I'm not a big fan of using a single pannier.
On the road bike I've managed to get minimum tools, some deoderant, a comb and a t-shirt and pair of trousers wedged into a large bum bag as it has some pull cords on the front.

 

[coffeejo]

I've now got a cheap rack and a basket that I found in a charity shop (£2!!) and went out twice today - first to the shops, bought more than I meant to and was surprised when I lifted my bag out of the basket at the weight, as I'd barely noticed it while cycling. Then I went out again later with the dog and was able to take the camera and my phone without hauling round a rucksack.

Sweaty back ... gone and not missed!

 

[Pisquee]

I have one of these...

strapped to one side of my rack - folds away into nothing when not need, and into quite a decent size basket to drop a bag/things into, so I can take a normal bag with me, not a clip-on pannier thing, or if I do any impromptu shopping, can just drop the carrier bag into it.

(It's a Basil Catania)

 

[delport]

A 25 litre rucksack as a pannier.

This is the way i use my rucksacks.
It cost £2- to add hooks, and i still have a proper rucksack, the straps, still intact, are tucked in the pockets as can be seen.

 

[stevetailor125]

I have a set of panniers on a rack that fit onto the saddle stem, i put them on if going shops and the whole rack comes off in seconds. When they are not on I have a tool bag that clips under the saddle with my wet weather gear clipped to it and there is always a first aid kit in a cross bar bag

 

[funnymummy]

It cost £2- to add hooks, and i still have a proper rucksack, the straps, still intact, are tucked in the pockets as can be seen.

Tell me more... What are these hooks & where can I get them..?

 

[DrSquirrel]

When I went from a rucksack to a beam rack (with rack bag on top, no air drag), it was lovely to not have anything on the back... my guess is the difference feels good, rather than the bag itself.

Saying that, the only problem I get with the rucksack really is myself fidgeting with it, and I certainly don't like it on the 20 mile rides home.

 

[fossyant]

Much prefer a rucksack myself, but my shoulder injury forced me down the pannier route. Won't (can't) go back now. If I do use a rucksack it has to be as light as possible !

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I've just bought a Charge Lazy Susan for Mrs 3BM and a lovely bike it is too, it has an integrated rack with a varnished plywood top to it

 

[mgarl10024]

I went from Packsack to Panniers and wouldn't be without them. I'm heavy enough as it is without adding more weight to my back! I once weighed my packsack (on a day when I was taking an unusually large load in) and it was 1st1lb - that's a big difference.

The panniers don't look so great, and there's a minor affect on handling (especially in windy weather), but the freedom they give you is worth it IMO.

Finally, watch out for girlfriends when you go cycling together who say "oh, can you just pop this, that, and this other thing in those panniers..." - they're not the ones hauling the stuff around, and they know this.

 

[2Loose]

I had panniers on the last bike, but have switched to a rucksack with an 'airflow' frame to hold the bag off of my back to help prevent sweaty back syndrome and hip supports to help take some of the weight away from my shoulders. So far so good.

I don't need to carry stuff everyday so really didn't like the idea of always carrying a rack, whether I needed it or not.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I do like my panniers. I have two and they are both full. One is a computer bag/rucksack/pannier containing work stuff and the other is a cheap pannier containing clothes, lunch, inner tube, pump, batteries, etc. I like the fact that they look completely lop-sided; one sits much higher than the other, so I can't possibly become obsessive about symmetry. They do affect handling when I go over speed bumps, though.

I have a rack permanently on the bike and that's good too. It was £4.99 from Aldi, is really sturdy and has a spring loaded clip so I can easily carry small things without any faffing about.

 

[nunny]

Tell me more... What are these hooks & where can I get them..?

I'd also like to know this, looks like a good idea