Getting rid of the rack and panniers

[scouserinlondon]

Due to adding a baby seat I couldn't keep the pannier rack on, it was too much of a squeeze. I leave the seat with the child and nursery and do my commute with a rucksack.

And I've been pretty surprised by A - how easy it is to carry a rucksack, I thought it would be bad for looking over my shoulder, and B - how much more responsive the bike is with the weight off the back wheel.

I was really worried about a backpack, and despite a slightly sweaty back I'm quite glad I made the move.

Means I have £100 worth of panniers and rack gathering dust but there it is.

Am I a freak or have others noticed this too?

 

[BentMikey]

When not carrying child, don't you put the rucksack in the child seat?

 

[MacB]

I went the other way when I started riding and wouldn't want to go back to a rucksack but it does depend a bit on the bike. My original bike wasn't particularly suited to rack and panniers despite having the necessary mounting points. My subsequent bikes with racks are quite different and would probably feel quite strange without them. Riding style will make a difference as well, but wait for the hotter weather and full on sweaty back syndrome.

 

[scouserinlondon]

When not carrying child, don't you put the rucksack in the child seat?

I leave the seat & a lock at the nursery.

 

[scouserinlondon]

I went the other way when I started riding and wouldn't want to go back to a rucksack but it does depend a bit on the bike. My original bike wasn't particularly suited to rack and panniers despite having the necessary mounting points. My subsequent bikes with racks are quite different and would probably feel quite strange without them. Riding style will make a difference as well, but wait for the hotter weather and full on sweaty back syndrome.

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to a sweaty back, this rucksack is one of those that are meant to hold the pack off your back, but it's still sticky.

 

[BentMikey]

Every time I read these topics, I realise just how very good the Velokraft tailbox I have on my recumbent is. No handling issues at all, and it's more aerodynamic with it on than without, and at 1kg it weighs less than most single panniers on their own.

 

[ianrauk]

Used to ride with a rucksack but really didn't like the sweaty back syndrome. That and a weight on my back.
Rack and 1 pannier (just the 1..good God No I hear people cry!) for me now and much prefer it. Bike is a bit heavier but it means it gives me a nice workout. And it lulls all the commuter racers into a false sense of security.

 

[Holdsworth]

I used to use a bog standard rucksack on my commutes, I hated it as I got a really sweaty back from using it, I am a sweaty bugger anyway but I try to rid myself of things that make it worse. I switched to a Carradice saddlebag as my bike has no mounting for panniers or 'guards. I don't think I'd ever go back to a rucksack ever.

 

[Moodyman]

I went the other way when I started riding and wouldn't want to go back to a rucksack but it does depend a bit on the bike. My original bike wasn't particularly suited to rack and panniers despite having the necessary mounting points. My subsequent bikes with racks are quite different and would probably feel quite strange without them. Riding style will make a difference as well, but wait for the hotter weather and full on sweaty back syndrome.

This is the key issue. My two commuter bikes are suited to carrying a rear load and I get no handling issues even when both panniers are full.

My weekend bike has mudguard mountings, but it's that light, that I wonder how it'd handle with full panniers.

PS - I've gone from rucksack to panniers and wouldn't go back.

 

[frank9755]

I used to use a bog standard rucksack on my commutes, I hated it as I got a really sweaty back from using it, I am a sweaty bugger anyway but I try to rid myself of things that make it worse. I switched to a Carradice saddlebag as my bike has no mounting for panniers or 'guards. I don't think I'd ever go back to a rucksack ever.

I've used a saddlebag for commuting for the last couple of years. The bike handles so much better than with rack / panniers as the weight is in the right place.
I've noticed that in the last year or so they have become much more common on the London commuter run. A couple of years ago I might pass one every few weeks, now it would be a couple a week.

And, as Ian says, a bit of classic looking bike luggage can add insult to injury when roasting would-be speedsters on the Embankment.

 

[biking_fox]

And I've been pretty surprised by A - how easy it is to carry a rucksack, I thought it would be bad for looking over my shoulder, and B - how much more responsive the bike is with the weight off the back wheel.

This was my experience too. Paniers, especially just 1 panier made a very notable difference in bike handling.

When I've only got a little bit of gear to take then the rack top back does work very well, making little difference to the handling but avoiding the sweaty back. I'd probably also rather use two fully laden paniers than 1 large and heavy rucksack. I guess it's mostly down to how much stuff you need to carry.

 

[cyberknight]

I went from 1 rucksack to 2 panniers and i will never go back as it is a lot more comfortable and you do not et the sweaty back .

I have found now i have the room i do carry a lot more tools etc just in case i break down in the middle of nowhere with no shops open , it would be hard to find the LBS open at 3.30 am on a Saturday morning i think they must be lazy not being ..

a, open when i need them ..
b, have a shop on my commute route ...

If i need to carry a minimum amount for going for a ride i have a seatpost bag i just stick on top of the rack.

 

[david1701]

for carrying a laptop, panniers>backpack. I hit myself in the head once with a rucksack which was probably hysterical and nearly made me fall off

 

[Knockoffneil]

Only just got my bike and im too tight to invest in rack and panniers. So I had the rucksack on today and my back was wet through. Nothing a bit of lynx wont cure.

 

[cyberknight]

Only just got my bike and im too tight to invest in rack and panniers. So I had the rucksack on today and my back was wet through. Nothing a bit of lynx wont cure.

My 1st rack was a few quid off ebay with an old rucksack with the handles cut off bungeed to the top.