Help me find a decent rucksack!

[twinkle]

I'm a newbie commuter and am still getting into my groove with regular cycling. I have a 4 mile commute each way and lots of hills and no proper cycle gear yet so I'm often put off by my inability to carry stuff securely or stop myself getting soaked so I end up getting the bus. I debated buying panniers but I'm not using my bike regulary enough yet to warrant the expense plus I don't have access to a bike shed at work and would have to carry the pannier bag a fair way to my office.

Having mulled it through I think a decent cycle rucksack is what I need and 20-25l in size would be perfect (I'm only 5ft so can't have anything huge!). As I'm a newbie I don't no decent brands or where best to buy from so I was hoping that some of you could maybe point me in the right direction?

I've considered a Berghaus Twentyfourseven 25 or 20 but I'm not sure if that's more of a walking sack as it doesn't have a frame or such a great air flow system. My other thought is a Deuter Superbike Rucksack 2008 but it's pricey (£54) and I only want to go to that expense if I'm assured it's worth it.

Thanks for reading! I look forward to heraing from you!

 

[zimzum42]

The Deuter bags are great! Lots of useful pockets and so on, great water bag system, and a rain cover. very sturdily made too....

 

[John the Monkey]

The Edinburgh Bike Co-Op's own brand bags were well reviewed in the last Cycling Plus mag - made by Vaude, apparently.

e.g. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...5&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003154c003119c003128

 

[Wolf04]

The Edinburgh Bike Co-Op's own brand bags were well reviewed in the last Cycling Plus mag - made by Vaude, apparently.

e.g. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...5&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003154c003119c003128

Excellent quality, though the zip on the top pocket came away. They replaced it without any fuss and without query or receipt.

 

[gbb]

I have no experience of those particular rucksacks twinkle, but is see the Berghaus has a 'Comfortable Flow back system.'
I assume this may be similar to my PolarOne rucksack, which has two padded bits that sit on your back. Cos they're raised, air can flow between them...and down your back. The benefit is obvious...less contact area with your back...less heat buildup.
My old rucksack was just a common or garden one...and it was like having an electric fire strapped to you.
The airflow is better with the new one...you still get hot....but not as bad.

 

[srw]

Think again. Rucksacks are horrible things on a bike, which make your back hot and sticky and unsettle your balance. For much less than £54 you could get a pair of cheap panniers with shoulder straps.

You don't need to carry much, anyway - just a change of clothes.

 

[yello]

Deuters and Vaudes both do good cycle orientated rucksacks.

But are you really really sure a pannier is not a better option? It's no more weight to lug a pannier than a rucksack, it depends what you put in it. I have found through experience that rucksacks are uncomfortable when riding and a pannier is a far more convenient (if slightly more naff!) option.

 

[domtyler]

Go for the rack and panniers, ruck sacks will constrict your movement and breathing on a bike which is why you don't see that many people wearing them.

 

[fossyant]

If you have a Decathlon - the Forclaz Air 25 is good ! Waterproof cover, pockets, extra straps, etc and air cooling on the back. Been using mine daily for the past year !

 

[goo_mason]

I have a Berghaus Freeflo 30+10 and for the summer and the road bike I bought a Deuter Race EXP Air.

I'd highly recommend both. The Berghaus is a bigger beast and best suited to a more upright riding position, as it's not so easy to see past if you're bent down in a roadie riding style. I use that on the MTB.

The Deuter is smaller and lighter (though can surprisingly hold quite a lot), and with its streamlined shape it's ideal for not obscuring your view as you look over your shoulder.

Both have water reservoir pockets and built-in rain covers, as well as air-flow backs, plenty of pockets, expansion zips and good sternum and waist straps.

 

[wafflycat]

Go for rear rack and panniers. It is far, far better to carry a load this way than by using a rucksack. Honest.

 

[Notsoblue]

I swapped my old Lowe rucksack for a Crumpler Cheesy Disco courier bag. Depending on how much you want to carry I think they're great. They've got quite a range;

http://www.crumpler.eu/?categroy=Laptop_Bags&page=products&category=2

I chose mine because it has a removable 15" laptop insert, but there are smaller ones available. Courier bags don't hold as much as rucksacks but I find them far more comfortable, the strap accross the chest doesn't restrict my breathing as much as a rucksack.

My bike also has a rack for which I have a pair of Ortlieb panniers that I use if I have to carry more to work than just my laptop. I keep shower supplies and some clothes at work that need to be ferried back and forth every now and again.

 

[biking_fox]

I use a Karrimore Ridge which is 30L.

the important thing is to make sure whatever pack you buy has a waist and chest straps. This takes the weight off the shoulders.

I'm not impressed by any of the back airvent systems, they make a slight difference but you'll still get sweaty. The best I've ridden with was a BigPack which had a mesh against the back and the actual sack curved away and wasn't touching at all. Thsi reduced the volume of the bag though.

Another useful feature is side compression straps, which pull the rucksack into a compact shap no matter what it's carrying. this enables you to see behind you and stops the bag swaying off balance.

The balance is the issue I disliked with paniers. If you only carry enough stuff to require one panier, then the bike is off balance.

 

[goo_mason]

I'm sweaty down my back regardless of whether I'm wearing a rucksack or not, so airflow backs make no difference to me - but I mentioned them in case the prospective user doesn't sweat like he's in a sauna all the time

I would say that the mesh backing and the large gap between my back and the lumpy contents of the rucksack does help comfort-wise though.

 

[twinkle]

Thanks for all the replies- you've given me some really helpful food for thought! I work from home a couple days a week and have to lug in quite a lot of books and things, as well as my gym kit, when I do cycle in so I'd need pretty big panniers. As my mountain bike is only little (as I'm only little) I'm not sure what size of rack/bag I'd need and if that would unsteady me once loaded. The edinburghbicyclecooperative bag looks good- we have a store locally so I may take my bike in to try the bag and also have a chat with them about a suitable rack and panniers. I'm still veering towards a rucksack as I see them as more versitile as I can use it on other occasions too like hill walking and days I take the bus. As a lady I obviously glow instead of sweating (haha!) so I don't need to worry too much about a dripping back!