Rucksack or Messenger Bag?

[Sittingduck]

Normal backpack. Messanger bags are a bit try-hard, unless you're a messenger, of course.

 

[Keith Oates]

I go for the rucksack and have no problems.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Brains]

Panniers

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I use a rucksack everyday, I prefer the weight to be on me rather on the back of the bike, I did have a rack on the commuter and tried a rack top bag for a while but couldn't get on with it and switched back to the rucksack. The sweaty back doesn't bother me as I have a shower at work

 

[hennbell]

I use a messenger bag in the colours of Celtic. I have a medium and a large. I use the medium every day to carry lunch, tools, and a change of clothes. If I have to carry anything else I need to switch to the bigger bag.

 

[Archeress]

If you like the idea of panniers, but want to ride the bike at times without a rack spoiling the lines of the bike, take a look at the Altura Arran Expanding Post Bag. It has a metal frame in the bag which connects to a small Rixen Kaul bracket on the seat post. My roadie can still look like a roadie, but I can carry flask, butties, tools etc when I want.

Hugs
Archeress x​

 

[raleighnut]

Ditto the Topeak beam rack.

 

[si_c]

Slightly different take on this, so sorry for the potential thread hi-jack! I've got to get a new bag at some point in the near future, I'm just using a satchel bag at the moment, which is ok for small amounts of stuff, but hopefully from next month my commute is going to be quite a bit longer, so am going to need something more substantial. I've used rucksacks in the past, and been quite happy, but I haven't used one since breaking my right clavicle.

Given the plate in my shoulder, I'm worried about rucksacks being uncomfortable on longer rides, so was thinking about a messenger bag instead; any suggestions?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Normal backpack. Messanger bags are a bit try-hard, unless you're a messenger, of course.

Bollocks

 

[gaz]

I've got carradice, pannier bags, trunk bags, back packs and messenger bags.

Usually use the messenger bag in the winter, back doesn't get sweaty, easy access to everything and somewhere to attach a light.
Summer I will use pannier bags. can put a weeks worth of clothes in, take it in on monday, bring back on friday, means I can ride bag free for the rest of the week.
day drips I will use the carradice, fit in everything I need, no sweaty back and no big panniers.
truck bag is used if I need to carry anything i wouldn't put in panniers due to weigh shift.
i only wear a backpack when mtbing, water reservoir!

 

[Pottsy]

Crumpler messenger bag on the bike - functional, hard wearing, waterproof, looks cool.

Panniers for touring of course and backpacks for trekking.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

I have used a DHB rucksack exclusively for the last couple of years however this week have been using a Madison 9 two five messenger bag and am getting on with it pretty well. In theory it holds less than the DHB but due to the cavernous middle compartment you can get a lot more in. It sits high on my back and is really comfy, doesn't slip round at all. I like wearing both but I think the Madison has the edge at the moment.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Panniers (or front bag, on a Brompton) every time. Put it in a case if you're worried about it.

 

[Sittingduck]

Do the messenger bags stay put and not slip around? I expect them to be like paperboy bags, for some reason...

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Do the messenger bags stay put and not slip around? I expect them to be like paperboy bags, for some reason...

The one we have in the house has a chest strap (goes under the left armpit from what I remember) that stops this.

I carry an ipad in a rucksack every day and have no problems with it. I'm going to sweat whatever and have access to a shower so that doesn't bother me. Don't want to have to worry about panniers being left on the bike, or faffing around with them.