Wearing a rucksack - damages back?

[montage]

I have spent a minutes looking for old posts on this matter, but did rush the search so apologies if this has been covered.

When cycling to college with a depressing amount of books and huuge folders (you know those folders with bits of paper sticking out at every angle, the folders which you fear to tip upside down due to the inevitable waterfall of paper which will emerge from it) I carry them all in a rucksack, as I am unable to (refuse to) fit panniers to my bike (felt z65).

I do feel my back ache towards the end of the 8mile commute. So a number of questions:
Is carrying a heavy bag on the back damaging?
Does being on the drops increase this damage?
Should the bag be higher up, lower down to reduce any damage/ache?
How far do you agree that states rights was the main cause of the civil war? (ok ok....this may be an assignment so I won't be too dissapointed if there is a lack of response to this one)

 

[hackbike 666]

1) No I don't think there has been a thread on this recently.

2) Ironically I had back ache on yesterdays return commute and was glad to get home.

 

[JamesAC]

1) Get panniers
2) Carrying really heavy loads on your back is quite possible: mountaineers do it every weekend. But you should be vertical, with the load high up on your back.
3) Don't know about wars, civil or otherwise.

 

[montage]

I know mountaineers do it etc, but I was thinking about the fact that while cycling I am not vertical etc due to the nature of the bike.

 

[HelenD123]

1) Get panniers
2) Carrying really heavy loads on your back is quite possible: mountaineers do it every weekend. But you should be vertical, with the load high up on your back.
3) Don't know about wars, civil or otherwise.

Aren't lots of rucksacks designed to keep the weight lower i.e. on your hips? You shouldn't be taking the weight on your shoulders.

 

[MadoneRider1991]

i have to ride a 15mile commute to college each way everyday and my backs fine with a rucksack

 

[D-Rider]

I wear a rucksack on my commute although not, I think, as heavy as you describe. I had a bit of back pain following a recent snowboarding holiday but that's eased off despite commuting with the rucksack every day last week.

However.... I stopped wearing a rucksack when motorcycling for fear of coming off and pivotting my back at an unfortunate angle around the rucksack. I'm less worried (rightly or wrongly) about that happening at the lower speeds on my bicycle.

 

[montage]

Aren't lots of rucksacks designed to keep the weight lower i.e. on your hips? You shouldn't be taking the weight on your shoulders.

well its more directly on the back - especially when on the drops

 

[spandex]

If you are not going to use panniers you will need to go to a camping shop and get a good rucksack with loads of back support.

 

[fossyant]

Get a good rucksack with the air flow backs - i.e. the back of the sack rests on big pads. Make sure it's got quality straps and locks at the waste and chest.

Trekking type ones are good.

 

[thomas]

Get a good rucksack with the air flow backs - i.e. the back of the sack rests on big pads. Make sure it's got quality straps and locks at the waste and chest.

Trekking type ones are good.

I've got a new, nice one and it seems fine...carry a weeks shopping back with it. Only go 3.5 miles each way, but I'm sure it'll be fine for longer distances!

 

[fossyant]

I'll happily commute 20 miles with mine - a Forclas 25 from Decathlon. Been using it 18 months and it's been faultless.

There are always two schools - panniers and rucksacks, but like with both, I'd recommend getting a good one of either.

 

[spandex]

I've got a new, nice one and it seems fine...carry a weeks shopping back with it. Only go 3.5 miles each way, but I'm sure it'll be fine for longer distances!

And.....





What is it? as I have 2 grate rucksacks but one is just a day pack size and the over is a 80L that can keep me on the road camping for 3 weeks.

 

[montage]

Well I have an 80litre but seems a little OTT I will check the airflows out, last time I used one of those hiking it snapped though - karrimore was the make

 

[fossyant]

Get ye down to Decathlon if you have one.....try 'em out !