Source
r/cycling•
Lex_Orandi

Backpack or Panniers for Commuting?

Recently started commuting to work a few days a week and have been using my laptop bag to haul my essentials. Riding home last night I had a decent headwind almost the entire way and my backpack might as well have been a sail it slowed me down so much. Before I go out and put a rack on my bike, I was hoping to hear from some of you with more commuting experience.

For those that commute, do you use a backpack or pannier(s)? I can’t find anything that definitely says which one creates less drag (particularly when commuting in windy conditions) and I’d very much like to minimize the odds of repeating last night’s hellacious ride.

*While not the plural of data, anecdotes are very welcome.

Posted Aug 9, 2022, 6:39 PM UTC

122
rcybak•

I think if your commute is over 5km, then panniers are the way to go. Having weight on your bike as opposed to on your body makes a big difference in comfort. There are other trade offs, such as your rear tire will wear more quickly with the added weight of panniers, if they are heavy enough, but, again, keeping the weight off your back is worth it. Headwinds are terrible for riding in no matter how you are hauling your personal belongings around, so I'm not sure the backpack was your issue.

8
Lex_OrandiOP•

Comfort is a good call out, too. The straps definitely try to keep my back more upright than I’d like.

And yeah, it’s a 15km one-way commute, so good call there, as well

2
ArithAnon•

I do 15km with a backpack each way and it works fine for me - that’s with an Ortlieb Packman Pro 2 and a more ‘aggressive’ bike 🤷‍♂️

3
Lex_OrandiOP•

Do you stay in a more ‘up’ position, or are you getting down on the hoods/drops when you’re wearing your backpack?

1
ArithAnon•

Both depending on the situation - I’ve got the shoulder and waist straps adjusted to keep it tight to my body so it doesn’t really move even with 6/7kg of work stuff in there!

2
WaveIcy294•

How is the sweat production with that rucksack? It got some bumps as padding that theoretically produces airflow but I never had one where that worked.

1
ArithAnon•

I’d say it’s no different than without a bag, on a sunny day it’s quite nice that the bag covers your back!

The pads definitely absorb sweat so they can be a little damp when I get to work, but, the 3D mesh dries very quickly and is easy to wash.

1
kevfefe69•

I tried a backpack when I first started commuting years ago. Dropped that and purchased panniers. The sweat and stench in the backpack was enough for me to spend the money. I find that Ortlieb are great and I live in the PNW.

3
Lex_OrandiOP•

Thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t gotten to the sweat-stank point with my backpack just yet, so preventing it sounds like a good life choice.

1
oowo89ah•

No backpack

2
NewcRoc•

I get the best of both worlds with my Two Wheel Gear hybrid backpack/pannier. https://www.twowheelgear.com/collections/pannier-backpacks

It came with a hi vis rain cover too.

2
Lex_OrandiOP•

Looks like a solid hybrid solution. I’ll have to do some more research on my options.

2
Im_Dying_Again•

Used backpack the first days of me commuting to work. So glad I got a pannier, a game changer for me. So much more comfortable since I have a laptop and a lunchbox with me when commuting every day. Doing 10km each way.

2
Few_Understanding_42•

Backpack on carrier, with carrier straps.

2
oowo89ah•

For the Domane, Trek has a Bontrager Backrack Deluxe MIK

582184 on the Trek site 👍

Perfect fit, for removable top bag, or good side Paniers / bags Like the waterproof bags from Ortlieb 👍

2
Lex_OrandiOP•

Wow, really went the extra mile here, kind stranger. Thank you!

2
Fun_Apartment631•

Given your comment about the distance - panniers, probably. For me, about a half hour one way or a stiff climb is when I want them.

2
oowo89ah•

On what bike ??

1
Lex_OrandiOP•

Domane AL5

1
oowo89ah•

On what bike ??

1
soy_addled_mind•

Backpack is faster than a pannier. Never switching back to a backpack though, just too sweaty and uncomfortable.

1
lexikon318•

I tried panniers for a bit on my hybrid bike…. Then I bought I road bike that I was planning to only use for endurance rides.

Eventually I decided i enjoyed riding that bike so much more that I’ve been commuting with it and a backpack since.

1