Backpack or Messenger bag?

ABG

Neither; I use a rack trunk on a rear rack. Nashbar.com has some really cheap ones that are good quality - I got mine for $15 (plus $7 shipping), though I think that was a special and the price has gone up. At that price it was a steal. Hell I bring my rack trunk bag to work on days I DON'T bike in, using it like a messenger bag, I like it so much.

I have been thinking about adding panniers for days that I need more room - mostly rainy days when I have to pack rain gear and boots, go to the beach, or buy a few groceries - but I have been balking at the expense, I haven't found them for cheaper than $35. I wouldn't mind buying metal-cage panniers that are cheap, since panniers can come on and off easily - but I have only seen metal-cage panniers on really old bikes, like 3-speed crusiers, so maybe they just don't make these anymore. Maybe I could improvise some plastic "panniers" from storage containers and coathangers? Hmm.

SEAcarlessTTLE

Re metal basket-style panniers, I think Wald still makes them, but I'm not sure about their cost, design, etc. Google around.

I also know there are lots of folks out there who have home-made panniers made from plastic containers, so search around for instructions on the web. (Google is the net's answer to duct tape.)

Although I normally commute w/ panniers (Can't beat the capacity and low center of gravity), I like a small rack trunk for recreational rides...can't fit my spare tire elsewhere, and my pump mount broke in a crash, so that goes in there, too.

slcbob1

If you opt for a trunk bag....

Look closely at Topeak. If you also get a compatibe Topeak rack, it mounts and dismounts VERY easily with a slide and click. Beats bothering with the four little velcro doo-dads for the universal mount. Really nice if you have to take the reack on and off daily, like where you park.

They have frame mount and seat post mount versions of the rack available. Also have a couple of different bag models, some of which have micro panniers that expand out of the otherwise pretty useless side pockets.

I was very happy with it and still use it on some rides. But I no longer use it on my commute. I got a free set of panniers, which come in handy because I occasionally lash my laptop to the top of the rack. That's hard to do with the trunk bag in the way. The trunk bag only works with little things.

So the net of my position:

-- If you insist on bagging it, messenger bag.
-- If you can, don't use a bag. Use a rack, with either bungee, trunk, pannier, suiter, etc. sized to your load.
Anything to get weight off your back, for three reasons: 1) sweat; 2) lower cg; 3) no weighty straps pulling on you.

mrkott3r

If you're still considering a messenger bag, also look at bailey works and Reload bags.

Both are just as hot as chrome, (with reload you can do a lot of customization) but both are deeper which means you can pack more stuff in.

I still haven't decided on my next bag, I got a lemond messenger bag on the cheap, to see how they go but now its begininng to fall apart so Im gonna buy something else.

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Ike90

Well, I'll weigh-in in favor of a good quality backpack. I often carry a laptop, and I always have a basic tool kit, so weight is factor. I've found that panniers/trunk racks affect handling more than a backpack. I have an O'gio pack with a waistbelt and a sternum strap. It stays put, even on singletrack.

Regarding sweat and backpacks, my back sweats anyway, and when I arrive at my destination, I don't have to mess with attached luggage.

Courier bags? Useless, except for carrying court documents, or looking "mod" I guess.

So Cal commuter

for me, it's messenger bag, also the Chrome metro. Used my backpack the other day, I dont know how I did it. It was so annoying. Get the messnger bag, if youre not going to do a rack.

tumbleweed77

backpack is definatly the way to go here... just got a really great one from target, it's made by jansport but the name is trans.... it's got awsome padded shoulder straps that are filled with this plastic jelly stuff. the back is padded and mesh so sweat doesn't soak through, it's got 2 main compartments and 2 smaller ones, 2 waterbottle pockets on the side and waist and chest straps... it even has straps to compress the backpack...the only bad thing is that it's like a bottomless pit... you can fit so much into it you have to be carful w/ the weight, but it adjusts to however much stuff you put in it.

backpacks don't move around at all and the last thing i need is to swerve or make a sharp turn and have my bag slip from it's position. backpacks are like an extension of the body

bikelet

Yeah, i go either with a rack or backpack. At the moment, a good backpack cos i can't reconcile myself to putting a rack on my charger . But yeah a rack doesn't make u sweat but it's a pain when ur going uphill or trying to maneuvre the backwheel with any agility. I tried a messenger style bag but one of my shoulders is lower than he other and the strap kept falling off or trying to; was VERY annoying.