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Saddle bag or rucksack – what’s best?

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  • February 13, 2017 at 1:13 pm #26779
    barkingfishes

    For the commute – what’s more efficient – carrying tools in a rucksack (which already has a change of clothes in it) or using a saddle bag?

    Does it make any difference adding weight on the bike or to rider?

    And by tools I mean; spare tube, multi-tool, tyre levers, mini-pump – so nothing massively heavy.

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Viewing 9 replies - 16 through 24 (of 24 total)
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  • February 13, 2017 at 8:55 pm #886989
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    barkingfishes

    Thanks everyone – food for

    Thanks everyone – food for thought – I’ll just have to browse more bike web sites … cheeky

    February 13, 2017 at 6:18 pm #886987
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    davel

    Rucksack for me – including

    Rucksack for me – including clothes, laptop and various bits and pieces that I pack, it can weigh 6kgs.

    I’ve never used panniers so wouldn’t fancy whacking all of that onto one, and don’t want to use more than one bag.

    It’s no bother, but I’m a triathlete with more of a swimmer’s build than the archetypal cyclist’s. I only really notice it when I’m on the CX bike and I’ve packed the laptop badly and it digs in halfway down my back…

    If you get a proper bike commuting rucksack (mine isn’t) they seem a bit more intelligent for packing, laptop positioning and air flow so you avoid sweaty backage.

    February 13, 2017 at 4:41 pm #886985
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    LastBoyScout

    I need to carry a laptop, so

    I need to carry a laptop, so I stick everything in a rucksack. Absolutely no point having separate bags.

    I prefer a rucksack to panniers, as I prefer the way the bike handles when flicking through traffic.

    Back gets a bit sweaty, but it’s no real problem for the distance involved.

    If I wasn’t carrying a laptop, I’d still use a small rucksack for putting lunch and stuff in.

    February 13, 2017 at 4:23 pm #886983
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    stifflersmom

    I went from a rucksack to a

    I went from a rucksack to a pannier and wouldn’t go back. Especially in the summer months I find it so much more comfortable. It also gives me more flexibility in terms of what I can bring in and take home from the office. One unexpected bonus is that I’m sure car drivers give me more room when I have the pannier on.

    February 13, 2017 at 3:52 pm #886981
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    hawkinspeter

    I prefer a rucksack to

    I prefer a rucksack to panniers. I’ve got myself a Proviz reflective rucksack which seems nice and comfortable and lights up brilliantly.

    With a rucksack, you don’t need a heavy pannier rack and often a rucksack is lighter than an equivalent pannier bag. However, you get to have a weight on your back which can be uncomfortable if it’s not positioned correctly. I like to think that it trains you to minimise sideways movements if you’ve got a weight on your back.

    February 13, 2017 at 2:12 pm #886979
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    P3t3

    Only reason to use a rucksack
    Only reason to use a rucksack on a road bike is the pleasure of winding up the proper roadie crowd.

    For proper commute work get as much off your back as possible though! If you have a saddle bag then put tools in it. Get a bar bag or panniers and go bag-free if you possibly can, so much nicer. I leave tools in saddle bag but work parking is fairly secure so no worried about tools disappearing.

    February 13, 2017 at 1:58 pm #886977
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    PaulBox

    Can’t stand using a rucksack

    Can’t stand using a rucksack if on a road bike. The only time I’ll use a rucksack is if I have to move my laptop between office & home, I normally leave it in the office if I can.

    We have secure bike parks at my office so leave my saddle bag (with tubes and levers) and lights on my bike. Just carry pump in my pocket as I’ve lost too many to road grime.

    February 13, 2017 at 1:51 pm #886975
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    brooksby

    I always have a pump and a

    I always have a pump and a small tool pouch with spare tube and tools and latex gloves carried in my panniers (the pouch is a Chrome large accessory pouch for those who care).

    I usually have a pair of Carradice A4 panniers – one has the aforementioned, plus diary, pens, HDD, etc, plus a shirt, pants and socks for work.  The other gets stuffed with shopping, outgoing post for the franked mail postbox, etc.

    I occasionally move everything into a Chrome Metropolis bag when the mood takes me (you can stuff more into the bag than the panniers because the panniers are quite boxy, but then you’ve got the weight on you instead of on the bike).

    (Not sure if any of that helps?)

    February 13, 2017 at 1:35 pm #886973
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    BrokenBootneck

    I’ve ditched my saddle bag

    I’ve ditched my saddle bag all in rucksack. Mainly as it’s one less thing to take off the bike. 

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