My commute consists driving the car for 21 miles, then pulling the bike out & riding the remaining 12 miles (with traffic) in to work. We have showers at work, but I'm tired of arriving sweaty & the backpack gets stinky pretty quick. Also, the evening ride back to the car means I'm driving 21 miles home in gooey bike clothes. Messenger bags don't seem to offer any benefits over a standard backpack, except that maybe you can swing'em around to get at stuff. And I don't need to do that.

I commute on two different bikes: an urbanized mtn bike or a racing-style road bike. The mtn bike is easy, 'cuz it has eyelets for fenders & a rear rack. I have a rack pack I can use on it, & I might consider panniers if I start riding it more. I only choose this bike if it looks like I'll get rained on during the ride back to the car. Last summer I probably used this bike only 10% of the time.

The road bike is the problem, 'cuz it's got tight geometry & tiny clearances with no eyelets whatsoever. I have no desire to fixture any kind of rack onto this bike, so rack packs & panniers are not something I'm considering. When I get around to trading this bike in for a more useful "road sport" or "light touring" bike, I'll probably mount up fenders & a rack. That means panniers are in the future for serious commuting & bike trips. But for now, on the bike I have, a transverse seat bag is really my only other consideration besides a backpack. The English-style seat bags mount to the rear of the saddle (either to the rails or to metal "bag loops" built into the saddle), & stick out sideways (the wide way).

Thanks to all for the great info. Sorry I wasn't able to respond to everyone's fantastic comments today.

posted by 146.82.1...

The bag I'm leaning towards

• OT: Bicycle saddle bags vs backpacks, Eiron, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 15:21:43
  • A bit more detail, perhaps?, Eiron, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 14:14:02 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: A bit more detail, perhaps?, JimBlake , Thu, 13 Jan 2005 08:33:31
    • Re: A bit more detail, perhaps?, kaslop, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:07:30
  • Done both...lots! (a bit long), ChuckD , Wed, 12 Jan 2005 11:15:14
    • On pack postion and riding style, ChuckD , Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:08:04
    • Similar conditions, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 12:06:08
    • Re: Done both...lots! (a bit long), Schu, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 04:53:24
      • Re: Done both...lots! (a bit long), kaslop, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:01:23
        • Lumbar packs!, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:32:46
  • Re: OT: Bicycle saddle bags vs backpacks, JimBlake , Wed, 12 Jan 2005 09:22:57
    • Actually ....., Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 11:50:10
      • Re: Actually ....., JimBlake , Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:45:32
  • Re: OT: Bicycle saddle bags vs backpacks, SeeVTSaab, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 09:14:55
    • Parking the Saab, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 10:20:26
  • I prefer a backpack. Here's why..., water dog, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 06:46:12
    • Interesting, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 10:09:45
  • So it's down to Panniers vs Saddle Bags, Schu, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 04:05:09
    • Actually, it's Panniers vs Backpacks vs Messenger Bags!, Eiron, Fri, 14 Jan 2005 08:23:30
  • Re: OT: Bicycle saddle bags vs backpacks, Mike in Anchorage, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 18:24:01
    • I'd like to get a BOB trailer, but ....., Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 09:56:27
    • One thing about trailers, Schu, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 04:02:38
  • Re: OT: Bicycle saddle bags vs backpacks, kaslop, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:33:30
    • image no work, kaslop, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:39:38
  • Re: OT: Bicycle saddle bags vs backpacks, gorper, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:58:54
    • One of my co-workers uses front panniers only, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 08:59:33
  • I was just thinking that, Schu, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:47:00
    • More often when I work closer to home, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 08:54:16
    • Re: I was just thinking that, Dan , Tue, 11 Jan 2005 18:24:39
      • Good ideas Dan and t_mokes, Schu, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 03:57:49
        • Only half serious!, Eiron, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 11:10:07
    • Re: I was just thinking that, t_mokes, Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:29:12
      • Tired of toughing it out, Eiron, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 08:47:08
        • Re: downtown Seattle for about 3 miles each way, t_mokes, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:04:13

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: Everything's expensive in NYC..., Bob M, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 14:07:34
• Next by Date: OT: Ebay fees go up 60-100% !!, TML, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 14:25:53
• Main General Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)