Replacing backpack with...

randomstuff · 02-04-2014 8:07pm #1

Looking for something to replace my backpack due to sweaty back.

Would like a front rack/porteur, something along the lines of: http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/05/05/pass-stow-racks/

Then also some sort of bag that I can mount/unmount onto the front rack, I will be mainly transporting laptop/books + a couple days a week some grocery's. It would need a strap for carrying around college too. This http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/09/24/freight-baggage-rack-bag/ looks good, but not sure if it does have a strap to carry around off of the bike.

Not sure if this combo is the best. Open to suggestions.

Thanks

t'bear · 02-04-2014 8:44pm

randomstuff wrote: »

Looking for something to replace my backpack due to sweaty back.

Would like a front rack/porteur, something along the lines of: http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/05/05/pass-stow-racks/

Then also some sort of bag that I can mount/unmount onto the front rack, I will be mainly transporting laptop/books + a couple days a week some grocery's. It would need a strap for carrying around college too. This http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/09/24/freight-baggage-rack-bag/ looks good, but not sure if it does have a strap to carry around off of the bike.

Not sure if this combo is the best. Open to suggestions.

Thanks

I can't comment on your suggestions but have a look at dueter bags. Had one but no longer use it as don't commute. Holds bigish laptop and change of clothes and has raised mesh back to prevent your problem

aFlabbyPanda · 02-04-2014 11:31pm

How about either of these? http://www.zyro.co.uk/altura/products/versas

I was tempted to get the messenger bag to replace my pannier but I like having the large space. If you are planning on putting shopping in it I don't think anything you get to double as a backpack will be large enough.

bambergbike · 03-04-2014 12:15am

I have one of those Deuter rucksacks and it's comfortable for hiking, but ferociously uncomfortable on the bike, and not sweat-free, either. At the moment I've got a load of weights in it and am using it as a weighted rucksack for Achilles strengthening exercises, so I do have a certain amount of faith in it, just not for cycling.

I also had a basket on the back of my bike for a while, it was handy enough around town to just be able to drop any random bag in there are be ready to go. But every once in a while I would cycle off to make family visits, and that always seemed to involved cycling down a long corkscrew hill, and one snowy night I decided that the centre of gravity was just too high and that I was never doing it again. So I ditched the basket and got panniers. They are regular Ortlieb back roller panniers - grand for hauling overnight/touring luggage or shopping, but rubbish to carry around all day off the bike. For that, if I needed it and the budget ran to it, I would be looking at something like this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ortlieb-office-bag-plus-large-panniers-ql2-mount

cdaly_ · 03-04-2014 12:49am

I use this Deuter rack pack on a rear rack. Would probably fit a front rack also. 10 litre capacity which is loads of room without being so much that I end up carrying the whole house around. Pretty quick to fit with velcro straps and a shoulder strap.

650Ginge · 03-04-2014 7:26am

cdaly_ wrote: »

I use this Deuter rack pack on a rear rack. Would probably fit a front rack also. 10 litre capacity which is loads of room without being so much that I end up carrying the whole house around. Pretty quick to fit with velcro straps and a shoulder strap.

Op that rack you linked to is a monster of a rack.

Not sure if it's an issue but if you commute a distance a rear each his less drag and depending on shape clean the air over the rear.

cdaly_ · 03-04-2014 12:18pm

cdaly_ wrote: »

I use this Deuter rack pack on a rear rack. Would probably fit a front rack also. 10 litre capacity which is loads of room without being so much that I end up carrying the whole house around. Pretty quick to fit with velcro straps and a shoulder strap.

Forgot to mention, I use a panier also to bring a week's worth of work clothes in on a Monday.

QueensGael · 03-04-2014 12:25pm

Agree on the rear rack idea - the front one looks like it weighs a tonne!

If you do go for that, here's a really nice pannier which can be used as a messenger bag when you're off the bike. They're very roomy, very well built, and will hold the laptop, spare shirt and a small amount of groceries.

http://www.newlooxs.nl/en/collectie/kantoor-schooltassen/postino-office-bisonyl/5128/

You can get them in Freewheeling in Pearse Street, Dublin (slightly different design)
http://freewheeling.ie/index.php/accessories/panniers.html

If you're doing a lot of groceries, I'd recommend getting a basket, very easy to throw a canvas bag of shopping into it.

randomstuff · 03-04-2014 5:28pm

Thanks for all the replies.

I don't want a rear rack for the reason that when I'm carrying my laptop, I'd want to keep an eye on it, going through the city. Also, I feel it would have a less of a chance to get beaten up by potholes if it was up front.

So far I like the Altura Versa range, but would like for it to be mountable up front and for them to be a bit bigger in volume.

Am I after something that doesn't exist?

Would I be able to maybe just use a regular messenger type bag, and when on the bike strap it down to the front rack? The only problem with that is straps getting caught in the wheel...

Ole Rodrigo · 03-04-2014 5:37pm

I think your best option is a rear pannier with the laptop buried and hard to get at. It will be safer than you think, once it is secured on the rack.

Or ask your sysadmin for a light, notebook style one ? I leave mine in work overnight, but a lot of colleagues who travel regularly complain about the weight of regular laptops and have since received Lenovo X201s. Very nice.

OldBean · 03-04-2014 6:09pm

I'm on the mobile, so links are a bit awkward, but I have a Velo Orange Pass Hunter front rack with a Campagne handlebar bag. The bag itself would be a bit small, but their Grand Cru bag would be a perfect size - http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/bags-panniers/grand-cru-front-handlebar-bag.html

They all take shoulder straps AFAIK. One really handy thing about the VO rack is it comes with an integrated decaleur. Bring your bag to your nearest cobbler, or if you have your own leather punch to put the holes in the bag, screw in the bar, and you've a hell of a lot of stability.

I only have experience of the VO products, but Nitto and Giles Berthoud should have similar, as well as Carradice's range of saddlebags.

aFlabbyPanda · 03-04-2014 6:12pm

I don't think the rack placement will matter to the smoothness of the ride tbh.

You could always just lock it to the rear pannier if you were worried about something trying to lift it away.

OldBean · 03-04-2014 6:21pm

I did some research* before getting my front rack, and apparently depending on the trail of your bike, it may affect the handling, particularly at lower speeds. Low trail bikes are best for front loads, high trail, not so much. The tradition (Again, apparently) was that French bikes were low trail, hence had the weight on the front with porteur racks, etc, and English built bikes had better stability with rear loads with saddlebags and panniers.

*Various googling. YMMV.

randomstuff · 03-04-2014 8:13pm

OldBean wrote: »

I'm on the mobile, so links are a bit awkward, but I have a Velo Orange Pass Hunter front rack with a Campagne handlebar bag. The bag itself would be a bit small, but their Grand Cru bag would be a perfect size - http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/bags-panniers/grand-cru-front-handlebar-bag.html

They all take shoulder straps AFAIK. One really handy thing about the VO rack is it comes with an integrated decaleur. Bring your bag to your nearest cobbler, or if you have your own leather punch to put the holes in the bag, screw in the bar, and you've a hell of a lot of stability.

I only have experience of the VO products, but Nitto and Giles Berthoud should have similar, as well as Carradice's range of saddlebags.

That rack looks nice. I do have cantis. But then the issue is the bag, not sure how I feel about that Grand Cru bag, and generally those types of bag. They probably wouldn't fit a laptop and a couple books.

kumate_champ07 · 03-04-2014 8:55pm

I got a Dueter from Wiggle or CRC, it has thick padding covered in mesh with some space in the centre for airflow, also has a little zip pocket at the bottom with a high viz cover that comes out. I still get a sweaty back if Im pedaling hard but its an improvement over any other typical backpack

Jabel · 04-04-2014 7:05am

It's so goddamned ugly OP it should be in the 'post images of ugly' thread...

Sorry for being unhelpful but it had to be said

Replacing backpack with...

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