Backpack for a commute

tippgod

Hi all
with the summer coming i am thinking of cycling to work (15miles away). What volume backpack do people use. i will only need a change of clothes and a towel because my shoes are stored at work.

was looking at the following but dont know if they are bigger enough/too big
both are around €60 and 12l-16l

Salomon Trail 20 Backpack 2013
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=87226

Deuter Race X 2013
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=88934


any other recommendations/thoughts

thanks

Dermot Illogical

I got my last one from Aldi or Lidl and it's lasted me 2 years. Same distance and carrying needs as you've described. If the upcoming (I hope) Aldi special doesn't have them I'll have to consider something else, but I think the Aldi one comes in around €12 or something silly like that.
One very nice thing about it is that the main bag is separated from your back to stop sweat getting in and fouling up your change of clothes.

Seweryn

tippgod wrote: »

Hi all
with the summer coming i am thinking of cycling to work (15miles away). What volume backpack do people use. i will only need a change of clothes and a towel because my shoes are stored at work.

Backpack on commute spins is a very bad idea. I used it when I started commuting, but very quickly realised my mistake. I would not recommend a backpack, unless you commute a very short distance on a hybrid bike.

tippgod wrote: »

any other recommendations/thoughts

This is my bag and I would highly recommend to invest in something similar if you want to enjoy your commute .

Darkglasses

I've been using the Aldi for ages now, works perfectly for me.

Beasty

I used to use a backpack - maybe for a couple of years or so on my 23+km commute. If you have one with a mesh backing it's really not that much bother, and I know a number of people commuting similar or longer distances without any issue

Having said that, I now leave as much as possible at work and make do with a relatively large saddle bag and fill my jersey pockets with rain jacket, spare tubes, phone, cash etc.

tippgod

Seweryn wrote: »

Backpack on commute spins is a very bad idea. I used it when I started commuting, but very quickly realised my mistake. I would not recommend a backpack, unless you commute a very short distance on a hybrid bike.


This is my bag and I would highly recommend to invest in something similar if you want to enjoy your commute .

Where did you get that bag and how much does it hold.?

Seweryn

tippgod wrote: »

Where did you get that bag?

Got it second hand in UK. I was looking to buy a new one, but it is hard to get one, as they are permanently out of stock (or they were when I wanted one).

tippgod wrote: »

and how much does it hold.?

In one word - about 16 litres. In practice - a wallet, spare lights, spare tubes, spare tyre, tools, single use gloves, keys, USB cable to charge the lights - all that stuff go into the side pockets and the small one inside. The main compartment remains for some clothing and some food in general as it obviously depends on circumstances, but I find this bag not too large, but just big enough for my needs.

DirkVoodoo

Personally I don't like things that alter the handling of the bike. My commute is short and I have a deuter back pack which is great. Very comfy, the equivalent weight in a normal backpack is noticeably more cumbersome. Also has a built in rain cover (essential), multiple compartments and easy access pockets

tippgod

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Personally I don't like things that alter the handling of the bike. My commute is short and I have a deuter back pack which is great. Very comfy, the equivalent weight in a normal backpack is noticeably more cumbersome. Also has a built in rain cover (essential), multiple compartments and easy access pockets

What model is it do you know. A friend recommended deuter too me aswell, he has his with years. His is 30L which is too big

Ole Rodrigo

+ 1 on the Deuter race X, as well as commutes I brought one on a credit card tour last year, 12 to 16 L is plenty

DirkVoodoo

tippgod wrote: »

What model is it do you know. A friend recommended deuter too me aswell, he has his with years. His is 30L which is too big

Sorry about that, was posting from a tablet and the boards mobile interface is a little muck.

It's a Deuter Bike 1, I bought it from Rose back in September and it's been fantastic. I take a laptop, books, clothes, shoes and various bits and bobs on my 7km commute each day and I hardly feel the weight at all unless I'm going very hard (rare!). The rain cover has saved my phone and laptop on more than one occasion (pictured there, it's tethered to the bottom where it has a stowaway pouch so you can never misplace it).



I believe my OH has the race x, it's a good bit smaller but much neater on your back if you only need to take a few things (I've been accused of looking like I'm off camping)

BeepBeep67

20% off backpacks online in Great Outdoors until Tuesday, good selection of Deuters, I've a 12+3 myself.

Arthurdaly

I've that exact deuter backpack Dirk has for the past 2 years on 12km commute. Its the perfect size for full set of clothes, towel and some toiletries, pair of shoes. I hardly notice it on my back, it has the rain cover, nice pockets on the side.

Any wouldn't wany any smaller as I would struggle on my casual friday or Monday when I am carrying a bit more.

Worth the money imo.

zing

Am using similar Carradice to Seweryn - bought it from wiggle and had to wait the best part of a month for it iirc. Commute is ~16km each way. Was using a very small backpack (just big enough) from aldi or lidl (i think) but just didn't like having a back on my back (sweating a lot more from it). But what really bugged me about it was the rain cover tended to stick up a bit at the top and partially obscured vision when checking over your shoulder to change lanes, etc..

Apart from the obvious spare tube, tyre levers, repair kit, rain jacket, coil for lock, etc.. that go into the side pockets I bring a tshirt or shirt, pair of jeans, socks & jocks and towel (either a small 'regular' towel or a full sized micro fibre one) and some food ocassionally. And there's usually plenty of room for other stuff if I wanted. Shoes left in work.

Only downside I've found to the Carradice is the mount on the seat post means I can't fit my small saddle bag for weekend spins - been meaning to look around for another but jersey & jacket had plenty of pockets between them to accomodate anything I needed over the winter on those spins.

Seweryn

zing wrote: »

Only downside I've found to the Carradice is the mount on the seat post means I can't fit my small saddle bag for weekend spins - been meaning to look around for another but jersey & jacket had plenty of pockets between them to accomodate anything I needed over the winter on those spins.

Yeah, same problem with the small weekend saddle bag, but I just simply loose the two bolts holding the SQR Clamp and turn in 180 deg to face the front, so I can fit the small saddle bag. Alternatively, a spare tube, levers, etc. just go to the pocket .

t'bear

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Sorry about that, was posting from a tablet and the boards mobile interface is a little muck.

It's a Deuter Bike 1, I bought it from Rose back in September and it's been fantastic. I take a laptop, books, clothes, shoes and various bits and bobs on my 7km commute each day and I hardly feel the weight at all unless I'm going very hard (rare!). The rain cover has saved my phone and laptop on more than one occasion (pictured there, it's tethered to the bottom where it has a stowaway pouch so you can never misplace it).




I believe my OH has the race x, it's a good bit smaller but much neater on your back if you only need to take a few things (I've been accused of looking like I'm off camping)

Deuter is the way forward. I Did suffer with sweaty back syndrome until I got a Deuter. The mesh separation was brill. Holds clothes , lunch, wash bag etc and although it adds a weight I can squeeze a brick of a dell laptop in there when I have to.

Rain over is essential also, nifty idea