Recommend a Backpack to Cycle with

Big Bad Bagheera on 08/03/2018 - 19:14

I've been cycling for a while but only do so on weekends and never carry anything with me.

I've recently moved and cycling to work is now feasible.

Looking for a quality back pack in which I can fit:

  • Change of clothes (boots, jeans, shirt, socks, jocks)

  • towel + toiletries for showering at work

  • packed lunch for the day

Needs to have an additional strap at the front that clips up for a secure fit.

Would prefer something plain/minimal

Happy to spend a bit of money on something quality. Up to maybe $250? (Would of course prefer spending less of a quality option exists)

Crumpler is the only back pack brand I really recognise but nothing stood out to me on their site (haven't been to a store yet)

Thanks!

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • lolz112 on 08/03/2018 - 19:40
    +1

    deuter make some good backpacks. The back airflow loses a bit of room but is great for ventilation

    • Procyon on 08/03/2018 - 20:11

      As does Osprey - and they have a (genuine) lifetime guarantee! https://www.osprey.com/au/en/activity/cycling/

      Something like the Radial 26 might fit your needs.

      But you can also look through the Pack Finder.

      If you know the specific model you want, it's worth looking at online retailers, especially during their ~50% off summer/winter sales. Eg: webtogs, cotswold, bike24.de

    • Peter Enis on 08/03/2018 - 20:23

      Yep love my Deuter backback for cycling and general use. The back airflow also means things inside your bag don't poke into your back.

  • Euphemistic on 08/03/2018 - 21:33

    While it’s be nice to be able to carry all that stuff daily, I’d prefer to leave most of it at work. I’m lucky enough to have a locker and I store shower stuff, boots at work. I exchange towel when necessary (bring a new one before you take the old one home, drying with paper towel and a spare shirt isn’t the same). I generally limit daily carry items to lunch, shirt and underwear. Trousers last a few days before newding a change (again, new in before old home).

    If I ride 5 days a week (school hols) I’ll pack a few shirts on the first day so I can travel light other days.

    Good luck with commuting.

    • Big Bad Bagheera on 09/03/2018 - 00:19

      Unfortunately not a luxury I have !

      • Euphemistic on 09/03/2018 - 06:27

        That’s a bummer. It really makes a difference being able to leave some stuff at work. See what you can do for storage at work. Also consider one of those compact travel towels and anything else to minimise your haulage.

        Panniers might be a better option, but I still use a backpack because I prefer the bike handling not to be affected.

  • Random guy on 08/03/2018 - 22:30
    +1

    http://www.wiggle.com.au/dhb-30l-rucksack/

    Use this everyday on my 20km commute and it's a great quality bag. Nice back support, straps around waist and chest, plus in built rain cover.

    Best value for money cycling bag I've seen.

  • TheBilly on 09/03/2018 - 00:21
    +1

    Paniers? When I was communting a backpack caused intense back pain with that much weight. I never tried panniers though.

  • Quantumcat on 09/03/2018 - 08:44
    +1

    Get a basket or panniers. Save your back.

  • octagonalman on 12/03/2018 - 16:12

    Agree with others mentioning panniers. If you can't get a rack on your bike, bikepacking bags have come a long way in the past few years. You might be able to fit what you need into a gigantic saddle bag.

    For example: https://www.banggood.com/ROCKBROS-10L-Waterproof-Bike-Bicycl…

  • Zippy7 on 20/03/2018 - 22:30

    I used to ride with panniers.
    Got sick of them and when I upgraded bikes, decided not to put a rack on.
    Now I use a Deuter backpack.
    One like this - https://www.99bikes.com.au/backpack-deuter-trans-alpine-30-n…
    Very happy with it.
    It has a waist strap as well as a chest strap.
    Have tried some that don't have this and they are not as stable.

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