Bike Backpacks?

hippy said:

The zips on another backpack are dying...

I'll need a replacement asap.

I've seen a Deuter backpack that is designed especially
for cycling with. It had an external frame that pushed the
backpack away from the rider - aiming to reduce the huge
sweat patch that typically forms there
🙂 I don't remember if it had other cycling-related
:features but I'm
checking out their website now so I'll find out soon
enough...

Does anyone else here use a backpack for commuting?

Any suggestions on a good one?

I've used ~$40 Caribee backpacks for the last 5+ years and
they do the job, but get quite stinky/wet on the straps
and back and the zips die eventually.

Thanks! hippy

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

--

I bought a Berghaus backpack from Paddy Pallin with the
mesh frame that keeps it off your back for commuting
because I'm always overheating. But even that wasn't enough
so I went back to using panniers. The biggest problem I
found with panniers is the sress of carrying a laptop and a
couple of tech manuals has left me a couple of times on the
verge of losing the lot. Now I use an elaborate series of
home made straps which takes a good 5-10 minutes to get
setup, but at least I won't be leaving a laptop lying on
Studley Rd or Hoddle St. I'd still rather do that than go
back to the backpack. But if you are determined to go the
backpack, the Berghaus has been pretty good value for
hiking daytrips at least.

DaveB.

Quoted message said:

I've used ~$40 Caribee backpacks for the last 5+ years and
they do the job, but get quite stinky/wet on the straps
and back and the zips die eventually.

Caribee have a 'air flow system' backpack line, with a
metal support frame, that's worked well for me (modulo two
easily repaired buckles breaking) over the past 3 years.
Was about $75.

--
Chris

hippy said:

The zips on another backpack are dying...

hippy, if you know anyone with a sewing machine, its
really easy to replace a zip. Well worth it if you like
the old pack.

Quoted message said:

I've seen a Deuter backpack that is designed especially
for cycling with. It had an external frame that pushed the
backpack away from the

These are good, but not nearly as comfortable for your back
as a pannier. Or a racktop bag, to avoid wind drag. I think
Kathmandu have a cycling backpack too.

Quoted message said:

Does anyone else here use a backpack for commuting?

Only if I need to carry something fragile.

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions on a good one?

One with a waist belt can be a good idea to secure it,
especially when using the drop bars.

Quoted message said:

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

Eh? How could that be?

I have one of the Deuter backpacks you speak of.. awesome
pack, use it for walking/riding everyday...

only issue i have is that its a little small in the storage
area.. got it about a year ago, still rock solid.. it was
marked as $159 at Cecil, but I was only charged $99 for it,
I paid and quickly departed the store 🙂

hope this helps, gpl

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The zips on another backpack are dying...

I'll need a replacement asap.

I've seen a Deuter backpack that is designed especially
for cycling with. It had an external frame that pushed the
backpack away from the rider - aiming to reduce the huge
sweat patch that typically forms there
🙂 I don't remember if it had other cycling-related
:features but I'm
checking out their website now so I'll find out soon
enough...

Does anyone else here use a backpack for commuting?

Any suggestions on a good one?

I've used ~$40 Caribee backpacks for the last 5+ years and
they do the job, but get quite stinky/wet on the straps
and back and the zips die eventually.

Thanks! hippy

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

--

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

hippy wrote:

Quoted message said:

These are good, but not nearly as comfortable for your
back as a pannier. Or a racktop bag, to avoid wind drag. I
think Kathmandu have a cycling backpack too.

I have a Kathmandu backpack which is not designed for
cycling but is the best backpack I have ever owned. The
whole thing is made of Scotchlite and is reflective as
buggery. It has 2 big compartments and a small front one and
is padded so my laptop is nice and secure in it. I have used
it for commuting on the bike and taking to ju-jitsu for
around 18 months and the thing is still like brand new. I
have done around 1000ks on the bike with it with no
problems. I generally carry about 12 kilos in it when
commuting.

Fraser

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> "DaveB" == DaveB <[email hidden]> writes:

DaveB> The biggest problem I found with panniers is the
DaveB> sress of carrying a laptop and a couple of tech
DaveB> manuals has left me a couple of times on the
DaveB> verge of losing the lot. Now I use an elaborate
DaveB> series of home made straps which takes a good
DaveB> 5-10 minutes to get setup, but at least I won't
DaveB> be leaving a laptop lying on Studley Rd or
DaveB> Hoddle St.

I've been using a set of Ortlieb panniers with a Topeak rack
to carry my gear. They're absolutely rock solid.

One pannier is capacious enough to accommodate my Dell
Latitude laptop, complete with bag etc. That leaves the
other one free for clothes, food etc. Putting them on the
rack couldn't be simpler, slot in the lateral hook to the
side of the rack and two clips snap on to the top of the
rack. Removal is by means of pulling the pannier handle up
which releases the spring loaded clips.

I (rather embarrassingly) got caught out by wet tram tracks
on Swanston street and went skating down the road, a little
scuffing was the only evidence of my adventure. Both
panniers stayed securely attached to the rack.

$265 might sound like a bit of money but when you're using
them five days a week it's well worth it IMO.

cecilwalker.com.aucategory17 1.htmOpen ↗
--
Regards Euan

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Mike
hippy, if you know anyone with a sewing machine, its
really easy to replace a zip. Well worth it if you like
the old pack.

It's not worth my time. I don't like the pack much and It'll
take me ages to find the bits I need to replace and then
work out how to sew 'em on, then realise I've stuffed it
up and have to unpick them, then sew them on again, etc. 😉

Quoted message said:

These are good, but not nearly as comfortable for your back
as a pannier. Or a racktop bag, to avoid wind drag. I think
Kathmandu have a cycling backpack too.

I dunno, I've used a backpack on a bike for the last 10+ years
and found using panniers a PITA. Sure you get a sweaty back,
but you don't have to worry attaching/detaching panniers all
the time, don't have to empty them into a backpack to go to
the gym after the ride for a shower, don't have to worry about
having them stolen if you leave the bike somewhere.
The bike looks better and handles better without panniers too.
..and all those reasons pale in comparison to the fact that I'm a
stubborn [censored] and have used a backpack for 80% of my life :-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

Eh? How could that be?

See above. 😉

hippy

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Fraser Johnston
I have a Kathmandu backpack which is not designed for
cycling but is the best backpack I have ever owned.

Don't suppose you know the model name?

Their website is spitting out errors left and right...

hippy

DaveB <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

The biggest problem I found with panniers is the sress of
carrying a laptop and a couple of tech manuals has left
me a couple of times on the verge of losing the lot.

DaveB.

MEC used to sell aftermarket pannier attachment brackets
which I have found very good. Chech their web site, they may
still carry them.

Peter Gordon

Nike Epic... this one is not cheap. But it has a net for your helmet, reinforced laptop sleeve (G4 Powerbook fits perfectly), fibreglass chassis, padded straps and back, heaps of pockets (even a special one for your iPod) ... the works and only weighs 1.4kg. You can even design your own http://www.nike.com click on Nike iD.

I got mine from http://www.ebags.com/nike/epic_1/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15703

I saw them on sale in Sydney... can't remember where.

I'm a big fan of my Adventure Designs courier bag.
Waterproof laptop pocket, loads of pencil pockets and being
a courier bag, it's lower down the back, more comfortable on
a bike and easier to get on and off.

hippy said:

The zips on another backpack are dying...

Quoted message said:

I'll need a replacement asap.

Quoted message said:

I've seen a Deuter backpack that is designed especially
for cycling with. It had an external frame that pushed the
backpack away from the rider - aiming to reduce the huge
sweat patch that typically forms there
🙂 I don't remember if it had other cycling-related
:features but I'm
checking out their website now so I'll find out soon
enough...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone else here use a backpack for commuting?

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions on a good one?

Quoted message said:

I've used ~$40 Caribee backpacks for the last 5+ years and
they do the job, but get quite stinky/wet on the straps
and back and the zips die eventually.

Quoted message said:

Thanks! hippy

Quoted message said:

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

Quoted message said:

--

hippy said:

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Fraser Johnston I have a Kathmandu
backpack which is not designed for cycling but is the best
backpack I have ever owned.

Don't suppose you know the model name?

Their website is spitting out errors left and right...

hippy

--

I've got a Kathmandu backpack I've been using for about 3
years now with no problems at all. Sounds like it's similar
to Fraser's.

Checkout www.kathmandu.com.au - I'd post the direct URLs but
they seem to have the longest, ugliest URLs known to man.

My backpack is called the Mirage. I think Fraser's might be
the Vision. The quality is great and they all seem to have
provision for water bladders - I've also got the Apparition
backpack just for that purpose.

Look under Active Packs on the website.

Shame you just missed out on the 50% off sale 🙂 If you
can wait, it won't be too long before the next 50% off
sale is on.

Cheers. -Nick

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Fraser Johnston I have a Kathmandu
backpack which is not designed for cycling but is the
best backpack I have ever owned.

Don't suppose you know the model name?

Their website is spitting out errors left and right...

hippy

Sorry mate. Just checked and no name. I will look at their
site and see if I can find an url for it. I remember I
bought it for about $50 reduced from about $150.

Fraser

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The zips on another backpack are dying...

I'll need a replacement asap.

I've seen a Deuter backpack that is designed especially
for cycling with. It had an external frame that pushed the
backpack away from the rider - aiming to reduce the huge
sweat patch that typically forms there
🙂 I don't remember if it had other cycling-related
:features but I'm
checking out their website now so I'll find out soon
enough...

Does anyone else here use a backpack for commuting?

Any suggestions on a good one?

I've used ~$40 Caribee backpacks for the last 5+ years and
they do the job, but get quite stinky/wet on the straps
and back and the zips die eventually.

Thanks! hippy

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

Hippy,

I bought a Bobblebee hardshell backpack about 3 years ago
and have been using it for daily commuting with a laptop
ever since. I bought it from a distributer in Sydney but I
can't remember their name. It was $300 but as I had just
spent $3000 on a laptop I figured that it was a bit of an
insurance policy. I went to a place that makes the
reflective roadsigns and bought some offcuts for a couple of
bucks and attached them to the pack......click on the
picture on my website below.......

users.tpg.com.auindex.htmOpen ↗

It has been a great pack and has protected the laptop on two
occasions when I have spudded in (it has a few deep gouges
to prove it). It also provides pretty good protection for my
back in a bingle as once I ended up sliding along the
asphalt on it.

For the record, the two stacks were:

1. T-boned by Subaru WRX when on the road bike (his
fault)

2. Rear derailleur snapped and locked back wheel of
mountain bike halfway through a corner.

Cheers,

Gags

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Originally posted by Fraser Johnston I have a Kathmandu
backpack which is not designed for cycling but is the
best backpack I have ever owned.

Don't suppose you know the model name?

Their website is spitting out errors left and right...

hippy

I am pretty sure it is the underground pack. Try this url
for size kathmandu.com.auFMProOpen ↗
db=kat%5fdata.fp5&-format=products%5faus.htm&-lay=www&-
sortfield=parent%3a%3arec%5forder&-sortfield=rec%5forder&-
op=neq&Prod%5fStatus=Not%20Active&-
op=eq&Parent%5fParent%5fID=7&IsParentFirst=True&-
op=neq&Prod%5fPriceAUS=%3d%3d&-max=1&-find=&-Skip=0

Hopefully that will work. On their site it is the 1st
backpack in their daypack and camera bag section. I got the
one in ILLUMINITE which is their reflective material.
$149.90 on their site.

Fraser

"Gags" <tba@tba> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

I bought a Bobblebee hardshell backpack about 3 years ago
and have been using it for daily commuting with a laptop
ever since. I bought it from a distributer in Sydney but I
can't remember their name. It was $300 but as I had just
spent $3000 on a laptop I figured that it was a bit of an
insurance policy. I went to a place that makes the
reflective roadsigns and bought some offcuts for a couple
of bucks and attached them to the pack......click on the
picture on my website below.......

users.tpg.com.auindex.htmOpen ↗

Bugger the backpacks, "...when I was riding to uni with a
cast on my leg..."

Now that's hardcore. I wanna see Hippy trackstanding at the
lights with a cast on his leg.

--

A: Top-posters.
B: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

"Dominic Sansom" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Nike Epic... this one is not cheap. But it has a net for
your helmet, reinforced laptop sleeve (G4 Powerbook fits
perfectly), fibreglass chassis, padded straps and back,
heaps of pockets (even a special one for your iPod) ...
the works and only weighs 1.4kg. You can even design your
own nike.comnike.comOpen ↗ click on Nike iD.

I got mine from ebags.comproductOpen ↗
detail/index.cfm?modelid=15703

I saw them on sale in Sydney... can't remember where.

That is an awesome looking backpack, but USD150! I
don't think so.

--

A: Top-posters.
B: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The zips on another backpack are dying...

Have you tried crimping the zipper thingo? I took my bag to
have the zip replaced at a shoe repairer, the guy took it
and played for about a minute, gave it back and said he'd
fixed it for free. He'd done what I'd tried to do myself a
couple of times which is squish the edges of the slider
thing back together so the zip teeth don't misalign. The bag
has been functioning fine ever since although it is a little
stiffer. Be very careful though, the sliders break easily.

Quoted message said:

Does anyone else here use a backpack for commuting?

I use a camelback blowfish, had it for almost five years and
use it nearly every day.

Quoted message said:

Any suggestions on a good one?

Mainly happy with mine but a little more storage would be
nice. I think the newer blowfishes are a fair bit bigger.

Quoted message said:

P.S. I've tried the pannier option and it's not for me.

Couldn't agree more. Panniers are not for anyone who likes
the nimble handling of a pushie.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Drs

That is an awesome looking backpack, but USD150! I don't think so.

I know... I did say it wasn't cheap.... the one I saw in Sydney was AU$225 ([censored] me off when I saw it for that price) which was a bit better... it was hanging on a wall in a sporting goods store in the CBD... I must have visited 10 different stores that day so I can't recall which one.