Cycling bags and backpacks
On a a bike, every spot has its own bag: the saddle for tools, the frame for dense items, the handlebars for what we want to reach while riding, and the rack for carrying volume.
On the bike, the weight carried on the back tires you out and makes you sweat. The rule is simple: whatever can go on the bike goes on the bike, and the backpack for bike is only for the rest, on short trips or when mountain biking where the bag must stay with the rider.
Where to put your panniers on the bike
Each location has a purpose, and mixing them disrupts the balance of the machine.
- Under the saddle: the inner tube, tyre levers, multi-tool.
- In the frame: what is dense and heavy, closest to the centre of gravity.
- On the handlebars: things you want to reach without getting off, windbreaker and snacks.
- On the rack: volume, clothing and shopping.
Pannier for bike or backpack, when to keep the bag on your back
A pannier bike backpack is useful for mountain biking and short urban trips: you get off the bike with your stuff, without having to take anything apart. For bike touring, the opposite is true. A hybrid bag that attaches to the rack and can also be worn on the back is a good compromise for mixed journeys.
Choosing a backpack bike for mountain biking
The backpacks bike designed for mountain biking can be recognized by three features: an integrated water pouch, a chest strap and a belt that keep the bag from moving during descents, and a ventilated back. The volume rarely exceeds twenty litres; beyond that, the bag gets in the way of pedalling. A backpack for bike larger than that is for hiking, not mountain biking.
Our panniers and backpacks for bike in detail
