Messenger bag / front rack / rear pannier ?

Ill be commuting on a single speed fixed gear for about 14 miles round trip. Ill be carrying appx 5-10 pounds of flexible cargo ( lunch, change of clothes, etc ) . In your opinion , what would be the most comfortable way, without compromising handling and or range of motion on the bike . Ill be doing plenty of head turning as the streets I'll be on have no marked bike lanes.... thx

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Permalink Reply by mweerd on April 14, 2016 at 7:47am

Ortlieb rear pannier has been one of the best bike investments I've made. I like them too cause when i'm not worried about stability I can get groceries with them. I don't ride a fixie though, and I don't see too many fixies with panniers.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on April 14, 2016 at 7:50am

Your load is reasonably light and you can probably do whatever you think best. I think you have to ask yourself what you prefer. Do you mind having a bag on your back? While I don't mind a bag I find it easier to use a rack and put either a trunk bag or pannier on the rack. Do you have a rack and if not are you up for getting one? If not, the bag is on your back. If so you can get a trunk bag or pannier. Or, you can hedge your bet and get a messenger bag that you like to carry but can also bungee to your rack. I think the guy in the mirror has the answers for you.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Hilleren on April 14, 2016 at 7:51am

Rear pannier all the way. Backpack is not awful, but going to get really sweaty. I find messengers impair my sight lines a little. I'd also co-sign for Ortliebs specifically if you've got the money. Until you get about 20lbs of gear in there, you don't really notice any differences in handling. 

Permalink Reply by Tom B on April 14, 2016 at 8:06am

rear panniers

Permalink Reply by Beans on April 14, 2016 at 8:45am

Ortlieb rear panniers.

Permalink Reply by Alexander Horn on April 14, 2016 at 9:25am

rear pannier for certain. Ortlieb gets tons of cred. Me, I did not know this and blindly bought into the 'topeak' line - works well for me as they have briefcase, crate, and saddle bag / pannier (TOPEAK MTX TrunkBag EXP) depending on whether I'm commuting lite (just laptop), getting groceries, or commuting heavy (change of clothes, shower) or long day trip. Frankly I love the topeak system, very well designed, it's been 4+ years, all works well - highly recc. I ride mountain bikes, both 26" & 29"

Permalink Reply by BikeScnhook on April 14, 2016 at 9:38am

I just use a backpack.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Markus on April 14, 2016 at 10:11am

I am a rear rack with 'trunk' bag kinda guy. I have used several brands and only get problems when I overstuff 'em. I have busted a couple of zippers by the ol'5# of shit in a 3# sack move. I have gone to 'townie' bags...fit shopping bags, mount like panneirs. and prefer cloth with stiffeners rather than wire frame rattle traps. It is real easy to overload townies so ya gotta be careful.

My last adaptation for shopping (rated 60#) has been a Burley Travoy, 2 wheeled trailer. It mounts to the seat post with a Quick release and arches over a rack. When off the bike the attachment arm folds to allow use as a shopping cart type o'thang and the 16" wheels roll over curbs and stuff well.

I find all these options better for me than hanging bags on my body for safety and convenience as well as the sweat factor.

Permalink Reply by Matt on April 15, 2016 at 3:37am

I have a rear rack and a Timbuk2 Shift (discontinued, was very hard to track one down) messenger/pannier bag.  I also have a folding wire basket on the opposite side of the rack.  The bag isn't huge, but it can hold the essentials.  I carry my wallet, keys, phone, lock, lunch and a change of clothes in it no problem.  The wire basket is for when I stop at the grocery store on my way home.  It just so happens to fit my canvas grocery bag (or a 12 pack of bottles) perfectly .

The last couple years I was going about 22 miles round trip, so the backpack got old real quick.  I looked long and hard for a pannier bag that I liked in terms of carrying around off the bike, which is why I did not get a rack top bag.  It doesn't noticeably affect my ride at all, unless I stuff it.  The basket only affects riding while loaded.  As Jeff mentioned, I actually feel a good bit safer as I have nothing distracting on my body.

Permalink Reply by David P. on April 15, 2016 at 5:35am

Any of them will work for you. I hate having stuff on my back, and you might as well after you try it for a couple of weeks, but then again you might not.

Between front loading and rear loading, either will work perfectly fine depending on the equipment you use. If one is more easily adaptable to your bike, you can go with that. My SS (a Raleigh One Way) has a rear rack and a front rack with a basket on it. For commuting, I use my Ortlieb pannier on the back. For lighter loads, I just toss things in a bag in the front basket (there's a net on top.) If you have a messenger bag that you like and want to keep using, a porter rack in front and a net will secure it well.

Permalink Reply by Matt on April 16, 2016 at 12:46pm

Does the bike already have a rack? If not, may I recommend the Public Bikes rear rack. The nice part of it is that it has a spring clip, which can be nice for holding and bungeeing down boxes or other top bags. I fitted one to my fixe with no problem. It is a great commuter rack IMO. 

http://publicbikes.com/p/PUBLIC-Rear-Rack-with-Spring-Clip-2012

Permalink Reply by Steve Mac on April 20, 2016 at 5:36am

Thanks for all the insight :)

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