Good Backpack for daily commute

[retro_bogan]

I use the Maxpedition Falcon II. The material (cordura) is water resistant. I carry a dry bag inside to protect anything valuable for heavy rain. http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FAL ... K-p110.htm

[Walst]

If you have rear racks get the Ortlieb Vario which quickly converts to a backpack. Love it

[Lizzy]

Sadly I was on the bus this morning, but the bright side was sitting behind a guy with one of these: http://www.voltaicsystems.com/converter.shtml

I may be behind the times having not heard of these before but how good's that?! I would totally buy a rackbag with the same setup, I reckon I could run at least a taillight off it, and charge my phone on the way to work

[clackers]

Nice idea, Lizzy, but the current will be small and it'll be painfully slow.

[CrashBoomBang]

I use a Deuter Bike One (20 ltr) on my daily commute. I got it for two years now and I love it.
Pros:
- breast straps
- side straps (most underrated feature imho, would not go without anymore)
- high-viz raincover
- ventilation system
Cons:
- price
I got lucky when I bought it as it was on sale. After two years, I still think it was money well spent.

[mick243]

Considered getting a Pannier by any chance? I decided to get one instead of lugging a backpack to work every day, and my back is loving me for it, it also makes carrying big loads a hell of a lot easier (Groceries and such)

yup, I have tried many backpacks for commuting over the years , the better ones were SOS marine, or 511....... but by far the best ever was a rack and pannier bags.

[warthog1]

Do panniers not destroy any liveliness the bike may have?
I love getting out of the saddle and having the bike move freely underneath me.
Surely panniers detract from this?

[mick243]

When the pannier bags are FULL, yeah they damp the action a little, but if I had that much weight in a backpack I wouldn't have the "get up n go" to push that hard to begin with, but when they only have lunch and a few sundries all strapped down tight I don't even notice them, whereas even a lightly packed backpack sucks the life out of me...

[warthog1]

Thanks, I don't generally carry much weight either. Maybe they are worth looking into now that I have a bike that will take them.
Backpack is working fine for me though and I'm guessing may be a bit faster.
Got to keep the CCR points going

[singlespeedscott]

I've been thinking about a removable handlebar bag. That way I can ride in the drops without the bag banging me in the head. Plus when I get out of the saddle the bike should be a little less likely to sway. I just don't know what to get. It's a bit like trying to find a good commuter light with a battery that lasts longer than 2 hrs.