My daily ride is under 30 minutes each way to city and back. I’m not interested in saddle bags as I like to keep the bike sleek – just a personal preference. I want that urban style but also want back support.
I’m tied between two backpacks and keen for feedback.
Quad Lock Carry Traverse Backpack – 26 litres:
https://www.quadlockcase.com.au/products/carry-traverse-backpack
This seems a great all rounder for the city commute, with that higher shoulder posture for the spine.
The alternative is the Evoc Athlete Backpack 30 litres:
https://evocsports.com.au/products/athlete-backpack-30
I like the sleeker design, the harder shell, but my gut says 30 litres is too much. 26 is already on upper end for daily commutes. And the Evoc appears to be more like a general sporty bag rather than cycling specific.
Any advice?
PS: I ride the Merida Speeder 500 – amazing bike, and such a shame these style of bikes are so uncommon unless you’re at around the entry to mid level.
by Prestigious_Guest182
6 Comments
They both seem very warm (albeit very nice! Love the Quad lock design) for commuting.
If I might add two additions to your list, the Osprey Hikelite 18 and Hikelite 26. Both have the airspeed principle where you only have mesh against your back and the pack itself sits a little higher so the air can travel through, much cooler than the ones that sit directly on your back.
Furthermore, the Quadlock seems very high up, in my experience it gets in the way of your helmet.
Anyway, my two cents.
I also had a personal preference against saddlebags for years and lemme tell you I was extremely wrong
I used to be a back packer (pause) and I switched to one saddle. Game changer. No sweaty back. No adjusting.
I let a rear basket carry everything. Locks and backpack. It’s so nice not having anything on my back.
Here’s a pic when it really earns it’s keep with groceries: yes, that’s a case of water, two six packs of ginger ale, cereal, bag of flour, and a full backpack. Additional grocery bags can easily attach to three sides of the basket too.
https://preview.redd.it/afi620l5kgah1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e72e8f585980d1e626982a7ae2da74588cd9d7f
Just get panniers significantly better for commuting in every way
You can even get ones that are backpack backpacks so you can put them on when you get where you’re going
I’ve never seen either of the bags you wanted a comparison in person. Because I’ve been happy with Timbuk2 for over a decade. 2 bags, who knows how many miles, literally around the world everyday bags.
On the backpack vs pannier: There is a distance/time when I would make a dedicated switch to commute with panniers, but 30 minutes is not that time.
-Caveats: 1. I have a bike with a rack and can put panniers on it in about 4 minutes if I decide I need to carry more. Just and older CX bike that was never worth enough to sell.
2. I have a shower and locker at the office where I can store a complete spare set of office clothes and shoes, most importantly.
3. My Timbuk2 Especial Tres is out of production and people seem to think quality has fallen off since I bought mine 7 years ago. I’m still going back to Timbuk2 when this thing finally breaks down.