What are the pros and cons of panniers vs messenger bags?

Asked by: Abdiel Bojadziev

Why do bike Packers not use panniers?

Bikepacking bags have less carrying capacity



Generally, bikepacking bags can carry less volume than panniers. For example, an average handlebar bag can hold 15-20 liters, a frame bag 10-15 liters, and a seat bag 10-25 liters. Altogether bikepacking bags give you about 35-60 liters of space for all of your gear.

What is the difference between saddle bags and panniers?

Pannier bags can hold up to 50 pounds whereas saddlebags can hold up to 30-40 pounds. It can carry more than that but ideally, you should not exceed the given capacity, to prolong the bags’ life.

Why do cyclist use messenger bags?

The primary reason why bike messengers use messenger bags is that you don’t have to take them off to load or unload them. If you’re continually picking things up and dropping things off all day, you don’t want to be faffing about taking a backpack on and off all the time.

What are messenger bags good for?

They’re usually spacious, and a well-made messenger bag should feature a variety of compartments and pockets, keeping you well organised at all times. Use these to store away pens, your phone, tablet, keys and more.

Can you cycle with one pannier?

The short answer is absolutely yes!! maybe you a looking to do some commuting to work and only need to use the space one pannier provides. Using a single pannier generally on the left side of your bikes rear rack is the most popular way to carry those extra items on the commute.

Are panniers safe?

Panniers are not only comfortable to carry cargo with but also safe when it comes to fragile and sensitive cargo. I use my pannier for commuting and carry my laptop in it for more than 2 years and my laptop has been kept safe, free from damages.

Do panniers fit all bikes?

With the right equipment you can fit panniers to a bike that isn’t designed to take them. Some bikes – tourers, most hybrids, and many gravel bikes, for example – have the threaded frame eyelets required for a rear pannier rack: two high on the seatstays, others down by the dropouts. Many road and mountain bikes don’t.

Do handlebar bags slow you down?

Francis Cade made a luggage aero testing video and found a less than 1% reduction in speed when he added two bottles to his fork. With a handlebar bag added in as well, it reduced his speed by a bit over 2%.

What is the difference between front and rear panniers?

Front panniers reduce your clearance as they sit lower to the ground – I’ve found it’s much easier to squeeze between cars with the higher-sitting rear bags. At slow speeds, you use your steering to balance from left to right. With your weight up the back, your steering is light – making it easier to balance your bike.

Can you ride a bike with a messenger bag?

Backpacks, messenger bags, and crossbody bags are your best bet for bags to wear while biking because they stay in place on your body while you’re on the move. Other types of bags, like shoulder bags or totes, don’t work so well for carrying things when you bike to work because they tend to get in your way.

Can you cycle with a messenger bag?

Messenger bag



All its weight is resting on one shoulder and getting sweaty can be an issue. Messenger bags work best with flatter loads, like the bike couriers’ documents, but there’s not normally as much carrying capacity as with a backpack.

Are sling bags good for biking?

Fjallraven Kanken Art Sling



It’s also a great biking bag, as it’s compact but roomy, with an exterior front pocket and large main compartment, plus adjustable straps then let you tighten it to hit at your waist, so it’s not clanking against your hip or thigh as you ride.

How do you pack a pannier?

Quote from video: Story your least immediately needed items in the bottom of your pan ears with the heavier items going to the front bags. This will help with stability.

How do you carry lunch on a bike?

How to carry lunch on a bike? Use an insulated lunch bag/box that is upright and has leakproof containers inside; this will then fit inside any bag (including panniers). Being upright stops spills while being inside the bag provides insulation from the hot/cold temperatures on your ride, keeping food fresh longer.

How do pannier bags work?

How do panniers work? Most panniers work on a basic and near-universal system of attachment. A pannier rack bolts onto fixing points on your bike; the panniers then hang off the rack via a series of hooks. Mounting can be either beside the back wheel or on the front fork.

What is the difference between bikepacking and bike touring?

Bicycle touring typically involves long distances and longer stints of travel that can be supported by adventure travel companies or completed as solo, unsupported endeavors. On the other hand, “bikepacking” refers to mostly off-road adventuring.

Do handlebar bags slow you down?

Francis Cade made a luggage aero testing video and found a less than 1% reduction in speed when he added two bottles to his fork. With a handlebar bag added in as well, it reduced his speed by a bit over 2%.

Can you put panniers on a mountain bike?

You can put panniers on a mountain bike if your frame has eyelets to attach a rack. If your bike doesn’t have eyelets there are many options to work around like installing a rack on your seat stay. Bikers who carry things with panniers, myself included, are on the side of obsessive about it.

What is the difference between front and rear panniers?

Front panniers reduce your clearance as they sit lower to the ground – I’ve found it’s much easier to squeeze between cars with the higher-sitting rear bags. At slow speeds, you use your steering to balance from left to right. With your weight up the back, your steering is light – making it easier to balance your bike.

Do you need 2 pannier bags?

Cyclists often have a pair of panniers, but you can use just one if you’re not carrying too much – the Ortlieb Back-Roller Urban Line is sold as a single pack. Most panniers attach to the rack with two clips at the top and another towards the bottom.

How big should my panniers be?

If your waist is 36 inches, then your grand pannier should be 54 inches across at the waist. If your waist is 20 inches, then your grand pannier should be 30 inches across at the waist. These are not hard and fast rules, just some things to consider when planning your side-hooped ensembles.