Why I Commute With A Backpack (For Now)

[@AdamWilkoszarski]

My routine is that I take extra shorts and liner to work in my frame bag. I have 12,5km commute to work but if I take shower in the morning it's ok without changing. After work I change to shorts and liner/bibs and take 40-60km route to home as my workout :)

[@audityagunawan]

Thanks for sharing Josh. Commuting with backpack always be my love hate relationship. I ride 24km to work and 20km to home with backpack in a hot, chaotic and polluted Jakarta City. Tried to used front basket but I got my back still wet so why don't go with a backpack LOL. Beside, working as a content production also makes me to bring a lot of stuff that might be scared the front and fork by its weight. Anyway, I stored my working clotes under the desk and they scheduled for laundry every Friday noon and will be picked up on Monday morning. And in my backpack, I always put my meals, spare clothes for accidental meetings, also other bike stuff like spare tubes, hand pump, rain coat. Also don't forget to take any space in backpack for family stuff to make your wife happy. Keep up the good work Josh!

[@alpopp]

Thanks Josh! Totally get what you mean about wanting to lock the bike and go and not worrying about unclipping bags. I feel like my commute setup is constantly changing but that's part of what keeps it fun. I personally don't like how panniers look, so I'm currently doing a big front rack and bag. But I'm able to just bring the bike with me up to my office, so that helps.

[@JoshRomeroYT]

Definitely! Changing it up keeps it interesting !

[@TomFrostJr]

My longest bike tour, a Pennsylvania-to-Labrador round trip in 1982, was with a 25-pound backpack on my back. I liked how it kept the bike light for easy carrying into the woods at night for my stealth camps. It wasn't until several years later that I started using racks, to facilitate traveling a little heavier.

[@JasonOLeary1985]

When living in London I used to cycle with a backpack and would end up a sweaty mess as any ride would be 45mins to an hour. Now I'm in Sweden and I finally have a rear rack and pannier but rides in Uppsala are only 15 minutes. 😅 So I now have the issue of just lugging the pannier around when I've parked my bike, rather than the ease of a backpack. But I enjoy no longer having the weight on my back.

[@401SNelson]

I take everything (food and clothing) for the week in on Sunday. Pick up the dirty clothes, food prep containers, and hangers up when dropping off my stuff on Sunday!

[@kerrychhim9983]

I have been commuting with a Chrome Sling bag. I work second shift so I have been bringing my reflective jacket to be more visible during the ride at night(I do have lights). I have used a trunk bag on one of bikes it is a great way to not have my lunch shift during the commute or in the bag I am carrying. Just the flat bars on the bike with the rack didn’t agree with my wrist so that is one of the reasons I have stopped commuting with it for now. I might get the Ortlieb Quick rack for my current bike when I have the extra funds for it.

[@stevegelman7838]

I have to have a basket on my bike, but I also have a backpack, everyone is different, it's just the way I love to ride.

[@malcontent_1]

I totally agree about the convenience of bag-on-body commuting. I pick one of a couple diff sized messenger bags w/ a stabilizer strap. Love having the bike light, nimble & 'non-jangly' (that's a word), like you said.

[@thedownunderverse]

It’s a lovely commute u got there

[@stevevanness4195]

I use bent aero bars to carry my backpack. For me it’s the best of both worlds. It’s surprisingly stable & quick to get off the bike & doesn’t get caught on doors like paneers. I’m able to park my bike by my desk and only have to carry the bag about 15 feet to a coat rack. I also store my sweaty bike cloth in a loft away from where we work. I regularly descend at 35 to 40mph with no problem.

[@williamfwoods]

I’m loving the vid Josh!

[@ericdanielson4177]

As a bike commuter for several years now, we have almost identical likes and routines. I always like to keep a couple of small profile lights charged in a backpack pocket for emergencies. In the shoulder seasons, sometimes you need to pack a lighter weight outfit for the afternoons after a chilly morning ride in.

[@maureen4056]

I usually use a backpack and at least one panier. My work commute is 7.6 miles, but sometimes, I'll shop after work, and I keep my rain gear in one of my paniers. Everything I need for repairs and work goes in my backpack. Going to work is mostly downhill, but coming home is the opposite. That's when I get more of a cardio workout.

[@JoshRomeroYT]

That’s the setup ! I used to have downhill commutes into work. I think I’d still choose that over climbing in everyday. It is nice to speed on downhill at the end of the day though! Cheers !

[@smup2I]

I use a pannier with the Ortlieb Quick Rack. The rack can be disassembled in 5 seconds for the weekend tours. Previously I also rode with backpack, the ride was much better but the sweating was too annoying.

[@hippo71124]

I use the quick rack too, absolute game changer

[@MyLifeInTheDesert]

I commute 22 miles (35 km) round trip in northern NV. In the winter the backpack helps keep me warm but I also get neck and back pain. I’m 46 though so maybe it’s just because I’m getting old. I got a pedal assist e bike to help with the distance issue. I get tired. Sometimes I tell myself I’m not a real bike commuter because I’m using the e bike.

[@Icamppe]

I commute on an Omnium cargo bike. Super handy to be able to bring kids or groceries without having a second thaught about it. Also love the convenience of bringing a briefcase. No backpack or pannier can do that.

[@jonathanbenn2241]

30+ years with a rear rack and bags. Have tried a Surly 24 pack rack in the last couple of years too.

[@sylvanfranklin6904]

Yo! Just found your channel! Very cool! I love cycling and this kind of life advice stuff

[@JoshRomeroYT]

Glad you are enjoying it ! Welcome !

[@ToaivaTTeevale]

Got new pannier bags. Bike feels heavy and I didn't realise how much the weight of my backpack contributed to the downward force on the pedal assisting me when taking off.

[@Cyclingdropout]

My commuter has fenders, racks, panniers. The seasonal essentials are always in the bags. I never keep anything valuable in my panniers unattended, but often leave basic lights, tubes, packable rain jacket left unattended in my bags. If a homeless person steals that stuff they probably needed it more than me. But really the solution is n+1 bikes 😂.

[@Will-cs3yb]

Personally I backpack commute because I am too cheap to buy a rack.

[@singletrackflow]

Great video! I commute with a waterproof Overboard backpack. I would like to get one with compartments. What do you recommend?

[@Horus-Lupercal]

I use a backpack, I barely notice it most of the time as A: I'm used to it, I've worn my specific bag for about 9 years now (Dakine is GOATED), B: I've squatted 200 kilo before, the 15 kilo capacity is quite doable. A lot of cyclistss' issues can be taken care of by simply getting stronger, lol.

[@marcclish]

Hello Josh.. Great video. I also use peak design backpack and love the versatility. I wear Vivos daily but struggle finding cycling shoes wide enough , what are you wearing?

[@JoshRomeroYT]

Hi ! For commutes I use Pearl Izumi alp x’s on weekend rides I use Quoc GT2’s which are great and wider than my old giro’s ! Review on those coming up here in a month or so

[@ShowAnNDTeLL]

bike messenger bag

[@clayton7017]

what shoes do you use on the bike while commuting?

[@JoshRomeroYT]

Pearl Izumi Alp X

[@rapstarD]

Commuter bike. Get a surly

[@andreamantovani5354]

Sorry backpack is a BIG no. Front basket of course also negative. Either a frame bag or a rear one

[@JoshRomeroYT]

Hey to each their own ! Curious to hear why you don’t like the front basket setup… out of all the bag/ rack setups I’ve tried in the past a basket was my favorite ! Cheers !

[@andreamantovani5354]

@@JoshRomeroYT just don't like the heavy steering