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I spent the last two years as a backcountry ranger, in Northern California. There, I wore a backpack almost every day. Now I am a bicycle commuter in Sacramento and I choose panniers first, a messenger bag second, and the backpack a distant third. There are three reasons why the backpack is my last choice in this list. Any bag I carry ends up being ...

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. A secondary reason is that the flat rectangular shape of a messenger bag is more ...

I do the supermarket run every week by bicycle - have done for about 7 years Family of four so I more or less fill a full size shopping trolley every time. This is made possible by a Christiana Trailer which is pretty much equivalent in load capacity to a shopping trolley: I have a bike that is now dedicated to the role of towing this beastie (for the ...

It sounds like you need something like a handlebar bag or a rack trunk like these: rack trunk handlebar bag The rack trunk would require adding either a seatpost mounted rack or a full rear rack. Either one would allow you to move to panniers in the future if you needed to carry more goods like a laptop or a change of clothes, but a full rack would be ...

Do you mean something like this from PacSafe it's got a secure steel mesh inside: I remember using one of their bigger backpack bags when travelling to New Zealand a few years ago, and the only complaints I had were from the TSA when we went through the US. Alternatively if you have a rack on the back, then it may be possible to attach a lockable box to ...

There are a few reasons I prefer a messenger bag or backpack over panniers. A bag on your back is easy to carry around off your bike. If you're using a bike as your primary mode of transportation and making multiple stops, it can be inconvenient to secure your panniers without detaching them and carrying them. I can get off my bike and go to a concert or ...

There are many available. Here is one example: http://www.ebikestop.com/axiom_cascade_frame_pack_black-BG6638.php Attaches to the seat tube and the top tube, providing a triangular storage space. This one also is padded to aid with portaging (if you have a big enough triangle). I know some people who tour with home-made frame bags that take up the ...

I'm a member of Warm Showers, and regularly host cross-country bike tourists and get to check out their gear. Except for the occasional monk with orange robes and a small backpack, what bike tourists choose has been surprisingly uniform. It's usefully Ortlieb panniers on front and rear racks, and sometimes a handlebar bag. The details and presence of the ...

For a trip that you describe, I would actually recommend using both a rear rack system and a front rack system. I have not used a front rack system, but I understand that it changes the handling of the bike. Having basically four panniers, two on front and two on back, will allow you to distribute the weight around so that you are left/right balanced and ...

I don't want any extra junk burdening me during the 99% of rides that aren't grocery runs. I use a Bontrager pannier (or two) like this one: http://bontrager.com/model/08102 The rack on my bike is permanent, but you can clip the bag onto onto the rack, or detach it again, in a second or two: so put it on the bike only when you're going to the store. I ...

Looking through the Challenge Bikes product guide, it looks like the Seiran SL is not intended to be able to have any kind of rack on it. Maybe you should talk to the dealer you bought the bike from. It looks to me like replacing the lightweight carbon seat with the aluminum seat option might make it possible to mount the Day Rack or Voyager Rack... Would ...

I have a very large basket made by Wald on the front of my bike in addition to the rack and panniers that you mention. The Giant Delivery Basket made by Wald (model 157b) is large enough to accomodate four to six shopping bags in addition to what I can fit into my panniers. I can haul a lot of groceries this way. When I saw your post, I thought of this ...

I use plastic waste baskets, mounted to rear rack by springs. The weight is low over rear tires, for extra stability.Just drill some drain holes and mounting holes through plastic containers, add cord loops, and attach springs to them. Adjust tilt so that pedal clearance is adequate in turns. P.s.Cable ties turn brittle in cold weather, so don't use them in ...

Ortlieb makes two camera-specific bags that you could probably keep inside their handlebar bag, the Aqua Zoom and the Aqua Zoom Plus. However, the Ortlieb Ultimate is a great handlebar bag that snaps on and off the handlebars, and also has a camera insert. I highly recommend the Ultimate, although the mounting is a little tricky to install.

Have you thought about attaching a trailer, such as this? http://www.kmsdirect.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=40&zenid=f65e60ef439a613706cd8d60ce3eaa51

The suggestions by @Tha Riddla are great ones. If you opt for a full rear rack you may also want to consider just going with a single panier bag. Look for a smaller one similar to this one. The advantage is that you will have a little extra space when you need it, possibly for tools or when you need to stop by the store on the way home from work. The weight ...

Short answer based on the little information given I'd guess two larger panniers would be enough, especially if the tent and sleeping mat is strapped on top. Watch out for the heel clearance, especially with the largest ones. Long answer and rambling: The length of the trip doesn't matter as much as you'd might think. It really depends on how much you'll ...

The two straps that attach the Carradice bag to the saddle will need to be re-threaded and buckled up each time you remove and re-attach the bag, so it's probably not the most convenient choice for your usage. I remember seeing quick-release systems for these bags, but you'll have to check if they work for the massive Camper version. There is no actual ...

I'll add to the already, good reasons for using a messenger bag. Backpacks, I've found, can sometimes stick up too high, making it difficult to raise your head; especially if you have an aggressive riding position (which most real messengers have) Properly packed, a messenger bag can be every bit as comfortable as a backpack. The myth that the single ...

I think the Mountain FeedBag would do the trick. It's made for holding food but it's padded with a soft interior and should safely hold your camera. It mounts in the corner between your stem and handlebar, you can easily access it while riding. http://www.epicrideresearch.com/product-information.php Update as of May 2011 The Mountain Feed Bag ...

I have a fairly hefty notebook and a smaller netbook that I carry with me by bike. For short journeys I prefer the rucksack as I can then nip in and out of shops easily. I carry the netbook in one of those neoprene cases and the notebook in a scruffy jiffy bag. Both have survived quite well like this. For longer journeys (25 mile per day of riding with ...

Savanni makes a good point, the answer depends on your weight distribution. Something else that will effect it is your tires. The fatter tires you have the more they will absorb (bumps and the like), and prevent these bumps vibrating up to your pannier rack. Another point. You can get seat post racks (second link) made popular by offroad tourers riding ...

Most of the nicer courier bag/backpack companies don't do a zipper down the length of the bag because that creates a weak point for not only loss of contents, but water entry. Some will do laptop pouches, but if you're looking for a heavy duty courier bag it's slim pickings for external zippers into main compartments. The closest I came to finding something ...

If you are carrying much weight panniers are much easier. The bike balances better and they don't put strain on your back like a heavy rucksack does. I don't think that there is a proper rack that you can fit if you have rear suspension on your bike. I wouldn't trust the ones that just bolt round the seat tube with very much weight.

Get an ortleib messenger backpack classic. It will hold a ton of stuff and it's waterproof in case something bursts inside (it will stay inside). If you want to go real fancy get a mission workshops vandal. It is a great multi-purpose bag and it expands to fit a lot of stuff. Watch the video demo: Grocery Run - Vandal Roll-Top Backpack You may also want ...

The Brooks Cornwall handlebar bag matches your needs, in leather, and in multiple colors. Matched with the Glenbrook Saddle bag, or the Brooks Challenge Roll-up Tool bag, it would be pretty nice. All of these, along with a multitude of other brands and styles can be found on the Wallbike.com site, or your LBS can order them for you.