Raid The PiggyBank, Timbuk2’s Raider Backpack May Be Your Next Buy

meh, it’s too long, can’t get to the rear jersey pockets.

I guess Americans never look down because they seem totally oblivious to how dirty the bottom of your shoes can get. I see people wearing shoes in their homes, putting them on their furniture, etc. all the time. It’s disgusting. The shoes need to be in a completely separate section of the backpack. Timbuk2 should know better – they are based in San Francisco where the streets are covered in human and animal feces and other nasty things.

@frank: because a backpack is more aero for roadies; and your rack/pannier is normally as heavy as a backpack. i prefer a backpack, as i dont have to release the bag from the rack when leaving the bike.

but yes, this one looks good, but its too long, covering the jearsy pockets!

I just throw a backpack in a milk crate on a rack. Bungee if needed.

What backpack with any reasonable capacity doesn’t cover your jersey pockets? Particularly if it also doesn’t bump the back of your helmet if you ride with your bars lower than your saddle? My current backpack covers the tops of my pockets but is still narrow enough to allow access to my two side pockets. It looks like this pack might be similarly narrow and also allow some access? The only reason I ever need access to pockets on my commute is to stash gloves or arm warmers – otherwise, it’s in the pack. I’ll have to take a look at this one in the shop.

@James

Put your shoes in a plastic bag – CRISIS AVERTED!!

The most comfortable backpacks I’ve used for commuting are/were NON cycle specific ones, e.g. Karrimor.

Its not really for road cycling if its black. It should have integrated light strips and be red or some bright color. It should also have a system of air cooling so your back doesnt feel like a horse pissed on it after ten minutes. Also a speaker for a phone would be cool some where on the straps.

When I commuted, I left my work shoes at work. That’s a second solution to a non-existent problem. I can’t, however, carry a backpack that slings over one shoulder (or a messenger bag for that matter). The asymmetric loading doesn’t play nice with my neck.

@ J. Tomac: More importantly, why is that rider running a set-back seatpost then slamming their saddle forward on the rails?

I really don’t see how this pack solves any problems better or different than other packs. My kid’s JanSport school backpack has similar functionality without the “Made in the Mission District” hipster surcharge.

I use a Wingnut bag that I have customized. It totally covers the rear pockets, and that totally great since the bag then sits lower on your back, and with the “wings” you can have access to pockets while you ride. I used to do a rack and bags, but if you have the right bag, the bike stays a nice ride. My old Atala is great as a fixie but when it was a geared bike with racks was heavy spaghetti with the rear rack and bags flopping around.

The main benefit to this backpack based on my experience checking it our in our shop is that it is very light but still retains a nice shape on your back. Certainly not the bag for me but If I were riding a road bike to work with minimal carrying load I’d consider it.