Wearing backpack - pros vs cons

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Mintbread · Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:07 pm

Sevulturus wrote: So what you're saying is... you think a backpack can dislocate a shoulder, then tear through all the skin, muscle, and connective tissue including triceps and biceps, two of the larger muscles in the body.

A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. The same applies to the body. The forces produced by a crash are greater than the body is designed for especially when a limb is heading in a direction not intended by nature. Biceps and triceps are used to bend and straighten the arm only so by simply pulling a straight arm at the wrist they become redundant.

Tendons hold muscle to bone, but how strong are they?

Wed Jul 12, 2006 5:46 pm

Luckily I have bungee hooks on the side fairing of the bike so I don't have to wear a backpack if I don't want to. I don't really like the feel of one on my back when I am riding (it just feels weird sitting on the back armored area of my jacket....and sometimes it tends to be quite large, full and heavy) and prefer to strap it down even though it takes a few secs longer before jumping on the bike and heading out. But that way, it is out of my way.

flynrider · Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:12 pm

I don't always need a backpack, but I never ride without it. It is semi-permanently attached to my seat. I just lifted the seat and ran the shoulder straps under it, with the backpack sitting on top. It sits quite nicely on the rear part of the seat. I've had a good 10 lbs. of junk in there and it doesn't move around much at all. Since the buckles are safely under the seat, I don't have to worry about anyone taking it. The only way to get the pack withount unlocking the seat would be to cut the straps off.

#24 Unread post by **Sev** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:34 pm

Mintbread wrote:
Sevulturus wrote: So what you're saying is... you think a backpack can dislocate a shoulder, then tear through all the skin, muscle, and connective tissue including triceps and biceps, two of the larger muscles in the body.
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. The same applies to the body. The forces produced by a crash are greater than the body is designed for especially when a limb is heading in a direction not intended by nature. Biceps and triceps are used to bend and straighten the arm only so by simply pulling a straight arm at the wrist they become redundant.

Tendons hold muscle to bone, but how strong are they?

Indeed, but we're only talking about a backpack pulling off an arm. I'll bet money that the straps break before pulling backwards on my two strap backpack dislocates then pulls off my arm.

Or the bag will tear around whatever it snagged on.

CYLax · #25 Unread post by **CYLax** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:42 am

I wear a backpack every day to and from work, though it's not my preference because I'm carrying my laptop in it. I just haven't found a tank bag that'll fit my laptop and files that I like yet.

My roommate dropped his bike recently and it was the backpack that saved him from road rash. He slid on his back for 20ft or so after laying his bike down on a wet road, he only had a touch of road rash on his elbow...and a non-functional laptop

The circumstances worked out well for him, except for the whole dropping the bike part...and the backpack is still usable. Anyways, thought I'd share.

jstark47 · Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:25 am

I use a Roadgear "Multi tasker Sport" backpack to carry my laptop. I will not bungee the laptop to the bike, I'm afraid of damaging it from vibration through the frame. The Multi tasker is pretty compact and I have the straps cinched up good and snug -- I can't see it causing injuries in an accident, there's just not enough play between it and me.

Reflex439 · Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:43 pm

Thanks for all the info. More than I anticipated, and great tips.

M109R · #28 Unread post by **M109R** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:45 pm

Check out a Cortech Sport Tail Bag. I bought one and love it. Expandable and able to carry my rain gear, laptop, etc....

Used to wear a backpack snowmobiling and hated it. Feel it would be the same when riding a bike. Much better to attach the load to the bike than your shoulders.

For the tear your arm off debate - Send a request to Myth Busters on the Discovery Channel. They would love to test that theory out.

Kaiser Soze · Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:33 am

I wore a backpack all the time, but with my riding position I seemed to catch the bottom of my helmet on the thing, and it was getting annoying. I guess I could have bought another backpack, but I just got one of these Joe Rocket tailpacks and it's been good so far:

It's nice to not have the weight of my beer run on my back. Definitely cooler, too.

Andrew · #30 Unread post by **Andrew** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:12 pm

I must be like a pack mule.

I ride with my saddlebags on, and I still wear a back pack to work every day. Granted, I have to bring a full change of clothes, shoes, shower stuff and both breakfast and lunch.

The point is that I don't even notice the bag on my back, and despite the 'getting the arm ripped off,' conversation I don't think it's a substatial safety hazard.