Sweaty backs

Following on from the great response to "Big Thighs", it is now time to ask about sweaty backs.

How to avoid arriving at work with a sweaty back when cycling with all your stuff in a bag.

Are paniers or nudity the only answer?

Wick shirt will help.
Otherwise it's accept the pong or get panniers.

i ride nude.

i find pink and black hide sweat well.

or change your shirt at work

Leave a towel at work and cycle in a different top. Wool helps a bit.

Cycle backwards and let the breeze cool you down...

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread5568.html You know it makes sense.

If panniers aren't your cup of tea then a backpack with foam padding which allows ventilation would be best.

Ortelieb Velocity works quite well:

all backpacks and currier style bags will make your back sweat, even the ones with airflow, vents on the bag, there will allways be a contact point.

If it's not an impertinent question, just how sweaty do you get? If it's not that much then there are some backpacks that are designed to have minimal contact with the back (shoulders & hips).

I've also heard tell of a technique called riding slowly but can't figure what that's about. I suspect it may be a myth. I advocate the rusty method.

Hello! I suffer with sweaty back too - use courier-style bags. I havent tried those backpacks with the airflow mesh, but brett didn't rate them.

Generally I agree with 31trums point , but I manage OK by easing off the pace for the final few minutes and swingin my bag round to my chest, letting my back get some cool air.

I would be tempted by a front rack rather than panniers. just because..

Bit embarrassed to admit that I think paniers are the way forward.

They don't make you sweaty or make your shoulders worn out [I am a girl so don't have big man-shoulders]

But they are not very cool, and seem to defeat the point of having a light bike.

Especially as I cannot resist the temptation to stuff loads of stuff in them ...

How sweaty do I get?
Is there an international sweaty scale, like the Richter scale for wind?
[Not that sort of wind ...]

2008/2009 is all about the front racks.

yeah those front racks are wicked. I saw loads n NY but seems pretty hard to find a similar thing over here. Ones with the basket are the best

Screw what cool. I think most people will give you more points for doing what makes you comfy.

Bit embarrassed to admit that I think paniers are the way forward.

They don't make you sweaty or make your shoulders worn out [I am a girl so don't have big man-shoulders]

But they are not very cool, and seem to defeat the point of having a light bike.

Especially as I cannot resist the temptation to stuff loads of stuff in them ...

How sweaty do I get?
Is there an international sweaty scale, like the Richter scale for wind?
[Not that sort of wind ...]

a good messenger bag straps tight around your front engaging your core muscles to carry the load, not just your shoulders.

don't you wanna hang with the kids anymore tommy? ;-)
flexing some 1970s styles with that retro saddlebag.

• front racks have advantages other than coolness.
  

+1 for front racks! They look awesome :)

The backpacks with the mesh etc don't work very well because they're designed mostly for walkers/hikers who walk with their backs upright and straight. Cyclists ride with their backs curved to absorb shock. It just doesn't make any difference.

Regardless of whether I've got a courier bag on or backpack, I get sweaty. Depends on too many factors, like weather, amount of crap in my bag, how hard I'm riding, to say.

For my commute to uni, I either use fragrance free face wipes and then change my shirt, or go to the gym early in the morning and then shower.

But they are not very cool, and seem to defeat the point of having a light bike.

How sweaty do I get?
Is there an international sweaty scale, like the Richter scale for wind?
[Not that sort of wind ...]

Ortliebs are cool.

Depending on at work storage and personal wardrobe needs, you could just run panniers once or twice a week and otherwise stick with a nice light racktop or handlebar bag (uncool but I do love mine).

No international sweat scale but feel free to use an adjective between dewey and rancid.

nice rack

Panniers are absolutely the way forward!!!! I think one of the biggest crimes commited by cyclists unto themselves is not using panniers because they think they're either uncool or heavy - once you try them, there's no looking back!

Seriously, a pannier weighs about the same as a rucksack, the only extra weight you add is a rack, which is about 500g. In practical terms, this is, what 0.6% of a typical 80kg rider+bike+kit combo. In other words, nothing, you're not going to notice the extra weight unless you're cycling up long big hills. On the flip side, you'l be cycling more efficiently because you haven't got a bag on your back.

Anyway, panniers can be cool in a retro way... I can highly recommend a Carradice Bike Bureau for combining immense practicality (it's the best bag I've ever owned, it's just perfectly designed - see the review below) with old-skool pannier coolness :-)

http://www.etherfarm.com/synapse/archives/product_review_2003_carradice_bike_bureau/

+1 for the saddlebags too, love them!

Courant

+1 saddlebags are more this season than racks ... Just got my mini carradice and I love it in the warm weather.

I've been wanting to find the Rivendell maker who does crazy old style tweed bags, who's apparently here in the UK... seems to have no web profile outside the Rivendell site.

I just came across this: http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/news/WiseWords/wise_words_sweat_free_commuting.aspx

Might be of use to you.

i have always ridden a bike with something on my back, i think i would be uncomfortable with out it

a monkey?