Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - bag question (for the ladies)

so... my wifes birthday is coming up, and she needs some luggage. Ideally, something she could take if she bikes to work and wouldn't swing around too much as she's ripping uphill (so I guess it would need to sling across the body)

...but...

the bag would still look... FABULOUS... in other situations. (or at least have some weird bird or star cutouts or other hip girly type things)

I've heard of a few companies making allegedly "messenger-lite" bags, but I'm suspicious that they are just trying to glom onto the recent trend and not really making something that's acceptable for use on a bicycle.

It's not really deathly important that the bag be indestructible, just good enough to make it through her lesiurely, slow commute to work

Any advice you could give is def. appreciated, thanks!

a backpack.

*ed: specifically a bmx backpack. if she's not a messenger, a single-shoulder type bag will only be an annoyance and make her look corny to onlookers.

http://www.fatbmx.com/uploads3/200701/wk01/unitedbackbag.jpg

I'm no lady, but I feel obligated to give my opinion anyway. I've heard that the Pac Designs (http://www.pacdesigns.com/firsts.htm) messenger bags with the X-strap work well for most ladies. They are very expensive and large though, so they may not be for her.

If you decide to go with a backpack, I recommend Ortlieb. They are waterproof, highly adjustable, and built to last. I have their Flight backpack, which I reviewed here (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=299121&highlight=ortlieb), if you have any questions about that model.

Get thee to Fabrichorse for a seatbelt bag (http://www.fabrichorse.com/index.php?page=bags&item=107) or some of their other stuff. They're made by a cool chick in Philly who knows what chicks like in a smaller bag for cycling. check it...

http://www.fabrichorse.com/img/WORK_seatbeltbag3.jpg
http://www.fabrichorse.com/img/WORK_seatbeltbag5.jpg

That seatbelt bag looks horribly uncomfortable. Strap going across one's boob and all.

Anyway, other than my snarky opinion, I don't really have any suggestions for you. I like my cheap mess bag from REI quite a bit. Nothing fancy but it does the job. Consider buying something plain and then adding bird/star patches yourself for that extra oh-sweetie-i-love-it reaction you're going for :)

Here are a few on sale from Crumpler: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?allWords=crumpler&searchDescriptions=True

a backpack.

+1

I'm not a woman either, but I know several who prefer backpacks, particularly the Chrome. I just bought something similar from a guy who makes them locally, it might not behoove you to buy one from him and ship it across country but it might be something closer to what you're looking for than the chrome. (search "lemolo" in the forums if you're interested, or google lemolo bags)

I'd suggest something like this, even though it's not exactly FABULOUS: http://www.chromebags.com/images/products/ranchero/colors/lrg_ranchero_Blk_Blk.jpg?height=500&width=500

and for what it's worth, in my experience a bag like this is often something that someone has to choose for herself. like a pair of jeans or a hat. difficult things to buy for other people...

Good Luck.

That seatbelt bag looks horribly uncomfortable. Strap going across one's boob and all.

Anyway, other than my snarky opinion, I don't really have any suggestions for you. I like my cheap mess bag from REI quite a bit. Nothing fancy but it does the job. Consider buying something plain and then adding bird/star patches yourself for that extra oh-sweetie-i-love-it reaction you're going for :)

Not owning a pair of chesticles, mind you, I thot the designer's idea was to route the strap under the wearer's boob (contrary to most male-centric, boob-smashing mess bags). But WTF do I know? I've met a few ladies who own the bag that liked it. :)

have you thought about a berthoud or carradice that is removeable from the bike?

+1

I'm not a woman either, but I know several who prefer backpacks, particularly the Chrome. I just bought something similar from a guy who makes them locally, it might not behoove you to buy one from him and ship it across country but it might be something closer to what you're looking for than the chrome. (search "lemolo" in the forums if you're interested, or google lemolo bags)

I'd suggest something like this, even though it's not exactly FABULOUS: http://www.chromebags.com/images/products/ranchero/colors/lrg_ranchero_Blk_Blk.jpg?height=500&width=500

and for what it's worth, in my experience a bag like this is often something that someone has to choose for herself. like a pair of jeans or a hat. difficult things to buy for other people...

Good Luck.

I have that bag, I dont think it fits women well.
I have a REload back pack that I love.
I've also tried on freight bags and that fit really well.
Results may vary, but I prefer backpacks