Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Seagull Black Bag review

Earlier today I got my Seagull black bag (standard size) in the mail and was able to go out on a couple short rides with it, thought I'd post a review/initial impressions for those who are interested. First off, I should say that Seagull was great to deal with. Email responses were quick and friendly, and I received the bag in a little over two weeks when they estimated it'd take three just to be shipped, which was a pleasant surprise. Also, the bag is $95 shipped which puts it at the low end of the price spectrum for quality handbuilt bags.

First thing I noticed when I pulled it out is that this thing is really big (as expected). To conform to the industry standard measure of carrying capacity, it can easily fit a case and a couple 40s with room to spare. I went and got some groceries (two boxes of cereal, half gallon of milk, a big thing of oatmeal, and some cornbread mix to go with the chili we made tonight :D) and it seemed to hardly put a dent in all the space. Later I hauled my gigantic anchor of a laptop, a bunch of books and a jacket and there was still plenty of room. This load was pretty heavy and the bag stayed situated and comfortable. Check here (http://seagullbagsohio.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html) for a link to tons of pictures of stuff being packed in it and more info about the features.

The layout and features of the bag are good, although not incredibly fancy. On the outside of the main pouch (under the flap) there is a big velcro pocket that I'm keeping my tools in to separate them from everything else. Also on this part of the bag is a strap to clip a blinky too. This is nice for me since I don't like switching my light from bike to bike and messing with mounting hardware all the time. When the bag is unloaded the flap can cover the light if you pull it all the way down, which is a bit of a downside. In the main compartment is a smaller velcro organizer pocket good for a cell phone and some pencils or any other small things you want to keep separated, along with a clip for a toolbag or whatever else you can think to put on there. The main strap has comfy padding and a centering strap that has so far done well to keep the bag from moving around.

The construction of the bag feels very sturdy and looks clean and professional. All the buckles and straps are solid and the cinch mechanism on the main strap is the beefiest damn thing I've ever seen. I obviously haven't ridden it in the rain yet but the lining seems like it will keep things dry.

Overall, I think I'm going to be really happy with it. I dig the simple design and nearly non-existent branding. Basically the flap is a big canvas that I'm pretty tempted to do something with (ideas?), but we'll see. Its size makes it a little silly to use if you're only carrying a small load, but I already have a smaller bag for that (crappy as it is, it works). Anybody else here have one of these?

your thoughts are the same as mine. I've put 1500 miles on mine and it still seems brand new. the only other complaint I have is the size of the flap is overkill, and some reflective touches would be cool but then again the simple black is why I love it. I can't rave enough about this bag it's great and a phenomenal deal! I also need to praise the placement of the U-lock holder it is the most convenient thing ever and I dont' even notice the lock when it is in place.

where is the u-lock holder on your bag? i'm not sure if mine has that on it.

give me a sec I'll take a pic

yea i have had mine for 3 months now and the bag is like new. the only sign of wear is the nasty salt water the sprays on the bag from the nasty roads here in WI. where exactly is the u-lock holder? above the buckle somehow? best bag i have owned, and god the price, unreal!

http://brianr86.googlepages.com/IMG_2663.JPG/IMG_2663-custom;size:420,315.JPG it's great and it's right between the strap and the seat belt material.

ah nice, i usually pocket mine but i may have to try that method.

http://brianr86.googlepages.com/IMG_2663.JPG/IMG_2663-custom;size:420,315.JPG it's great and it's right between the strap and the seat belt material.

Wow. I'd hate to crash with a huge piece of metal strapped to my chest. Seems like the absolutely unsafest place to put your lock.

^^ exactly what i was thinking; if you go over the bars with the u-lock there, it's a wrap!

My seagull backpack has been nothing but amazing:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2281192488_191568379e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2281193000_bbc54fb2b7.jpg

That's three full size cereal boxes that still leave more than enough room for the rest of the grocery load. The compression straps work great to get it down to a manageable size for every day use.

I <3 my blackbag. So much quality and space for so little money.

Need to get a smaller bag for everyday use though, and yes it will be a seagull.

I keep my lock tucked between my chest and my strap on my Chrome bag. I ended up getting in an accident and supermanning dat hoe, and the lock had somehow flown out and away from my chest before I hit the ground. Granted, I landed on my shoulder, but I'm pretty sure it left that spot mid-flight. I guess I'm just lucky. I haven't had any problems yet and it's quite convenient for locking up your bike without having to manipulate your bag.

sry for hijack.

Comically oversized bags are fun, but my next bag is going to be something I don't dread putting on. Sweaty-backed cotton tshirts are the devil's *******.

Also, you guys might be more effective pedaling-machines if you ate something besides cereal and cheap beer.

Also, you guys might be more effective pedaling-machines if you ate something besides cereal and cheap beer.

pchhhhh...





...well... do you really think so? should we drink more expensive beer then?

pchhhhh...





...well... do you really think so? should we drink more expensive beer then?

I wish I had the answer. I'm constantly torn between trying to improve my conditioning on the one hand, or getting really ****ed up and acting silly on the other.

I wish I had the answer. I'm constantly torn between trying to improve my conditioning on the one hand, or getting really ****ed up and acting silly on the other.

Thats because your have your priorities turned around. Ride hard THEN drink. Nothing replenishes those carbs like a nice cold New Castle

A few of my co-workers have Seagull bags and I am jealous. While my "Kemmer" bag gets the job done and is plenty comfy, those Seagull buckles are totally awesome and solid and so easy to adjust.

My seagull backpack has been nothing but amazing:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2281192488_191568379e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2281193000_bbc54fb2b7.jpg

That's three full size cereal boxes that still leave more than enough room for the rest of the grocery load. The compression straps work great to get it down to a manageable size for every day use.

mondrian; that's awesome

My seagull backpack has been nothing but amazing:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2281192488_191568379e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2281193000_bbc54fb2b7.jpg

That's three full size cereal boxes that still leave more than enough room for the rest of the grocery load. The compression straps work great to get it down to a manageable size for every day use.

nice mondrian-esque flap design. the backpack that dan and friends are making me should be done pretty soon. i'm quite stoked. it's fairly preposterous.

whats the price on a standard black one?

95 bones, according to the OP.

nice mondrian-esque flap design. the backpack that dan and friends are making me should be done pretty soon. i'm quite stoked. it's fairly preposterous.

Thanks! I picked up that backpack not long after the Bum Shuffle, and it has already been across the country and all up and down the west coast from SF to Seattle; down to NC. Backpacks rule, it's really nice to be able to walk around with a full bag and not feel like it's going to rip your shoulder off.

But for the purposes of this thread, it's worth mentioning that my backpack was a lot more money than $95. And, to spend only $95 by a bag hand made by the same people is insane, I can't imagine why anyone is still choosing Reload or Chrome. Both are very very nice bags, but at that price level the Black Bag is unbeatable.

Also, you guys might be more effective pedaling-machines if you ate something besides cereal and cheap beer.

then how are we to afford expensive njs bikes?

http://brianr86.googlepages.com/IMG_2663.JPG/IMG_2663-custom;size:420,315.JPG it's great and it's right between the strap and the seat belt material.

READY 4 COURIER

yeah, i've had my blackbag for a while now. i doubt i'll ever have anything but amazing things to say about seagull. super friendly and quick to respond/ship. the only issue i have with the bag(which isn't really much of an issue at all) is how big the flap is. it can cover the light, and kind of bunches at the bottom a bit when the bag isn't super full.
but seriously, loffs it.

Well, the bag already got a taste of wetness in the form of flying slush juice from the road this morning. If I were to put this in terms of a cockfight, the black bag strutted around the ring assuredly while being impervious to the pecks of the rival H2Ocock.

mmmm.... watercock.

How does this compare to the Reload Courier sizewise and comfortwise? Does anyone have experience with both and have a review. Thanks.

*edit- checked out their Flickr page, looks like there are 3 diff prototypes. Which is the one that you got? Is the liner black or orange? Orange would def make finding things easier. Looks like the straps are a little diff on the Flickr page too. One looks to use a seatbelt type material, the other looks like the stiffer straps found on a Timbuk2 (which I actually prefer).

Well, i'm stupid, i'll just e-mail my questions to the seagull guy, and i'll post back if anyone is interested.

Black Bag is larger than a Chrome Metropolis. True or False?

to ZC: true. i would suggest checking this (http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/9425-Seagull-Black-Bag-vs-Chrome-Citizen-vs-Chrome-Minimetro-vs-Chrome-Pawn-vs-Textbook) out.

to ZC: true. i would suggest checking this (http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/9425-Seagull-Black-Bag-vs-Chrome-Citizen-vs-Chrome-Minimetro-vs-Chrome-Pawn-vs-Textbook) out.

that website is really ****ing cool. Good find

yeah, i found it really useful when picking what size to go with. it was one of the first few results i found when googleing 'seagull black bag size', which i thought was pretty sweet.

*edit- checked out their Flickr page, looks like there are 3 diff prototypes. Which is the one that you got? Is the liner black or orange? Orange would def make finding things easier. Looks like the straps are a little diff on the Flickr page too. One looks to use a seatbelt type material, the other looks like the stiffer straps found on a Timbuk2 (which I actually prefer).

Well, i'm stupid, i'll just e-mail my questions to the seagull guy, and i'll post back if anyone is interested.

mine has the orange lining. the buckles have the stiffer webbed straps while the main strap is made of a more seatbelt type material, which is nice because it slides through the cinch really easily but still doesn't slip. also, the seagull logo on the main flap is black instead of red.

I got a few PMs requesting a bag review, so I posted some detail pictures at:

http://flickr.com/photos/rudetay/sets/72157603994623699/

And, I'll write up a review when I get a chance.

I got a few PMs requesting a bag review, so I posted some detail pictures at:

http://flickr.com/photos/rudetay/sets/72157603994623699/

And, I'll write up a review when I get a chance.

Hope that bag is treating you well. Did i get back to you about the race?

I'm really digging the custom Seagulls but they might be out of my price range now, so I'm thinking either a Blackbag or a Chrome. Hows the Black Bag in comparison to the Chrome Messenger? Hows getting the Blackbag on and off? I wish they had a quick release...

Hey curiousinstinct, what type (brand) of blinking light did you attach to the blackbag?

damn, wish i had known about the black bag before i picked up my bailey works super pro L last year....

what is wrong with the bailey works bag? I think the buckle they have on those are awesome. But it is a bit on the expensive side.

Last week I ordered a medium black bag. Can't wait!

what is wrong with the bailey works bag? I think the buckle they have on those are awesome. But it is a bit on the expensive side.
Nothing wrong with it; the buckle is awesome. I've wiped-out pretty hard three times since I got it, and none of the plastic hardware on it is broken from any of those crashes, and there's little wear on the fabric.

But yeah, I also paid $100 for it than what the Seagull costs. Oh well, no regrets really.