Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Messenger bags and sweaty backs

Everything that doesn't have a plastic pinch buckle on the strap beats chrome, imo. Reload is the shiznat.

A) most panniers are tiny compared to a messenger bag
B) you cant leave freight on the bike at every stop
C) you need to be able to move quickly, when your doing a stop every 6 minutes you don't have time to dick around
D) sweat? non-issue, you will sweat every day of work no matter how cold it is outside

I just bought one of these Timbuk2 Slants for $80. **** yah I'm hipster! http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/totes/single-speed-slant

bryan, I saw you today on king about 4:30.

I'll do some research on it, but to be honest bro, it looks like a Timbuk2 on 'roids. Honestly, it sits really low on the shoulder, and it doesn't look like it would be comfortable on the shoulder while riding.

I've had three chrome bags the regular messenger ones, and a backpack, sold the backpack was uncomfortable to me because of my boobs, the straps dug into my armpits, I've had my one metropolis chrome for about three years now it's gone through hell and back great bag.

but if I had a choice to pick one out of all my bags it would be my bailey works. I absolutely love that bag, I have the xxl one it's gigantic! but amazing. I'm 5'1" and it's like half my size but it's seriously the best bag Ive had and would highly recommend them. they're completely worth the 125-190 they cost. and chrome is about the same price anyways but all of the bailey works bags are handmade too.

1. +1 Racks make it much harder to maneuver in tight traffic quickly. my cruiser will have have a basket

2.My KHS flite 100 "track" bike has rack mounts, what are you on?

First he said "most". Second, sure those aren't mounts for fenders?

I've had three chrome bags the regular messenger ones, and a backpack, sold the backpack was uncomfortable to me because of my boobs, the straps dug into my armpits, I've had my one metropolis chrome for about three years now it's gone through hell and back great bag.

but if I had a choice to pick one out of all my bags it would be my bailey works. I absolutely love that bag, I have the xxl one it's gigantic! but amazing. I'm 5'1" and it's like half my size but it's seriously the best bag Ive had and would highly recommend them. they're completely worth the 125-190 they cost. and chrome is about the same price anyways but all of the bailey works bags are handmade too.

Thanks for this informative post. I might just order me one. Are there any features that you don't like or that you really do enjoy? I'm guessing since they are hand made that you can have them 'custom' made too!?

I decided to get a Chrome after finding a citizen on cg for 80 with a rare black buckle. Otherwise I might have considered other options...I guess I'm a hipster lol. Still, it's a great bag.

the only downside to a sweaty back and a messenger bag is if u used a non water resistent marker to decorate....

The weight on your back in traffic allows for a great deal more control than the weight on the machine itself... ohh and a sweaty back shouldn't bother you unless you're a five year old girl, in which case, baskets are cool!

because you can't be hipster with a rack/pannier...duh. it's all in the look. style over function. the same way we drive around sporty cars over pickup trucks/vans...or use a belt instead of a piece of string...or drink wine over 40s.

selected this to quote from for no particular reason except that it's typical.

first of all, wear a jersey or a poly shirt, and your backsweat will dry in no time. secondly, are we talking about messengers, or are we talking about everybody else?

i ride with a bag because I don't want things hanging off my bike that can be nicked when I'm riding around in a city where peoples pedals get stolen. Someone's probably not going to lift racks, but who the hell wants to remove a pannier and carry that around all day? My ortlieb roll-top and timbuk2 shoulder bag are much preferable when it comes to living on my bike, out and about, without getting home for three or four days at a time.

would i prefer racks for taking loads long distances? hell yes. a couple years ago i was using a stem and bullhorns sticking back from my seatpost to carry some additional weight long distances; i should probably just up and buy a rack like that. or wait for my cross/touring bike to mythically appear in front of me.

style is the reason that a lot of people make choices about their bike and their accessories - not necessarily sitting around thinking "what's gonna look rad," but rather, looking around and thinking, "what's the done thing in this situation?" and just doing what they see, going by their experience. Which is pretty standard behavior. But there are other options out there; there are also reasons for some of the behavior that you see going on.

Which is more interesting than logging on to bikeforums and parroting "blah hipster fashion blah."

I've had three chrome bags the regular messenger ones, and a backpack, sold the backpack was uncomfortable to me because of my boobs, the straps dug into my armpits, I've had my one metropolis chrome for about three years now it's gone through hell and back great bag.

but if I had a choice to pick one out of all my bags it would be my bailey works. I absolutely love that bag, I have the xxl one it's gigantic! but amazing. I'm 5'1" and it's like half my size but it's seriously the best bag Ive had and would highly recommend them. they're completely worth the 125-190 they cost. and chrome is about the same price anyways but all of the bailey works bags are handmade too.

The subject of shoulder bags and breasts comes up every now and again; a few weeks ago I was in New Haven, CT, and a rider there made a bag with a squiggly strap to accomodate her breasts. It was pretty innovative - the strap had a gentle S curve, so that it came out from under her left armpit, below her left breast, up and between the two, and over the right. Super cool and simple design.

I'll do some research on it, but to be honest bro, it looks like a Timbuk2 on 'roids. Honestly, it sits really low on the shoulder, and it doesn't look like it would be comfortable on the shoulder while riding.

are you talking about baileyworks? they make great bags. the split strap design allows you to get the bag real tight to your body. they are comfortable as hell for riding. chrome bags however, are not. if you have a file box or anything in them, they start to dig into your shoulder and cause pain. crappy bags.

I just use a fanny pack when it heats up. I have one big enough for any tools I may need, and I just throw my lock in my belt loop. You get creative when it's 115 outside.

Went to panniers & rack about a year ago after many years of messenger bags (which came after many yrs of 2-strap backpacks). Have to say I loved not being so sweaty and my neck and shoulders didn't ache as much.

Took the rack off twice this year just for the hell of it - wow. didn't realize what a beast they made my bike. This time it may stay off permanently. So much easier to whip between traffic, climb, etc.

I have had to learn to pack less crap in my bag though. Less heavy crap, at least (tools, etc)