Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - (messenger) backpack recommendation.

hey folks-

having a large messenger (shoulder) bag is slowly taking its toll on my spine. i am considering shelling out for a nice messenger backpack. i would like a decent size bag (~3000+ cu in.), don't want to pay a mint, and would like to not wait months and months.

i have done a bit of investigating. and found out:

-the seagull webpage says it will take ~6 weeks for anything besides the big black bag. i emailed them and have yet to even hear back about things. so a quick turnaround seems unlikely.

-the folks at reload are confusing me with their email responses. they say they are redesigning things and blew through their stock of backpacks (or maybe i am misunderstanding this all). but i heard something on the order of a 6 months wait, maybe more?

anyone have any thoughts? any other thoughts on other solid companies producing big backpacks?

2400 cu in, might be a too small for you but check it out anyway... http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/23/

you're obviously not a messenger, why not stop faking the funk and get a (regular midwestern person) backpack?

i didn't know i needed to be a messenger to buy a bag??? i ride my bike 15-30 miles a day and i carry a ton of ****. carrying a 30 pack in "a (regular midwestern person) backpack" just won't work.

but thanks for the pretension...

(edit).

my gf rides a bmx backpack. she can carry a case of beer in it with no problem, mostly because she doesn't waste her energy playing pretend.
but whatever, do what you feel you have to do.

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=53&cid=2

my gf rides a bmx backpack. she can carry a case of beer in it with no problem, mostly because she doesn't waste her energy playing pretend.
but whatever, do what you feel you have to do.

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=53&cid=2

thanks for the thoughts on the ortlieb. and thanks for the hate. ride 365 in midwestern winters then come call that "pretend". drop the fixie pretense, it doesn't work in the 215 and it doesn't work here either...

3,000 cubic inches is HUGE. The Chrome Backbone is only 2400. Sure you need it that big?

Personally, I swear by my Crumpler Famous Wine Bar (http://bikemag.com/gear/accessories/Crumpler_famous_wine_bar/), but it's about half the size you want.

contrary to east-coast opinion, midwesterners can indeed benefit from bags such as this one:
http://www.chromebags.com/products/bags/show/30/

i find it quite comfortable, it holds everything i need to carry (books, laptop, clothes, shoes, etc...) and, most importantly, is entirely water-proof. the shape is quite tall and flat so, if your primary interest is sticking a case of beer into it, this probably isn't the solution for you but it still recommend it as a nice, dry, large-volume backpack. i got mine for $110 at the LBS...

sierra trading post- timbuk2 bags for like 50% off

Yada yada chrome rolltop yada yada.
I sincerely doubt you need a 3000+ cubic inch bag.

you are likely right. but my reload deluxe is filled up at least once a week... so i figured i would air on the side of caution (and get the most of my money, especially since i am likely throwing down $150-200).


Yada yada chrome rolltop yada yada.
I sincerely doubt you need a 3000+ cubic inch bag.

Well you sir are carrying alot of ****.
My day to day stuff diesn't even fill my Chrome Citizen.

playing big-city bike messenger must take up lots of space!!

playing big-city bike messenger must take up lots of space!!

Playing internet troll must take up alot of your riding time!!

not a lot of riding going on at 12 in the morning.

why is everyone being so lame? he wants a big bag to put beer in. just because you put your 30 packs in your a-holes when you ride doesn't mean he needs a smaller bag than you.

midwest- if you want a bag that size, you're unfortunately gonna have to shell out some cash for it. my best suggestion is to put your messenger up on CL and put that money toward the new bag.

if your back hurts from riding with a messenger bag i'd imagine it's pretty full;)

my gf rides a bmx backpack. she can carry a case of beer in it with no problem, mostly because she doesn't waste her energy playing pretend.
but whatever, do what you feel you have to do.

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=53&cid=2

Yeah, but it probably hurts her back too.

No offense it may be unessicary for him to have such a large bag but granted why should you really care? If you truly enjoy riding you're bike you wouldn't find it necessary to waste your time *****ing about what other people should and shouldn't be aloud to do. I mean it's one thing to give someone **** for having a pink frame and some neon deep v's, but dude this isn't some ****ing soap opera. In skateboarding people are respected for what they can do on the skateboard, not what kind of shoes or board they're riding. Just saying dude.. pahah

I like the Crumpler bags myself.

Check out the "Famous Wine Bar" model.

saltyroad- word.

maybe it's just me but madison is a way more awesome cycling city than philadelphia.

maybe it's just me but madison is a way more awesome cycling city than philadelphia.

+1

didn't really move to philly specifically for the cycling.... kinda just ride philly cuz i live there.

thanks much to all for the suggestions. madison is a bit better than philly for riding. but i still miss going down chestnut or walnut to and from center city.

freight bags. You'll likley have to call around to find one, but they're worth it. I was using mine today, and managed to fit 2 banker boxes (full of those manila folders and what-have-you) in there. The bag weighed a ****load, but didn't kill my back.

+1

And Minneapolis is even better.

If only we could have an attitude like this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5czkN61nsc&feature=related

Those vids were the best 1/2 hour I've spend on the internet in a long time. Beats blowing money on eBay any day.:thumb:

but i still miss going down chestnut

ugh... are you serious??

not a lot of riding going on at 12 in the morning.

Some of my favorite times to ride are in the late evening/early morning. It's quiet, cooler, the air is cleaner and there's far less traffic/pedestrians. Personal prefference counts for a lot though I admit.


I like the Crumpler bags myself.

Check out the "Famous Wine Bar" model.

I like my crumpled bag as well with a few caveats.

1) The backpack models such as I have aren't messenger bags.
2) They carry alot and are strong and waterproof and well designed in terms of cargo space, but with heavy loads even using the cross strap to secure it to my chest it has a tendency to slide off my back and to my side when I'm in the drops.

Maybe one of the "messenger" type bags addresses this. All told I'm still happy with the backpack

freight bags. You'll likley have to call around to find one, but they're worth it. I was using mine today, and managed to fit 2 banker boxes (full of those manila folders and what-have-you) in there. The bag weighed a ****load, but didn't kill my back.

+1.

if you can get your hands on one, some of the SAG backpacks are really awesome and around the same price range as a chrome backpack.

******baggery aside, why aren't you considering the ortlieb? it's waterproof, huge, durable, incredibly visible to drivers...

Deuter makes an excellent line of cycling specific backpacks. They are very well built and designed, and have wonderful back cooling properties.

Why wouldn't even a casual bike rider not want a bag, or any other gear, designed from input from or used by people who consider themselves 'professional' bike riders?

And Minneapolis is even better. +10

******baggery aside, why aren't you considering the ortlieb? it's waterproof, huge, durable, incredibly visible to drivers...

i am considering it. the likely plan is to search craigslist for the next 2-3 weeks, to see if i can find a used ortlieb backpack or crumpler famous wine bag... both seem like solid options.

Why wouldn't even a casual bike rider not want a bag, or any other gear, designed from input from or used by people who consider themselves 'professional' bike riders?

The thing with messenger bags is that alot of what they're designed for carries over to non messenge cyclists but not everything. Rainproof and secure straps are useful, but for instance the ability to be able to quickly reach into your bag to remove a package without having to take the bag off is something messenger specific that is not useful to your average cyclist. Personally, this is why I prefer backpacks over messenger bags, since I'm not delivering packages, I prefer the added stability of a backpack.

The thing with messenger bags is that alot of what they're designed for carries over to non messenge cyclists but not everything. Rainproof and secure straps are useful, but for instance the ability to be able to quickly reach into your bag to remove a package without having to take the bag off is something messenger specific that is not useful to your average cyclist. Personally, this is why I prefer backpacks over messenger bags, since I'm not delivering packages, I prefer the added stability of a backpack.

True. Camelbak...

The thing with messenger bags is that alot of what they're designed for carries over to non messenge cyclists but not everything. Rainproof and secure straps are useful, but for instance the ability to be able to quickly reach into your bag to remove a package without having to take the bag off is something messenger specific that is not useful to your average cyclist. Personally, this is why I prefer backpacks over messenger bags, since I'm not delivering packages, I prefer the added stability of a backpack.

Right now I'm looking for a decent backpack, as my current army surplus one-strap affair is doing a real number on my shoulder, but I have to say, as someone who carries my bag around with me nearly all the time, I do find that ability useful.

Just being able to toss my bag around onto my lap in one quick twist and pull a book out easily makes it handy to enough to have that I'm thinking twice about a backpack, but between carrying all the weight on one shoulder all the time and clicking my mouse 8 hours a day with the same arm, my shoulder is ****ing killing me.

And before you say it, I just can't toss it over my other shoulder. It feels...wrong...

i know that the SAG bags are sort of expensive and hard to find, but ive got an Airforce 1 and love it. Its got a ton of space, roll top, and a side zipper so you can sling it around without taking it off to get at contents inside.

Right now I'm looking for a decent backpack, as my current army surplus one-strap affair is doing a real number on my shoulder, but I have to say, as someone who carries my bag around with me nearly all the time, I do find that ability useful.

Just being able to toss my bag around onto my lap in one quick twist and pull a book out easily makes it handy to enough to have that I'm thinking twice about a backpack, but between carrying all the weight on one shoulder all the time and clicking my mouse 8 hours a day with the same arm, my shoulder is ****ing killing me.

And before you say it, I just can't toss it over my other shoulder. It feels...wrong...

1 word. Yoga.

For serious.


But I know what you mean, carrying my camera bag around one shoulder for a few hours does the same thing, I couldn't imagine carrying the amount of **** I carry in a backpack on just one shoulder. Usually after a cross city ride I have soreness in both shoulders if I'm carrying my roller derby (reffing) gear, one shoulder would be hellish.

someone mentioned Chrome Roll-Top packs earlier in this thread. Has anyone tried one? They seem really expensive at 150ish but they also look pretty durable. I'm no serious messenger, but I do want to invest in a well built weatherproof backpack that I can do some decent riding with. So is the Pawn worth it?

edit: also it needs to be able to hold a laptop, a couple text books, daily essentials, and maybe a shirt/pair of pants.

Front basket, like the A.N.T. bikes. Get a big, flat, porteur-style rack and you are golden.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2530367817_7a2113d13d_m.jpg

You will kill your back with that kind of volume being supported while riding.

After 40, all of the impact and strain sins of your life come back to haunt you...