Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Pack it up

I need a real bag. My school backpack isn't cutting it anymore for grocery and/or laundry runs. Even daily errands have become an ordeal filled with flurries of packaging yarn and duct tape. HELP!!!
What is a good, large, high quality backpack. Even a messenger bag would work, as long as it doesn't make me look pretentious. :rolleyes:
Thanks as always...

pac messenger bags (http://www.pacdesigns.com/about.htm). the one i have is ****ing great.

or REload. i know that freewheels carries reload. they're pretty ill. last time i was there they had a custom one that had a pirate ship embroidered on the flap. it. looked. fantastic.

For all of you Lucklustophiles scoring at home...

No brakes....check

Hairnet...check

messenger bag...working on it

Quicksilver moved to top of Netflix queue...check

Kool Aid...check

I personally find messenger bags uncomfortable. If you feel the same way, check out the Ortlieb Velocity. It is touted as a messenger bag, yet has the form factor of a traditional backpack. Little expensive, but they seem tough. I haven't actually used one though, so who knows.. My Eastpak from seventh grade is still going strong ten years later. All I carry is a u-lock though.

-Jason

i love my timbuk2 bag! could be half the fact they sponsor our team and we got them extremely cheap. but i just got a reload strap pouch and frame pad. i really like their stuff even though i haven't tried a bag. plus they really let you do some trick custom work. there's also chrome bags too. reload has the backpack style bags too if a messenger bag is not your style. personally, i've done everything with mine from carrying 25 books to an lcd projector while riding brakeless. so much fun.

I like tibuk2 too - I've got the Bolo, and it fits a case of PBR, a six pack of bottles (no box) and a 1.75 with my road tools :)

Kind of heavy that way though...

But this is a good link :

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/byobclassic.t2

I need to get one with the quick release switched to the left....

For all of you Lucklustophiles scoring at home...

No brakes....check

Hairnet...check

messenger bag...working on it

Quicksilver moved to top of Netflix queue...check

Kool Aid...check


ZING!!!

For all of you Lucklustophiles scoring at home...

No brakes....check

Hairnet...check

messenger bag...working on it

Quicksilver moved to top of Netflix queue...check

Kool Aid...check
wow...someone's jaded. Or angry that he queued up Quicksilver ahead of you.

wow...someone's jaded. Or angry that he queued up Quicksilver ahead of you.

COUNTER-ZING !!

I bought a chrome bag per 165's recommendation. It's water proof, looks nice, comfortable (I can bring a manual, change of clothes, lunch, and new york chain) and hauls a ton.

I had a small collision with a pedestrian and took a skider on the bag. Still durable.

Expensive, but worth EVERY penny. They kick ass. And they are William proof. After all, I am Beta man.

BaileyWorks ...BaileyWorks ( http://www.baileyworks.com) .. BaileyWorks. I have an extralarge superpro courier, and a large 253 courier, and i absolutely love both of them. Ultra comfortable, all replaceable parts, waterproof, bombproof. And the colors are sexy. maybe a little heavy, but its all good construction. They are the way to go.

They kick ass. And they are William proof
Now that's something I'm sure they're in a hurrry to put on the tag.

Now that's something I'm sure they're in a hurrry to put on the tag.
Hell, I would

I would say the massive Chrome messenger. I am a teacher and use it to commute to school, which requires that I carry all or some of the following on any given day: a full set of clothes, shoes, lunch, books/papers, beating stick, a cattle prod, a student cage, a place to rest my weary head, among other things. I love it, it is massive, and it fits very well on the back with their cross strap. Here's the page for it:

http://www.chromebags.com/Kremlin.html

They also have some discounted models which are great. They have no obvious malfunctions and they are available here:

http://www.chromebags.com/Kremlin_seconds.html

I've got a JAAND bag that I've used for the last 4-5 years for just about everything. Very durable in my experience.

Dave

Now that's something I'm sure they're in a hurrry to put on the tag.

I'm sure they'd want you on the tag too:

"rough enough for goat sex"

;)

Now that's something I'm sure they're in a hurrry to put on the tag.

I'm sure they'd want you on the tag too:

"rough enough for goat sex"

;)

I need a real bag. My school backpack isn't cutting it anymore for grocery and/or laundry runs. Even daily errands have become an ordeal filled with flurries of packaging yarn and duct tape. HELP!!!
What is a good, large, high quality backpack. Even a messenger bag would work, as long as it doesn't make me look pretentious. :rolleyes:
Thanks as always...
Here's my recommendation.
www.courierwareusa.com
I have one of their large bags and really like it. They make all sizes and have a great guarante plus a trade in policy. Not just courier bags but laptop cases and other stuff. They are a bunch of ex-Boston people who moved to the country and are now living and doing business in Vermont. Check them out at the above web site.

Fixedgearhead

I'm sure they'd want you on the tag too:

"rough enough for goat sex"

Wow Willy, I see you've used my time off to think up some new, never before used material. Thanks for keeping the creative tap open just for me.

Hey! I just noticed timbuk2 has a messenger/yoga pack. Nothing helps a 30mi sore back better than rabbit-pose. Maybe Chrome will incorporate a pipe in their buckle next. Hippies rule! jeff.

al5- Spring Break!!!

Hey! I just noticed timbuk2 has a messenger/yoga pack. Nothing helps a 30mi sore back better than rabbit-pose. Maybe Chrome will incorporate a pipe in their buckle next. Hippies rule! jeff.

al5- Spring Break!!!

yes.. it is spring break.. and yes.. i am topless to celebrate

Wow Willy, I see you've used my time off to think up some new, never before used material. Thanks for keeping the creative tap open just for me.

Yeah, I suck at insults. Sorry I couldn't come up with anything better or more dramatic. I apologize my insult wasn't insulting enough.

But we did miss you.

I'm rockin' a Dakine Large messenger bag... of course we sell them here at work, so I can get a discount.. but it will hold a change of clothes, a crapload of magazines, a lapto, a cell phone, and other random junk... has a waist strap, and a padded shoulder strap... even straps underneath for your yoga mat, or tube...

http://www.swell.com/product.aspx?sku=200762098&loc=19851

jeff

I personally find messenger bags uncomfortable. If you feel the same way, check out the Ortlieb Velocity. It is touted as a messenger bag, yet has the form factor of a traditional backpack. Little expensive, but they seem tough. I haven't actually used one though, so who knows.. My Eastpak from seventh grade is still going strong ten years later. All I carry is a u-lock though.

-Jason

ortlieb make pretty great bags (albeit funky looking) bags. REload makes a GIANT backpack that's supposed to be the tops, and Pac has an option called the "X" strap that is basically an extra shoulder strap sewn onto the flap of the bag that buckles to the main strap...and they have a waist strap too. they have a lot of really cool options, and they're comfortable bags. a friend of mine in santa fe has the second largest size with ALL the strap options on it. i tried it on when i was visiting her and fell in love with it. when i got back to boston, i got one of my own (although without all the extra straps).

i also have a 3000 cu. in. chrome bag that i got for $60. it's an old kozmo bag without the logo. i modified it in santa fe because the buckle was positioned so that it dug into my ribs. (it actually gave me a nasty case of "OMG I CAN'T RAISE MY ARMS ABOVE MY HEAD WITHOUT SEARING PAIN IN MY SIDE!!!!"). it's a great bag, very durable, and it's the one i take with me whenever i go on a long trip or something.

timbukII bags just look uncomfortable to me. the strap without any padding makes my shoulder hurt just looking at it.

timbukII bags just look uncomfortable to me. the strap without any padding makes my shoulder hurt just looking at it.

They do sell strap pads, too.

I used to have one of the mid-size ones, and that one could get uncomfortable when it was completely packed. With the larger one, I've had no problems, but I am just using it to commute.

I think the best bet would be to go to your LBS and see what they have. Try a couple on and see how they feel. If there's one that feels 'almost' right and then find out if the manufacturer offers modifications for what feels wrong.

Getting a good bag is key to enjoying the ride - spend some time with it.

Go here http://www.fishproducts.com/catalog/productlinefs.html click on 'haul bags', scroll down to the atom smasher. You really want the atom smasher deluxe. It's meant to be dragged up rock faces. It's incredibly strong, reasonably waterproof, will hold an amazing amount of crap, and is made by a very small very cool group of big wall climbers. All fish gear rules. :)

They do sell strap pads, too.

but chrome, reload, and pac all come with the strap pad already ON the strap. the chrome straps are REALLLY nice. the pac strap is pretty good too. i've never gotten uncomfortable while using the bag, and i've carried some HEAVY stuff.

Zo or Chrome. Zo's great for that oldschool flavor, if you can still track the guy down. Chrome's made some nice improvements on the basic design. I don't trust timbuk2, though. They look like toy bags, and that buckle-y thing for strap tightness bugs the hell out of me.

Schiek, I was going to write a little tirade for you about how I was joking about buying the hair net etc. when I realized that I don't give a **** about what you think about me.
Anyway, I tried a chrome bag at the LBS, and rode around the block with it. I absolutely hated having all the weight on one shoulder. I need a regular backpack type bag. I like the Fish bag a lot, but there aren't any good pictures of it :( I couldn't find anything about reload bags though.

Schiek, I was going to write a little tirade for you about how I was joking about buying the hair net etc. when I realized that I don't give a **** about what you think about me.


Buck up little camper, I'm only funning ya...

C'mon, tirade away....makes you feel alive.

I couldn't find anything about reload bags though.

http://www.reloadbags.com

http://www.reloadbags.com
Those are pretty sweet.

Those are pretty sweet.

yep. that's gonna be my next bag. i already have two messenger bags and a hairnet. does that make me pretentious yet?

j--

yep. that's gonna be my next bag. i already have two messenger bags and a hairnet. does that make me pretentious yet?

j--

Quoting joy division always makes you pretentious.

Go here http://www.fishproducts.com/catalog/productlinefs.html click on 'haul bags', scroll down to the atom smasher. You really want the atom smasher deluxe. It's meant to be dragged up rock faces. It's incredibly strong, reasonably waterproof, will hold an amazing amount of crap, and is made by a very small very cool group of big wall climbers. All fish gear rules. :)
You one of dem dere Aid Climbers?

You one of dem dere Aid Climbers?

Life was different back in the day.
I was spending a lot more time learning about the finer points of clean aid. I hadn't been on anything longer than about 3 pitches (living in michigan will do that to you) and all my time in the valley had been doing free stuff. Then one clear evening a dinner plate sized rock nearly cut off an index finger. Two pins, a billion stitches, an artificial joint, fused tendon, and a lot of pain took me out of serious climbing for a while and my move to Texas put the final nail in the coffin.
I used the fish bag mostly when I would take groups out to teach 'outdoor' climbing. It was in incredible bag. It now sits in my attic with my ice tools in it.
It's a really nice tough bag though. Extrememly well built, and for those that care about such things, you'd be very very unlikely to cross paths with someone with one unless you rode into Yosemite Valley for some reason. The shape is pretty darn simple, it's a bucket, 21 inches tall and 12 inches around. Two removable shoulder straps and (if you order it) a waist belt. It's got a myriad of loops and such for clipping gear to though that's of little interest unless you actually have things to clip to it.
If you really want the ultimate laundry bag get the budget haul bag. It's a vinyl bucket 33 inches tall and 17 inches in diamater with a set of removable shoulder straps. You should be able to put all the clothes you own in it and take them anywhere. Its' fun, it's cooky, and mine is orange. It's as big as a garbage can.

I second the Bailey's extra large-I live out of mine and it keeps up quite well

Quoting joy division always makes you pretentious.

oh, well, that's cool. as long as it's not the hairnet.

j--

http://www.crumpler.com.au

They also now sell some super nice ( but tough and pretty heavy ) backpacks too, so you can either get the messenger bag stylee or the more practical backpack.

What other company would put up an icon of the middle finger when something isnt in stock?

FYI the backpacks are in the computer bags section. Not sure why. Check em out.

timbuk2 now outsource to sweatshops. if you are gonna get a shoulder bag, i would
recommend 1) pac, 2) bailey, or either reload or zo if you want old skool simplicity. huge metal seatbelts (like they put on chrome bags) are silly -- and needlessly heavy. pac bags are heavy, but they cover the waterproof vinyl with an extra layer of nylon. vinyl is not so durable so this extra layer is a huge improvement, imo. i have a pac bag and it is the best ive seen. almost perfect in ebery way. also if you want something she will most likely do it custom for you.

"habit is the ballast that chains the dog to its vomit" - s beckett

huge metal seatbelts (like they put on chrome bags) are silly -- and needlessly heavy.

"habit is the ballast that chains the dog to its vomit" - s beckett

They don't really add THAT much wait, silly. Plus they provide an easy out when you are in a hurry. They are not necessarily but a nice perk.

By the way, ephemeralskin: Nice Beckett quote. What's it from?

They don't really add THAT much wait, silly. Plus they provide an easy out when you are in a hurry. They are not necessarily but a nice perk.

By the way, ephemeralskin: Nice Beckett quote. What's it from?

other bags have the same type of buckle (pac, bailey) but they make them out of plastic. lighter and more comfortable. it is the not the buckle that is silly -- its a great idea -- its making it out of metal --- out of an automobile seatbelt --- that is gimmicky and just marketing hype. i dont think a plastic buckle is any less sturdy. at least not the one on my pac bag. there is no weight you could carry that would ever require a metal buckle.

the quote is from his monograph on proust.

timbuk2 now outsource to sweatshops. if you are gonna get a shoulder bag, i would
recommend 1) pac, 2) bailey, or either reload or zo if you want old skool simplicity. huge metal seatbelts (like they put on chrome bags) are silly -- and needlessly heavy. pac bags are heavy, but they cover the waterproof vinyl with an extra layer of nylon. vinyl is not so durable so this extra layer is a huge improvement, imo. i have a pac bag and it is the best ive seen. almost perfect in ebery way. also if you want something she will most likely do it custom for you.

"habit is the ballast that chains the dog to its vomit" - s beckett


Do you shave your head, your legs, and your nether regions to save wieght as well? Better take paint off, it's needlessly heavy. In fact, why have a bag at all, stuff is needlessly heavy. Why not just rollerblade naked on that point.

Do you shave your head, your legs, and your nether regions to save wieght as well? Better take paint off, it's needlessly heavy. In fact, why have a bag at all, stuff is needlessly heavy. Why not just rollerblade naked on that point.

ummm... its just my opinion. i think chrome bags are uncomfortable. my favorite bag, pac, is on the heavy side itself. but it is heavy because it is made with a third layer of fabric, which is actually an improvement and not just a marketing ploy. why make something needlessly heavy and uncomfortable? actually dont answer that. i dont give a **** what you think. talk about a waste of time...

ummm... its just my opinion. i think chrome bags are uncomfortable. my favorite bag, pac, is on the heavy side itself. but it is heavy because it is made with a third layer of fabric, which is actually an improvement and not just a marketing ploy. why make something needlessly heavy and uncomfortable? actually dont answer that. i dont give a **** what you think. talk about a waste of time...

Wow, you're a little bit cranky.

I've been using messenger bags for a helluva long time now, usually zo. I had a timbuk2 bag back when they were called 'scumbags' and weren't made by sweatshop labor, and I didn't like it much back then either. My zo gravy dog has held up for over a decade now, and I love it and all.. But I like my newish chrome bag even more, I'm afraid. They've made a bunch of little improvements on the basic design, and it's incredibly comfortable.

ummm... its just my opinion. i think chrome bags are uncomfortable. my favorite bag, pac, is on the heavy side itself. but it is heavy because it is made with a third layer of fabric, which is actually an improvement and not just a marketing ploy. why make something needlessly heavy and uncomfortable? actually dont answer that. i dont give a **** what you think. talk about a waste of time...


Sketchy at best. Shall we do wieght comparison's of bags.. since you seem to bag on chrome for being heavy, then go on to admit your bag is heavy as well.. Skecthy. I give a **** about what you say, because your post smells of bull****.

Sketchy at best. Shall we do wieght comparison's of bags.. since you seem to bag on chrome for being heavy, then go on to admit your bag is heavy as well.. Skecthy. I give a **** about what you say, because your post smells of bull****.

he said the seat belt buckles are needlessly heavy, not the entire bag. pac bags are heavy because they put an extra layer of unrippable goodness on them.

my chrome bag didn't have the big, heavy buckle on it, and i liked it alright, until i realized that the entire bag being plastic (no clothy covering) was contributing to my dehydration, also, i didn't like the shape, or where the buckle was placed and that there wasn't anything between the buckle and my ribs. i'd still use it if i had to, but my pac bag is so damn nice.

Wow, the pac bags are pricier than I'd remembered. Unless the "$US" doesn't mean what i think it means, they're more than I'd feel comfortable paying for a bag.

Wow, the pac bags are pricier than I'd remembered. Unless the "$US" doesn't mean what i think it means, they're more than I'd feel comfortable paying for a bag.
no kidding...

my chrome bag didn't have the big, heavy buckle on it, and i liked it alright, until i realized that the entire bag being plastic (no clothy covering) was contributing to my dehydration, also, i didn't like the shape, or where the buckle was placed and that there wasn't anything between the buckle and my ribs. i'd still use it if i had to, but my pac bag is so damn nice.

I don't know no history of chrome, but they don't make bags like that now. Completely different. As for mr. skin, he contradicts himself, and I called him on it, and I"m done with it.