Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Do you still use/see messenger bags?

Another horrible trend.

The only people i ever see with like Chrome bags aren't riding bikes.

My mess-style bag got jacked, so I am stuck with a backpack. Thinking of buying an Aerostich: http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Shoulder-Bags-Backpacks-and-Hip-Packs-p-1-c-425.html for use on bike and motorcycle for errands.

I've been using messenger bags for about 10-12 years now. I used them for class in high school and college, commuting on my bike, motorcycle and scooter. they are bigger than most of the backpacks i own, and i own a lot (i just can't stop buying bags and leather jackets). i got drunk and bought a chrome bag out in Portland last year(a kid i was hanging out with is from S.F and wouldn't stop telling me that Chrome bags were the best, so after a long lunch at a Micro Brew i went to a few bike shops). for the most part i like it and it works pretty good. to bad all the R.E. Load bags out there were all plain black and well over $200 or i wold have gotten one of those (i wanted to try something new and East Coast Pride). now i have to wait until the chrome bag is as shot as my old Timbuck2, or even my very very very old Thrasher bag (yes my first real messengetr bag was from a skateboard magazine, and it was GREAT!) before my girl will let me buy a $200-$300 R.E. Load bag. that and the fact i am never in Philly during the day. i always seem to get there real late at night, get drunk and get on a plane at 5:30 a.m.
but yes i still use one. i am trying to make my own, so it is 100% what i want out of my bag. that and buying ballistic nylon and nylon thread is a lot cheaper than buying a pre-made bag. I use my bag for everything, not just when i am on my bike or scooter. it is sitting behind me right now on the couch in the editing suit. they are better in the elements and contour to my body well. and i am not a fan of how roll top bags look. i have only had them on a few times, and they just felt weird. i guess if i used one for a while i would get use to it, but they seem to boxy for me. thats my $.02.

Cheyah!! My chrome metropolis goes with me everywhere (almost). It's big enough to carry all my school book so it's perfect for that, and if I need to run a tag (yes I am a messenger) I can just stick it on top of my books and go! However I DO HOPE IT WAS JUST A TREND FOR THOSE BLOODY FAKENGERS!!!

I still tote a timbuk2 around. Its big enough for beers and movies and a heavy coat for when I go to a friend's house for the evening and will be returning late.

I had to patch up my 9 year old Patagonia bag with dental floss a few months ago. It slightly limits how much weight is comfortable to walk with. Then again, why walk?
What I see less of is DJ bags that were never intended for a person on a bike. Shoulder straps that clip on? For real?

I brought my Montreal made Cocotte messenger bag with me to Japan. I use it quite often when I ride in the city.

Messenger bags are the fashion item of the moment right now, they have walls of them at Tokyo Hands. I saw some RE Load, Chrome, Ortlieb and many other brands. I rarely see people use them in Fukuyama.

I like my Timbuk2. It straps on nice and tight when I'm riding and when I'm not it holds all my stuff and I can toss it around easily to hold it in my lap without taking it completely off on the train or streetcar.

I don't like backpacks for everyday use. Sue me.

yup I still use mine. PAC bags are the best!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2677855215_378ed92730.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/2508531107_7a08d8d59f.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/3163955008_f692498af4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3163114229_f6f9206f2c.jpg?v=0

i use mine too

Waterproof, interior accessable without taking them off, easy to carry and use, who cares what others may think when you ride by?

1. This topic isn't funny anymore.

2. Yes, for good reason: dollar for dollar they are the most affordable, reliable, and usable personal storage medium per square inch. Consider the features of multi-layer waterproofing, customization choices, size choices, strap positioning, comfort (even while walking for light loads), and durability, among many others. There's a great reason many other people aside from cyclists use them: for $170 you get a handmade, fine-crafted bag miles ahead of anything else.

I use mine Chrome bag everyday and have for two years. I don't see it every getting worn out. I would like to switch to a two shoulder strap bag at some point though.

Some people I ride with have messenger bags. They carry all our crap and beer! :lol:

I'm looking into one, but they are expensive for a good one. I'm looking into getting a used chrome one.

The only people i ever see with like Chrome bags aren't riding bikes.

I saw a person on a motorcycle today with a Chrome bag. Yeah, the trend is over. I had a messenger bag but quickly switched back to a backpack. Not nearly as comfortable.

1. This topic isn't funny anymore.

2. Yes, for good reason: dollar for dollar they are the most affordable, reliable, and usable personal storage medium per square inch. Consider the features of multi-layer waterproofing, customization choices, size choices, strap positioning, comfort (even while walking for light loads), and durability, among many others. There's a great reason many other people aside from cyclists use them: for $170 you get a handmade, fine-crafted bag miles ahead of anything else.

Agree. I got a Seagull bag recently to replace my too small 5 year old Chrome, and it's awesome. For $180 shipped, I got a handmade bag w/ a custom color scheme, pockets and straps to suit my needs that is convenient to use & carry, doesn't swing around on my back when I corner, looks great, is indestructible and will last me for many years to come. Outside the "rarified air" of the fixed gear world, such a bag could/would cost a lot more than what I paid. I've used it as a weekend bag, my sole piece of luggage back home for Christmas, and it goes with me everyday as my commuter bag. Back packs are nice, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with messenger bags.

I use panniers.

Just got my Seagull Black Bag. It's so amazing to finally have a bag to carry all my ****.

The trend is to make fun of mess bags and those who use them . . .way to go hipster!

+1 for seagull.

I like my messenger bag. It changes between bike/school/gym bag, and works for grocery runs.

@peabodypride: while I like mess bags, they're not the most affordable option. If you're looking at comfort/storage/durability some backpacking packs are better deals. My 4000 cubic inch mountainsmith pack retails for $100. versus $170 for a 3000 CU Chrome Bag. It is waterproof also, but that's a fairly rare feature. But i suppose it's in a different leaque, although I have biked with it.

I use my Chrome everyday... and I ride my bike everyday. Its great. Backpacks are cool too, I just happen to have a messenger bag.

I used to use backpacks, and I even have some very good mountaineering packs that have ventilated back panels, oh so very comfortable on a bike... But when it comes down to it, for school and getting around town, some 10km commutes etc. I like my Cocotte bag, it's local to here, completely waterproof, easy to access while walking, easy to see and organize everything in it, perfect for school.

The mountaineering bag just has too many technical features that are useless in a city, and it sure as hell isn't worth it to get one (such as the Osprey Stratos 40L) and then strip basically everything off it, plus it isn't waterproof. The only waterproof backpack I know of is ArcTeryx backpacks, which are nice for canoe tripping or whatever but there is no way I'd use that in the city!

i use my chrome everyday... And i ride my bike everyday. Its great. Backpacks are cool too, i just happen to have a messenger bag.

+1

The benefit of a messenger bag over a mountain bag is by the time you're at $200, you can have it as simple or technical as you want; no companies charge much for alterations (aside from graphics).

OP is a complete and utter idiot.

The trend however, spreads to beyond just fixed-gear cyclists. Saw a guy riding a downhill bike with a Chrome Kremlin today, as well as some chick riding a GMC Denali Wal-Wart road bike with a Chrome of some sort.

I got my Chrome Metropolis without looking into the "trend" first. Sure, I was introduced to the world of mess bags mostly due to BFSSFG, but wasn't really aware of the "trend" until I'd been abusing it for several months. It's durable as hell, waterproof (even in torrential downpours and a quick dunk into a fountain), secure when riding, and very easy to adjust one-handed.

I saw a person on a motorcycle today with a Chrome bag.I see more Chrome bags (and to a lesser extent, other messenger bags) on motorcyclists than on bicyclists these days.

Trendy or not, I quite like my Chrome mini-metro. Most handy and useful bag I've ever had. Goes with me on bicycle, motorcycle, and in car.

Yeah, trend or not, mess bags are pretty damn versatile for daily use (for me at least). Granted, I don't ride my bike with it *every* day, but I'm still using it every day. I definitely wouldn't call myself a hipster in any sense either. All my jeans are big enough to fit my hands in my pockets, ∴ not a hipster.

I see one every day. I've been seeing this particular one for the past three years and a messenger bag in general for the past five or six.

I use one to carry around my laptop and books. It's nice to be able to get things in/out without taking the bag off.

I saw a person on a motorcycle today with a Chrome bag. Yeah, the trend is over. I had a messenger bag but quickly switched back to a backpack. Not nearly as comfortable.

I used my Chrome bag while riding my motorcycle. What's wrong with that? I can carry a whole week's worth of groceries or a week's laundry in mine. I also use it as my carry on luggage for short airplane trips. So now, because I don't look like the typical wirey cyclist, I'm the "poser" in the airport with the chrome bag?

Are you implying that Chrome bags are only for bikers? If so then:

Give your Levis back to gold miners
Give your tennis shoes back to tennis players
Give your Chuck taylors back to basketball players
Give your messenger bag back to bike messengers
...and your track bike back to track racers


It's a bag. Good for some situations and not for others.

Are you implying that Chrome bags are only for bikers? If so then:

Give your Levis back to gold miners
Give your tennis shoes back to tennis players
Give your Chuck taylors back to basketball players
Give your messenger bag back to bike messengers
...and your track bike back to track racers


Done x6. Except the Levis.

baileyworks > *

I still love my Chrome backpack. I have the Ranchero and it goes to work with me every day... in the car (I commute 35 miles each way). It holds my lunch, work stuff (badge, notebook, pager, etc), and cycling clothes for after work (I bring my bike to work with me and leave it locked in my truck all day so I can go for road rides after work since the roads/traffic are much better out by work).

I also use the bag as a carry-on when traveling -- I travel very light, so I can pack for a week long trip with it.

I also use the bag on my bike for grocery/errand runs around town.

It's a great bag, super versatile and super rugged. I plan on also getting the Backbone soon, so I have something larger for longer trips (my brother is moving to Scotland soon so I'm planning some extended trips to Europe in the next year or two).

the only thing i don't like about my chrome bag is the nylon seat belt strap slips some times, even if i adjust the plastic piece up to the metal buckle. and i wish i got the Kremlin, some times the Metro is to small for all the crap i have to carry when i work two jobs in one day, but hey the later is my own fault. other than that, i agree with most and stand by my opriginal post.

I use my Chrome every single day. Weight distribution is great. It being waterproof is even better. Plus I can carry a weekend's worth of beer in it.

OP - Helmets aren't cool anymore either. Neither are brakes. Be sure you get rid of both.

Chrome Citizen

I have a Chrome messenger pack...the 2nd to largest size...donno the name, dont' care...i got it for $100


I'm working on getting a SAG Air Force I soon...I love their stuff, looks way more functional than the chrome is.

OP is a complete and utter idiot.
I assume this post is a sarcastic response to the Do you still use/see top tube pads? (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=503444) one.

After using my Timbuk2 for a few years,i switched to a Ortlieb Messenger Pro last summer.I just like a backpack better with heavy loads.I'll use it off the bike as well and don't give a f*** what people think.

is it just me or have people been wearing messenger bags FOREVER. I don't know what trend you guys are talking about?

i do use a Kelty backpack myself though.

I have a professor who wears a messenger bag, but thats only because shes so fat she wouldnt be able to get on a backpack.

Unless a bag is huge,waterproof and has next to no pockets or dividers it's a shoulderbag,not a messengerbag.Shoulderbags have been around for a long time.

OP is a complete and utter idiot.

Somebody takes their trendiness serious.

I got a Timbuk2 backpack recently & like it better than anything I've used to carry stuff while riding. (racks, mess bags, regular backpacks) It's got really nicely designed pockets & the shoulder straps are designed so the bag doesn't move around when you ride. The regular old Eastpak I was using before was always sliding around even with the shoulder straps tight.

So in short...bags designed for use while riding a bike work better than one's that aren't.
I don't see why some want to see them gone, people gotta carry stuff right?

I saw a person on a motorcycle today with a Chrome bag. Yeah, the trend is over. I had a messenger bag but quickly switched back to a backpack. Not nearly as comfortable.
Oh no! Someone other than a bicyclist was using a bag that makes sense! Get over it. I was car free for 4+ years, motorcycles only, and used my Metro because it did everything I needed it to. If it doesn't suit your 'fashion' or earn you any "StreetCred" don't use it. They are tools and should be used as such.

1. This topic isn't funny anymore.

2. Yes, for good reason: dollar for dollar they are the most affordable, reliable, and usable personal storage medium per square inch. Consider the features of multi-layer waterproofing, customization choices, size choices, strap positioning, comfort (even while walking for light loads), and durability, among many others. There's a great reason many other people aside from cyclists use them: for $170 you get a handmade, fine-crafted bag miles ahead of anything else.


Thank you. Total agreement.

Another horrible trend.

Another horrible thread.