Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Messenger bag that isn't obnoxiously big?

I just bought a timbuk2 bag and it was a size large. It's great, but I feel like a tool if I ever want to use it while I'm not riding because it is so big and I think looks kind of weird of me while I'm walking to class because I'm some skinny white kid.

Are there any smaller ones that hold a lot?

I'm also questioning how people take them off their backs so easily when they're strapped really tight and really high up on their backs?

I'm also questioning how people take them off their backs so easily when they're strapped really tight and really high up on their backs?

just unclip~

check Chrome's website: http://www.chromebagsstore.com/ seems like a popular brand here in davis ca for some reason =>? they're pricey tho

first of all, better a skinny white kid than a fat white kid...

yea, check out chrome, RE Load, Baileyworks, and PAC bags - none of them are cheap, but they are all high quality and each make a smaller "civilian" bag.

Are there any smaller ones that hold a lot?

Generally speaking, smaller bags don't hold as much as bigger bags. You might also want to check out Cocotte bags. Their prices aren't as heavy as other companies but I hear their craftsmanship is still top notch


I'm also questioning how people take them off their backs so easily when they're strapped really tight and really high up on their backs?

That's the difference between bags made by good bag companies vs cheaper bags. They have a strap system much more intuitive and versatile (though I've never had Timbuk bags).

http://cgi.ebay.com/Crumpler-The-Soupansalad-Son-O-Bag-BRONZE-SRP-90USD_W0QQitemZ220340646399QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_MWA_Backpacks?hash=item220340646399&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A7%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Generally speaking, smaller bags don't hold as much as bigger bags

i dont know about that.

Baileyworks are ****ing awesome. The strap system is great.

Also messenger bags really only make sense on bikes, and more so if your a messenger. As when on a bike the weight is transferred to your back, not your shoulder. But when walking messenger bags get extremely uncomfortable.

I'm also questioning how people take them off their backs so easily when they're strapped really tight and really high up on their backs? The single strap is convenient for not having to take it off all the time. That's the whole point.

Get a backpack for walking around/everything else. Your back and shoulder will thank you a lot, if all your doing is lugging books back and forth to school. Also most "messenger bag" companies now offer great back packs, that work great both on and off the bike.

make your own

T2 bags tend to look huge even when they aren't. They keep their ice cube shape full or empty. Bags that wrap around you a bit (Chrome, Seagul etc) won't have as much of a problem with that.

oh yea try to make your own here: http://eeio.blogspot.com/2004/12/recycled-banner-golden-mean-messenger.html

i dont know about that.

:lol:

Medium seagul bag (http://www.seagullbags.com/black/) is a reasonable size and comfortable as hell.

i'm surprised no one even mentioned a timbuk2 messenger but in size medium. *facepalm*

I bought my Timbuk2 when i was in school. my old bag was shot. it worked great for around campus. walking, biking or skateboarding. the Timbuk2 wraps better than the chrome bag i am using now. If that;s why you don't feel comfy with a mess bag, get a smaller Timbuck2 bag. you probably just have a bag to big for your frame. the chrome bags are more utilitarian though. better padding for the strap, not to mention it is part of the strap, not an add on sale. though the buckle can be useful, i don't like it. it's loud, adds weight and people like to hit it on you. don't gt me wrong, it's useful, but i would rather a seagull bags strap (and i might try one of their black bags). go to a bike shop and try a few. or go to eBay and pick up a medium Timbuk2 for next to nothing.

I've had this bag for years: http://www.somafab.com/bags_fols.html

It's a medium-sized bag, perfect for books, or a pair of sneakers and clothes, or a couple six packs. Durable hemp exterior.
http://www.somafab.com/folsom_1_300.JPG
http://www.somafab.com/folsombagopen3.JPG

I'm 5'6" and they all feel big to me too I usually ignore bag threads because apparantly bigger is better. standard sizes feel like they wrap around me when i tried them on, chrome and frietag although i think just the chrome is an actual messenger bag, I ended up using my friends t2 large that felt too big and picnched with no shoudler pad.

http://www.freewebs.com/wwprogress/Coach%20purse.jpg

Function over fashion

Seagull Black Bag Medium.

I absolutely love my seagull. A little pricier than TB2, but from someone who's owned one, there is no comparison.

the pink is nice but it looks a little too small for even me, i carry my lunch, office shoes but I leave them at office most days, and usually the book i'm reading plus everything a purse holds if I ride all week.

who else is short, what do you use? I definitely want to get a bag from a messenger bag company but all anyone stocks or talks about are huge. They look great, everyone says they roack, anyone wear the smaller ones forom the same companies?

my girlfriend is about 5'7"-5'8" and she uses my old TB2 large for school. she doesn't ride a bike. and it works for her. but most companies make a variety of sizes these days. just go to their websites and look around some. everyone here is going to tell you that their bag is the best. so are all the sites you find. but read about the bags a little and look at the pictures and find the one that works nest for your needs. try some of these companies,

chrome, reload, seagull, chicagowig, pac, underthweather, blaq, arena baggage, bugaboo... oh hell try this link.
http://www.messengers.org/resources/bags.html

I think I saw that link googleing messenger bags, or one like it. I hate internet shopping really, but stores only ever carry a few brands. Since I have been lurking here there have probably been 5 or 10 threads on bags, but always big ones and "how much can i carry?" lol

thanks for the link!

I went through most of your links there, thanks. didnt know it was kind of an ;'official" list

I may not get a fancy messenger bag, this backpack on the second link looks lika a good size for someone like me and is totally cute, made for me http://www.under-the-weather.ca/?page_id=454 (http://http://www.under-the-weather.ca/?page_id=454) !

i d/l the template and have it in PS now to see what my colors look lijke

your welcome. that link isn't up to date. i think that web site was last updated in '07. but it is pretty good for the most part. they are all great companies. i have been reading all the bag threads and responding to them. i kind of have an addiction to buying messenger bags. i love bags, guitars tattoos and chucks. i have far to many of each. i did a lot of reading on the bags listed on messengers.org. i wish i had more cash to buy a few. i have a R.E.Load on order for myself. but i also really want a PAC and Seagull. they all look like the best bags out there. I currently rock a chrome, works great, but it is to small, and i wanted something a little more custom. design and build. timbuk2 are great for the price. so easy to find on eBay for the cheap, and they had a bunch at Urbanoutfitters for $30. they have been popping up at TJ Max as well. so they are worth looking into. always the mediums or small in the stores. girlfriend likes my old one. i am glad she uses it. kind of beat from me using it for about 6 or 7 years, but there is stil some life in it. i only bought the chrome because the TB2 went MIA for a while and i was in Portland and i needed a new bag. even though there is a R.E.Load in Seattle, i couldn't find a nice one to save my life. only one store had Civilian's in all black. so i got a Chrome Metro. good bag, but if your a small person, and don't like a bulky bag, they aren't for you. they break in, but it takes some time. mine is a year old and still pretty stiff. but when I'm not wearing my winter weight, i am pretty athletic so it still fits me well. ok i aqm done rambling on.

I'm a big fan of Bailey Works bags.

big bags are cool; they hold games and the re-hydration to sustain you through them :D
PAC Designs bag
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3163114229_f6f9206f2c.jpg?v=0

"Messenger bag that isn't obnoxiously big?"... sorry, no such thing.

I love my T2 (laptop version) Large - I rarely use it on my bike; it's become my de facto briefcase. What's wrong with the medium size, OP, if large is too large?

your welcome. that link isn't up to date. i think that web site was last updated in '07. but it is pretty good for the most part. they are all great companies. i have been reading all the bag threads and responding to them. i kind of have an addiction to buying messenger bags. i love bags, guitars tattoos and chucks. i have far to many of each. i did a lot of reading on the bags listed on messengers.org. i wish i had more cash to buy a few. i have a R.E.Load on order for myself. but i also really want a PAC and Seagull. they all look like the best bags out there. I currently rock a chrome, works great, but it is to small, and i wanted something a little more custom. design and build. timbuk2 are great for the price. so easy to find on eBay for the cheap, and they had a bunch at Urbanoutfitters for $30. they have been popping up at TJ Max as well. so they are worth looking into. always the mediums or small in the stores. girlfriend likes my old one. i am glad she uses it. kind of beat from me using it for about 6 or 7 years, but there is stil some life in it. i only bought the chrome because the TB2 went MIA for a while and i was in Portland and i needed a new bag. even though there is a R.E.Load in Seattle, i couldn't find a nice one to save my life. only one store had Civilian's in all black. so i got a Chrome Metro. good bag, but if your a small person, and don't like a bulky bag, they aren't for you. they break in, but it takes some time. mine is a year old and still pretty stiff. but when I'm not wearing my winter weight, i am pretty athletic so it still fits me well. ok i aqm done rambling on.

no i think it's up to date, it has a newsfeed with recent stuff....ahha, my link is no good it has 2 http things here it is

http://www.under-the-weather.ca/?page_id=454

I don't know how that happens, but anyway I am getting a small messenger made backpack instead of a small messengr made messenger bag.

sorry i was referring to the messengers.org link. i think all the links that work from there are up to date sites. they are all good companies.

oh, duh, yeah i should have guessed, that site looks like it is from the 1995 internet

i thinkit makes a big difference too in many ways theway a site looks to the viewer, most of the links on the bag page were to companies with 'too cool' websites. i probably only found my backpack because the site didn't turn me off, and they don't use any PVC poison. the first link was best though, just a picture of a note

That's Zo Bags, some of the most expensive bags I've ever seen for sale...if you can find them. I saw 3 on ebay a couple weeks ago for $1,000. There's a used one for 300 right now.

when i make bags I make them so they can be adjusted width and height, so i can cinch them in and get them just right.

next bag I make is going to be made using this template,
http://stupidhurts.org//cpg14/albums/uploads/bags/IMG_0169.jpg

that bag in action
http://stupidhurts.org//cpg14/albums/uploads/broken/IMG_0446.jpg
I think I have it about right.

that bag would be way way too big on someone like me, you're nuts

http://blicksbags.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/cimg1149.jpg
http://blicksbags.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/cimg1162.jpg

This is the bag that I offer for commuters, and after using mine for a few months I really love the size. You can fit a laptop, couple of paperbacks, tool kit, U lock and a hoodie in there perfectly. If you're interested in one just send me a PM, or an email, or visit my site.

http://blicksbags.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/cimg1149.jpg
http://blicksbags.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/cimg1162.jpg

This is the bag that I offer for commuters, and after using mine for a few months I really love the size. You can fit a laptop, couple of paperbacks, tool kit, U lock and a hoodie in there perfectly. If you're interested in one just send me a PM, or an email, or visit my site.

i need one to go with one of my favorites.

http://www.sneakerfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/nike-air-dt-retro-1.jpg

that bag would be way way too big on someone like me, you're nuts

if you make your own and take two inches from every where, it would be tiny

hey court, it doesn't help that your bike has tiny wheels, it makes you and the bag look HUGE. :)

if you make your own and take two inches from every where, it would be tiny

I can sew okay, but that doesn't change the fact that if I make my own it won't be anywhere near as nice as the one I ordered. I may even get a small messenger bag, just from going back to look at the backpack page i think i may want both.

anyone else gotten a utw backpack? i only found one review so they are fairly new

hey court, it doesn't help that your bike has tiny wheels, it makes you and the bag look HUGE. :)

she is right, those are 650c wheels on that bike.
my bike isnt compensating for anything

Target has a nice mid-sized bag in basic black w/ a padded laptop pocket,Ipod
pocket & phone pocket for 15 bucks.

Target has a nice mid-sized bag in basic black w/ a padded laptop pocket,Ipod
pocket & phone pocket for 15 bucks.

ummm, ewww?

check this out, you can get a Custom Messenger Bag (http://www.target.com/Alex-Color-A-Messenger-Bag/dp/B000MURKF6) at Target too!

lol, i'm buying a real bag not a mas produced chinese yuck bag

Yeah but it will clash with your mass produced Taiwanese bike

i'm surprised no one even mentioned a timbuk2 messenger but in size medium. *facepalm*


+1 ?

Target has a nice mid-sized bag in basic black w/ a padded laptop pocket,Ipod
pocket & phone pocket for 15 bucks.

I hope you're trolling...

I once bought a messenger bag from Target before I was into cycling, one with integrated iPod controls. It completely fell apart due to the poor quality nylon fabric it was made out of. Cordura and vinyl are more expensive materials, but they last.

I've been using a small Bailey Works Super Pro for a few years now. Awesome bag, totally indestructible, and only looks a little big when walking around. Not much bigger than a regular, non-cycling messenger bag. Still holds most things, and whatever it doesn't I use the external straps to hold it. It's rough on my back when walking around though, and kind of wish I'd gotten a messenger backpack instead.

what's the advantage of a smaller mess bag over a backpack? I thought the appeal of a mess bag was that they're gigantic and you could carry assloads in it...

got this yesterday. it's big.
http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc327/SaxonHall/IMG_0133.jpg

I got a Mer, medium sized bag and it is way bigger than most medium sized bags because it keeps its shape better. I can fit quite a bit into it. I think my best so far was a 30 pack in the box still and a couple long flat packages of chicken wings.

I use an XL and love it : ) got it for 40 bucks, still new, somebody like you bought it and thought it was too big for them. I can put anything I want in there, 24 pack of gatorade, another bike, small children, attack dogs, juggling equipment, and a double wide trailer home. : )

+1 on the BaileyWorks Super Pro. Top quality bag and excellent customer service. I initially ordered a large based on the sizing on their website, but when I received it, it was much too big for what I needed.....they exchanged it for a medium with no hassles what-so-ever. Love the Bailey!!