Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Just got my SEAGULL black bag... I need your advice (Video inside)

Hey guys,

I don't really know where to post this but it seems like some of you fixed gear riders are using this bag...

I just got my Seagull black bag (large) 2 hours ago and my first impressions are not very nice. My expectations were maybe higher than what the bag really offers.

To make everything clear, I have to say that the quality of the bag is really nice and stiff. My only concern is that the bag seems to be rocking from side to side like CRAZY.

I've added a vid to make myself clear and I need you to tell me if it looks normal. Damn, my old trecking bag (from the 90's) is way tighter than that $160 (with shipping) Seagull bag.

All in all, is it just me expecting too much from Seagull or these bags are really not intended to be used while cycling?

As for the vid, I was carrying 14lb (7kg) of stuff, school book, pillow, climbing shoes and bike locks. The first take shows a stiff/comfortable straps tighting setup while the second take shows a over tighted straps setup, including chest pain and hard breathing...

Any advice is very welcome!
Thanks

Have you actually ridden with it yet? Unless you're constantly out of the saddle mashing I doubt it's actually that big of an issue. I'm sure my timbuk2 bag is far less secured than that, but it's never been a problem for me.

I'll go check that out right away. I was thinking about keeping it new just in case I want to sell it, thinking it was not suited for my needs...

I'll go for a 15 minutes ride and come back.

That looks pretty uncomfortable. I'd just return it and get something that you like.

What looks uncomfy is that binder in your back.

FWIW, I never wear any of my bags all the way cinced down like you did in the video and have some movement in them. Not really that big of deal, IMO. Mess bags are fit differently than backpacks when riding. That is one of the main reasons why they aren't great for carrying heavy loads off the bike. If the bag moves while riding just elbow it back into place, but I doubt it will move as much as you made it move in the video while riding.

Ok, after a good 30minutes ride, I can tell it does feel way better while biking. As Flufhead said, I do not do any gorilla moves on my bike like I did on my vid so it wasn't a good example. What's strange is that as soon as you step off your bike, you start feeling the bag a different way than on the bike.

Also, with a light jacket, the bag is more comfortable...

I do have to learn how to organise the content of my bag better but give me a chance, it was just as a test.

Last thing, I think that bag is a bit to large for my needs, I might be selling it if someone wants it.

No matter how you cut it, 14+ lbs on your back is going to move around. The key is to keep the load within the bag as stable and evenly distributed as possible, with the heavier part of the load as close against your back as possible.

But yeah, there's a reason that messengers don't use bulky, loaded packs during races unless that's the gimmick of the race -- heavy loads make your center of balance unstable and are tough on your back.

But good thoughts, I hope the pack starts to feel more comfortable on you.

My seagull bag never moves as much as you were making it, even when I am carrying a ton of stuff.

Nice sweatpants brah.