umd

So I have a North Face backpack that I've been using, and have been reasonably happy with. I would prefer using a backpack but with my broken collarbone (repaired), I don't really want the strap rubbing against the plate, at least for now. What are some good bags that I can use with just one shoulder strap. I hate having the bag slide around so if there is a stabilizing waist strap that would be good. I don't need a huge bag, just something for some food and a change of clothes.

Edit: A bag that attaches to the bike is out of the question.

rugerben

Checkout Timbuk2's website. they have awesome messenger bags that have stabilizing straps for bike riding.

Ken Wind

I don't know how or where you fractured your clavicle, but I have a plate and screws on my right clavicle. I prefer using backpacks because messenger bags bother my shoulder and back when I use them for extended periods (not because of the fracture though); however, I used a Chrome Metropolis for a number of years. It didn't really cinch tightly enough around my body to prevent it from sliding around some, and I'm not a small person (5'10", 170lbs,40" chest).

I like the look and feel of Rickshaw Bags. I've only tried on a commuter messenger in a store though. Whatever you buy, try to get a locally made product.

tsl

If it's your left clav that was broken/repaired, then look at the Buzz bag from Tom Bihn. This bag won't work reversed (on the left).

Bihn bags *are* expensive, but they're made in the USA instead of by Chinese slave labor. And, if my Brainbug bag is any indication, short of direct nuclear blast or being thrown in an active volcano, they're indestructible.

umd

That looks nice. As luck would have it, it was my left side that is broken, so this would probably work.

soze

My boyfriend wrecked his right clavicle many moons ago. He had a left shoulder Reload custom-made about six months ago and he's very happy with it.

umd

What's a Reload, and what is custom about his?

edit: nevermind

Bat22

I've had a bad left shoulder since June. I didn't want to miss the summer riding.
I tightened the strap on the right shoulder. Then I pulled the sternum strap
tight towards the right shoulder. The left shoulder strap had minimal wieght
and moved closer to my neck. In two weeks, I get an arthroscopic procedure
to remove a bone spur that is rubbing a groove into my upper shoulder
tendon. I may have to stay off the saddle for a month or so. I rather do
this in the winter, than the summer.

sunburst

Yeah, I understand that collarbone situation. Not only does it mess with backpacks, but mine was broken right where a guitar strap crosses my shoulder. Not good.

dynaryder

https://www.baileyworks.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=2

BaileyWorks SuperPro. Best strap around,and you can swap it left or right. Whatever size you need,lots of pockets,will keep your stuff dry in the rain,super durable. A little pricey,but you def get what you pay for.

If money's tight,lots of outlet places have Timbuk2's for cheap. I wear my bags on my right shoulder from motorcycling,but you can still use the T2's strap,you just have to rotate the bag around you to work the clasp. Other than that,the only downside to them is that due to the strap coming straight up off the body,square-edged objects(hardback books,boxes) tend to poke you in the back.

vaticdart

Why is putting a bag on your bike out of the question? This coming from an ardent messenger bag user.

There are lots of small mess bag companies that make right-swing bags.

Chrome
Pac Designs (amazing but expensive, I have their Ultimate and it's the best bag I've ever used)
Chicago Wig
Bailey Works
CourierWear Bags
Bugaboo
Reload Bags
PushTheEnvelope
Seagull
Cocette Equipment
Zugster

A more complete list can be found here: https://urbanvelo.org/sewing/

Expect to spend at least $200 on a good mess bag from any of the above companies except Chrome.

sharkey00

There is a lot of compromising with a messenger bag. Basically you need to keep your upper body still (no sprinting out of the saddle). The other problem I have is checking behind me on my left side. My bag is on my left shoulder (which coincidentally has been broken before) so if I turn my body to look left the bag slides off.

Timbuk2 has a stabilization strap which does basically nothing unless you crank it down to the point where you cannot breathe.

I use a messenger bag because I have a short commute and convenience trumps sprinting for my commute. (But I can still get the 30 mph on flats to catch lights )

You are stuck. With a broken shoulder and no ability to hang anything on the bike you have no choice but the messenger bag. Embrace your inner hipster.

You could also check out a carradice bag. They attach to your seat so no need for rack mounts ect. You should be able to get away with it on all but the most weight weenie carbon setups.

vaticdart

Sorry, but this sort of post always makes me laugh.

Get a good messenger bag, really, and it makes all the difference in the world. Remember, a mess bag needs to be worn high on the body; the model on Timbuk2's site wears it in precisely the wrong way: https://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/cms/popup/howToWear.htm. A mess bag should be worn so that the upper corner is just under, at, or even higher than your shoulder. They should wrap around your body when empty and/or flexible and have a strap that wraps around when the bag will not.

Timbuk2's strap is horrible though, so that may be part of your problem. Their bags are good as shoulder bags, on very upright bikes, and even then only when the bag is light and flexible. As soon as you load it up with anything slightly heavy or rigid, like, say, a laptop, it becomes uncomfortable.

Most of the companies I listed above have good ergonomic straps. Pac Design's is absolutely amazing. Reload is okay.

I can stand up and sprint when I've got 30 - 40 lbs in my Pac Designs Ultimate no problem.

That said, I do understand why most people prefer panniers or trunk bags. I don't, but that's me.

umd

vaticdart

Good answer. Question tabled.

modernjess

Commuting on a race bike huh?

You don't need a different bag you need another bike!

umd

Nah, I get some of my training in on my commute, and do lunch rides or evening rides. I don't carry a bag every day, I have a bunch of stuff at work and mostly need to carry food, papers, or a change of clothes on ocassion.

thebarerider

You roadies and your strange ways. . .

It's funny to me that going into a different sub-forum is like stepping into a totally different place. Everyone in the road forum knows you but you are almost a nobody over here in Commuting.

umd

Almost a nobody? I would have expected to be completely a nobody. Does my reputation preceed me?

To call what I do commuting is kinda stretching things. I live about 2 miles from my office, but somehow I manage to wander all over town before arriving

Edit: I usually cram as much crap as I can in my backpack on monday, ride in on one of my shorter routes as my "recovery ride", and then directly home at the end of the day. On friday I bring my empty backpack home. Now I have to figure out how to do it without using my left shoulder...

thebarerider

Have you considered a rack that just clamps on, like this? I have never used one, but you could just clamp it on when you do your recovery ride, put a pannier/strap a backpack on it, then take it off for the rest of the week. I have no idea how strong they are.

Oh, and your reputation isn't that big. It's just that quite a few people cross-post.

umd

I just don't really like the idea of a rack on a race bike. I've ridden with shoulder-slung bags before, I don't mind it I just want want to make sure I get the best one.

modernjess

I still say any excuse to buy another bike is always welcome.

Ken Wind

I still stand by my recommendation for Rickshaw, but you may want to check out Pac Designs as well. They are supposedly the best. There are also a number of custom bag makers on the west coast, such as Freight Baggage (SF) or Reload (Seattle). If you check out enough bike shops, especially in the Bay, you will be able to check out some of these bags in person. You should try a bunch on in person to decide which one is right for you.

WilliamK1974

Collarbone repair must have come a long way since I broke mine back in August 1990. Did it on a bicycle when I lost control and went over the handlebars, hitting my head and shoulder on the pavement. Damaged the bike a little, but the LBS where we purchased it repaired almost everything under the Schwinn 30-day checkup that was done back then since the bike was only a couple of weeks old.

Our family doc set it with a harness. I had to drop the football team, modify how I carried my books, and stay off the bike for a few months, among other things. If I stepped off a sidewalk the wrong way, it would jar my shoulder and I'd ache for hours. I think the doc did the best he could, but I know it's a little crooked. But doesn't annoy me much.

umd