spaceballs

Does anyone else have a problem looking over their shoulder while wearing a messenger bag?

I have this problem with a Chrome Metropolis that I have worn and with my Seagull bag: when I look over my left shoulder, my vision is blocked by the bag. My timbuk2 didn't do it, but it rode much lower. I would imagine this is a problem for all messenger bags that ride high like a lot of the more popular ones do.

I have tried to loosen the bag up and let it ride a little further down on my back, but it isn't as secure then. Is this just a side effect of the bag design? Or is there some simple fix that I am missing?

Meepers

my chrome bag is stiffer than my timbuk2 bag. the liner is thicker so it makes the bag feel bulkier. it has broken in a lot over the past year and is better. i can see over it. i may be dropping my shoulder when i look over it. i guess i will have to make a conscious decision to pay attention to what i am doing. i just kind of.... well do it. but ya, my chrome bag seems to keep it's form more so i can see this being a problem. try to drop your shoulder a little bit and it may help.

brandonspeck

what kind of handlebars do you have? I noticed this problem when riding drops.

spaceballs

I have drops. It is bad when I am riding the hoods, but it is far worse when riding in the drops. I guess I will just practice with it and hope the bag breaks in some.

mtusz

Should have gotten a right shoulder strap then...

bikeybikebike

try looking over your other shoulder, cars are big, you'll still see them

Guvna

I have a seagull and have experienced this problem as well. I basically play around with it until it's as tight as possible but still low enough to see over. Despite how safe and secure it feels when it's riding high and tight, you might be surprised how snug you can get it without it becoming an obstruction. I also am sort of in the habit of turning more when looking over my left, sometimes even taking my left hand off the bar to do so. Obviously that's not a great idea in dense areas, but neither is turning into traffic you can't see.

Meepers

i have a chrome cell holder on my bag so my bag is a bit bulky. i checked last night, i drop my shoulder a bit when i turn, and i seem to turn my body a bit. i can see the abg, but i still see cars and what not behind me. so ya, i'de say try and dropp your shoulder a bit and you should be fine.

erichsia

+1 on this. I've also got a Seagull, and I usually just turn slightly if my view is obstructed. As long as you know what's in front of you, and you're not inclined to turn where you're eyes lead to, you should be alright. You could also just get rear view mirror if it's that distracting.

veganwar

I sometimes had this problem with my Pac bag and now with my Frieght backpack. Look under your bag, not over it. It seems odd at first, but works well.

brandonspeck

What size seagulls do you guys have?
I have a large, and I see fine over it. I think it has something to do with how hard you fasten it down.

norskagent

On a side note why is the belt buckle on the chrome citizen so high up? Mine almost touches my collarbone.

Guvna

I have a medium, so it's possible that has something to do with it. I fasten hard to minimize swing, etc. I'm sure that also has something to do with it.

For the record, it's a great bag and I'm not complaining in the slightest. I can see around it fine myself, but I do remember when I first got it I needed to adjust a little.

adriano 

to more easily bring it up in conversation.

kennykaos

rookie

norskagent

design flaw.
form should follow function.
f*ck conversation.

spaceballs

My bag is a large, and the Seagull bags are boxier than most.

I will definitely give it some more practice, and looking under it seems to make sense.

My question about cinching it down is this: if I pull the strap tighter, the body of the bag will ride higher. On a Chrome bag, the strap is attached to the front of the bag, meaning the more you tighten it, the more the bag will be cinched. The Seagulls are different. I will try some other things like pulling the flap down further and tightening that a little more.

The bag really does ride much better than the Timbuk2. I just need to get used to it a little bit more.