Putting the Mission Workshop Vandal to the Test
01-09-12, 08:19 PM
#26
Should be out Riding
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The quick-loosening cams on the expansion buckles don't seem to last very long. I've broken 2 already, warrantied without question both times. The straps and buckles work just fine even when the cam is broken, so it's just a minor inconvenience waiting for the replacement in the mail. I'll probably replace them with normal-style industrial strength buckles soon though.
01-09-12, 08:20 PM
#27
Should be out Riding
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i'm of course making a point through rhetoric. there are good, fact-based reasons... but you think ferraris aren't italian-made? actually... i'm not sure if they are 100% anymore.
vandals are, though. i'm sure. so yeah. just pay it, it's going to good people doing good things.
vandals are, though. i'm sure. so yeah. just pay it, it's going to good people doing good things.
01-09-12, 08:21 PM
#28
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01-09-12, 08:24 PM
#29
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
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you don't have to.
you can buy a lower quality bag for less and have a fraction of the product. less longevity, less enjoyment, less practicality, less ability.
you can though... in fact anyone living in america who uses a cycling backpack daily should be able to budget a mission workshop bag if they work hard enough.
300 ain't that much money if you don't have car payments, debt, or bad habits. a lot of us do, and that's okay too.
just don't complain about spending 300 on a bag that is worth it. these are worth it. not so much for some other bags, regardless of where they are made or if the workers making them are treated fairly.
you can buy a lower quality bag for less and have a fraction of the product. less longevity, less enjoyment, less practicality, less ability.
you can though... in fact anyone living in america who uses a cycling backpack daily should be able to budget a mission workshop bag if they work hard enough.
300 ain't that much money if you don't have car payments, debt, or bad habits. a lot of us do, and that's okay too.
just don't complain about spending 300 on a bag that is worth it. these are worth it. not so much for some other bags, regardless of where they are made or if the workers making them are treated fairly.
01-09-12, 08:24 PM
#30
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Got mine for a steal at like $150 (city grounds sale).
Kaz, a rambler will be huge, and the straps are spaced to far apart for me - and I'm 5'10". If you get one, I'd recommend the waist stabilizer and constant use of the chest strap.
Kaz, a rambler will be huge, and the straps are spaced to far apart for me - and I'm 5'10". If you get one, I'd recommend the waist stabilizer and constant use of the chest strap.
01-09-12, 08:25 PM
#31
Should be out Riding
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you don't have to.
you can buy a lower quality bag for less and have a fraction of the product. less longevity, less enjoyment, less practicality, less ability.
you can though... in fact anyone living in america who uses a cycling backpack daily should be able to budget a mission workshop bag if they work hard enough.
300 ain't that much money if you don't have car payments, debt, or bad habits. a lot of us do, and that's okay too.
just don't complain about spending 300 on a bag that is worth it. these are worth it. not so much for some other bags, regardless of where they are made or if the workers making them are treated fairly.
you can buy a lower quality bag for less and have a fraction of the product. less longevity, less enjoyment, less practicality, less ability.
you can though... in fact anyone living in america who uses a cycling backpack daily should be able to budget a mission workshop bag if they work hard enough.
300 ain't that much money if you don't have car payments, debt, or bad habits. a lot of us do, and that's okay too.
just don't complain about spending 300 on a bag that is worth it. these are worth it. not so much for some other bags, regardless of where they are made or if the workers making them are treated fairly.
And to be fair, the $300 was for the bag, hip belt, and the chrome accessory pouch.
01-09-12, 08:45 PM
#32
Hi, I'm Bryan.
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Also, this bag is seriously the perfect thing for me. I'm 6'4", 200lbs, I carry a lot of **** a lot of the time, and it comes in my favorite color. I'm stoked.
Last edited by jimmytango; 01-09-12 at 08:49 PM.
01-09-12, 09:23 PM
#33
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
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im 6'3" and the vandal is perfect size and still is large. hate to be smaller and wear it tho.
01-09-12, 10:55 PM
#34
- Bikes Not Bombs -
Threadjacking.
If you are interested in extreme quality at a good price
This is the pack I use. Osprey Quasar. It's a climbing pack, but I couldn't have asked for a studier pack. I paid $90 for mine. It's super strong, carried about 80lbs in it personally, and it has a bunch of adjustable straps for load displacement. I use it for school, riding, everything. It has a spot for a water bladder in it too.
/Threadjacking.
If you are interested in extreme quality at a good price
This is the pack I use. Osprey Quasar. It's a climbing pack, but I couldn't have asked for a studier pack. I paid $90 for mine. It's super strong, carried about 80lbs in it personally, and it has a bunch of adjustable straps for load displacement. I use it for school, riding, everything. It has a spot for a water bladder in it too.
/Threadjacking.
01-09-12, 10:59 PM
#35
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you don't have to.
you can buy a lower quality bag for less and have a fraction of the product. less longevity, less enjoyment, less practicality, less ability.
you can though... in fact anyone living in america who uses a cycling backpack daily should be able to budget a mission workshop bag if they work hard enough.
300 ain't that much money if you don't have car payments, debt, or bad habits. a lot of us do, and that's okay too.
just don't complain about spending 300 on a bag that is worth it. these are worth it. not so much for some other bags, regardless of where they are made or if the workers making them are treated fairly.
you can buy a lower quality bag for less and have a fraction of the product. less longevity, less enjoyment, less practicality, less ability.
you can though... in fact anyone living in america who uses a cycling backpack daily should be able to budget a mission workshop bag if they work hard enough.
300 ain't that much money if you don't have car payments, debt, or bad habits. a lot of us do, and that's okay too.
just don't complain about spending 300 on a bag that is worth it. these are worth it. not so much for some other bags, regardless of where they are made or if the workers making them are treated fairly.
01-09-12, 11:21 PM
#36
Painfully average.
Dang, if I don't pick up the Chrome Soyuz, I'd definitely get a MW Rambler. I had the Ivan but it was a little too big for my tastes. Anyone know how much smaller a Soyuz or Rambler is? Or the Vandal for the matter, so I can get an idea in my head based in OP's picture!
01-09-12, 11:23 PM
#37
Fresh Garbage
01-10-12, 07:15 AM
#40
.
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If I had loads like that to carry often, I'd get a trailer or an Xtracycle or go all in and order a Big Dummy. Or a bakfiets. I would also be getting some gears on the bike.
Nice that the bag can hold so much but it's not a good idea to have that much weight on your back when you ride. Center of gravity is too high and unstable. As you said, you almost fell over just getting onto the bike.
Nice that the bag can hold so much but it's not a good idea to have that much weight on your back when you ride. Center of gravity is too high and unstable. As you said, you almost fell over just getting onto the bike.
01-10-12, 09:09 AM
#41
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Threadjacking.
This is the pack I use. Osprey Quasar. It's a climbing pack, but I couldn't have asked for a studier pack. I paid $90 for mine. It's super strong, carried about 80lbs in it personally, and it has a bunch of adjustable straps for load displacement. I use it for school, riding, everything. It has a spot for a water bladder in it too.
/Threadjacking.
This is the pack I use. Osprey Quasar. It's a climbing pack, but I couldn't have asked for a studier pack. I paid $90 for mine. It's super strong, carried about 80lbs in it personally, and it has a bunch of adjustable straps for load displacement. I use it for school, riding, everything. It has a spot for a water bladder in it too.
/Threadjacking.
01-10-12, 10:36 AM
#42
Banana-tastic!
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I almost did this once, because I had just moved to a new place and bought a whole bunch of heavy stuff at once, carrying it in my backpack and two grocery baskets. There was also a heavy crosswind that day, which made going home even more exciting. I quickly learned to make more frequent, lighter grocery trips in the future. 
I'm not familiar with the product myself (I have a Chrome Mini-Metro), but Mr. JesusBananas is a quite fond of his Osprey pack. It's great for hiking, although it is worth noting that he doesn't ride, so I don't know what it's like on the bike.
Threadjacking.
If you are interested in extreme quality at a good price
This is the pack I use. Osprey Quasar. It's a climbing pack, but I couldn't have asked for a studier pack. I paid $90 for mine. It's super strong, carried about 80lbs in it personally, and it has a bunch of adjustable straps for load displacement. I use it for school, riding, everything. It has a spot for a water bladder in it too.
/Threadjacking.
If you are interested in extreme quality at a good price
This is the pack I use. Osprey Quasar. It's a climbing pack, but I couldn't have asked for a studier pack. I paid $90 for mine. It's super strong, carried about 80lbs in it personally, and it has a bunch of adjustable straps for load displacement. I use it for school, riding, everything. It has a spot for a water bladder in it too.
/Threadjacking.
01-10-12, 11:01 AM
#43
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I'm here for the MW Vandal love, too. My LBS hooked me up with a Vandal for $150 over black friday. w00t!!
I've carried some pretty crazy loads, too. The first one was a 22" LCD monitor, which was cake, due to the stretchy buckle strap. My most grandiose accomplishment so far was the 32" LCD TV I had to bring back to work to ship out. That required a little headscratching and an additional bungee. The best part is pulling up to a stop light and watching the person in the car next to you freak out. Like a BOSS.
I've carried some pretty crazy loads, too. The first one was a 22" LCD monitor, which was cake, due to the stretchy buckle strap. My most grandiose accomplishment so far was the 32" LCD TV I had to bring back to work to ship out. That required a little headscratching and an additional bungee. The best part is pulling up to a stop light and watching the person in the car next to you freak out. Like a BOSS.
01-10-12, 08:22 PM
#47
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Microwave. Nice.
My wife and I both have Vandals. Why? Because we support a S.O.P.W.M.T.O.S. Period. I hate the idea of giving money to foreign countries of I don't have to. Yes, there are some fine products made there. No, that doesn't help my community, region, economy or country.
I support guys like MW, Soulcraft, Paul, White Industries because they offer a product that is made in the U.S.A. with pride. I know that pride when I go to work every day and put in 8 hours to put out a product that I'm proud of - not that's "cheap to the degree that it won't break now, but who cares in 31 days."
My 11 year old son has even asked for a Rambler, which we've seriously considered. If he keeps it through college it not only pays for itself - but we know he has a bag that is strong and won't hurt his back. I remember growing up and having a new backpack every year - and every year I had more problems with my back as a kid because cheap bags suck.
My wife and I both have Vandals. Why? Because we support a S.O.P.W.M.T.O.S. Period. I hate the idea of giving money to foreign countries of I don't have to. Yes, there are some fine products made there. No, that doesn't help my community, region, economy or country.
I support guys like MW, Soulcraft, Paul, White Industries because they offer a product that is made in the U.S.A. with pride. I know that pride when I go to work every day and put in 8 hours to put out a product that I'm proud of - not that's "cheap to the degree that it won't break now, but who cares in 31 days."
My 11 year old son has even asked for a Rambler, which we've seriously considered. If he keeps it through college it not only pays for itself - but we know he has a bag that is strong and won't hurt his back. I remember growing up and having a new backpack every year - and every year I had more problems with my back as a kid because cheap bags suck.
01-12-12, 01:19 PM
#48
Painfully average.
lvleph: Did you ever mention how tall you were? Your vandal looks like it fits pretty nicely for your body size, yet redpear's rambler seems to fit perfectly on his 5'4" frame.
01-12-12, 01:57 PM
#49
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I tend to feel that bigger bags look more appropriate, especially when packed. If I was even 3 inches taller, I'd have gotten a Vandal.
01-12-12, 03:04 PM
#50
Painfully average.
I'm about 5'9" and my chrome Ivan was a bit annoying due to its size. Stilled liked it though. I saw a comparison between the two, and they were pretty, uch the same height except the vandal was a bir more compact.
I had major problems with vision when looking over my shoulder!
I had major problems with vision when looking over my shoulder!