I find that the backpak tends to raise your center of gravity. As previously stated they can ride up when your leaning forward. Depends on what I'm doing and where I'm going. I'm really don't care what any non riders are wearing. It's what works best for me, and that can be my Timbuk2 or a day pack.

markhr - TAD gear is some cool, but expensive stuff!!

I switch from my Chrome Kremlin, which by the way is very comfortable and highly recommended, or my smaller 1st gen Chrome bag (purchased when they were based out of Colorado).

I preferred the larger messenger bags initially because they held the larger sketch pads and t-square, as well as the rest of my commuting gear when I was in school. Backpacks didn't cut it, space-wise (but then the Chrome backpacks came out...).

Also, I've used both bags for airline travel as carry-on and they've done fine (the newer one was even checked in - velcro and clipped - nothing was going to come out of this bag).

Neither. a shoulder bag with a very long strap so that when you are on the bicycle, the bag is below your waist. This keeps the center of gravity very low, so the load doesn't flop around like it does with a backpack, and also keeps your back cooler since the bag is hanging off your waist and not stuck to your back.

I've tried that, and had the strap long enough to hang the bag behind my butt. But, it always wanted to swing around to the front, where it would get knocked around by my legs. It was especially bad on the CAAD8, and the Bad Boy isn't exactly an upright-posture bike either, so a long-hanging bag still had a tendency to swing around the front.

Maybe you've got yours worn differently so it doesn't swing around, but whatever I was doing, the long strap wasn't working like I wanted. That's why I was looking for something to stay in one place no matter what.

Sounds like the messenger bag can also serve the purpose of being a fashionable man purse.

I have the Chrome Metropolis and for me, when I'm on the bike it seems to disappear and is extremely comfortable. Off the bike is when it is much less comfortable. Since the previous message mentions a man bag I'll admit that I also own a Timbuk2 in the small size that I carry my camera, current book I'm reading and my PDA. Other miscellaneous stuff finds its way in too. I ordered it with the handle so it's really handy. I also use a backpack occasionally but while it's comfortable, it impedes my ability to see when I need to look back. It blocks my Take-a-Look mirror and blocks me when I turn my head.