My trusty Push the Envelope Metro messenger bag is getting a bit tired, and I'm thinking of a replacement. After years and many thousands of kms/miles of not-terribly-kind treatment, it's starting to wear through. That's a problem when I occasionally ride with my laptop in torrential rain.

I like the bag, but want something different for the following reasons:
- I want something bigger (this one is 1350 cu in — fine for typical commute, but can be limiting if I need to buy stuff on the way home)
- The plastic clips have a tendency to become brittle when riding in cold weather. These can be replaced, but it's annoying to have to do that.
- Sometimes I'd like a bit more padding on the strap

Of those, the biggest single annoyance is the brittle plastic clips. I wouldn't rule out getting another Push the Envelope, but I feel like trying something new.

I'm was thinking that a Chrome Metropolis might be a good choice. It seems to get good reviews and the big buckle would do away with the brittle clip problem (though I notice the stabilizing strap features a plastic clip).

But then I discovered R.E.Load bags, particularly the Deluxe. They seem to be getting even better reviews around here than the Chromes, but I hadn't heard of them before. Are there any RELoad owners here who specifically chose their bag over a Chrome? I'd like to know why. Or, if there are any Chrome owners who chose their bags over RELoads, I'd like to hear from you, too.

I'm not interested in a backpack (I prefer messenger bags) [EDIT: OK, maybe backpacks could work... anyone have thoughts about the Ortlieb Flight?] or panniers (my folding bike makes these impractical), but I would be interested in hearing about other good messenger bags. Price isn't really an issue, since I plan to get many years out of the bag.

Oh, and I'm not such a fan of Timbuk2s... I find they move around too much.

What do you all think?

I'm not a very good source from a comparison standpoint, but I have a chrome citizen (maybe metropolis, can't remember) and I really like it. I use it when I don't want to use my panniers and it's got plenty of padding on the strap. Of course the main clip is seatbelt style metal and the flap attaches mainly by Velcro with the plastic clips being secondary. I've never had a clip break on me. The overall design seems to have been really well thought out for heavy users. Good luck.

I just got a Timbuk2 bag. So far it has it's good and bad points. The white interior makes looking for things a breeze and the shoulder strap pad is extra cushy. I don't like the were the pockets are located (on the inside of the front), this pulls the front top of the bag inwards when the pockets are loaded causing all sorts of problems. The bag itself is well built (lots of plastic clips) and very sturdy. Before I had a MEC (think REI) messenger bag. It is a great bag but there is NO style to it and it wasn't as waterproof as the TB2 bag (but it was better than most backpacks). The inside of the MEC messenger bag was black which caused me to loose some things on occasion on the inside of the bag. The inside pockets were located on the inside back of the bag which is a much better location in my opinion.

These are my only 2 reviews I have.

I can't compare it to other bags, since I've never owned another, but I have two different size Chrome bags, and I've never had any issues with either of them. Bitter cold won't be an issue with the plastic clips.

BMW makes something similar to a messenger bag for motorcyclists.

120$ ... but I would love to buy one.

Try Seagull out of Columbus Ohio. https://www.seagullbags.com You can customize to your heart's content (and your wallet's too). The buckles can be done in a lightweight, but extremely sturdy, metal to solve your brittle buckle problem and the canvas is top notch when it comes to downpours. They are super easy to work with (though their lead time is several weeks). They are made in Columbus by a great crew.

Hope this helps.

I've had no problem with brittle buckles on Bailey Works and Ortlieb courier bags. Get the Ortlieb if you like waterproof, but not so much if you like different pockets in your bag to organize stuff. Retired because it was a bit too large and the roll top closure was a bit much to get into all the time. Bailey Works bag is what I replaced it with and it's still going strong many years later. Made in NH, used in Boston, held up great to cold in both climates.

I can't make the comparison you need but i have a chrome metropolis. It's super tough and my stuff stays bone dry even in the heaviest rains. I don't use it too often since i have a rack/panniers now but sometimes I like to switch it up. Oh, it also saved my back in a crash where I went sliding up the hood of a car, bounced off the windshield, and landed on the pavement on the other side of the car... all on my back. The bag was unscathed, as was I. When i eventually got to work that morning, there was a package waiting for me with my new panniers.

Hmm.... thanks for the responses so far! Yogajess, I was just looking at the Seagull bags, and they seem very interesting indeed.

To complicate matters, I came across this thread in SSFG:
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/299121-ortlieb-flight-27-backpack-review.html

I had written off backpacks, but now I'm wondering if an Ortlieb Flight might be worth considering. It looks like a great bag, and the mesh back for warm-weather cycling sounds promising.

d2create - that sounds like a scary crash. Hope the Rivendell (which I had printed out and posted on the cubicle at my last job... new place doesn't have cubicles ) was unscathed too. A friend of mine had an Ortlieb roll-top messenger backpack save his back in a similar situation, but his bike was toast.

I had a Timbuk2. Worked ok. Then I graduated to a Chrome. All B.S. aside, it's a great bag. The iconic buckle and strap arrangement is very functional once you get it down. Made in USA for those that are concerned.

I own a bailey works pro bag. Great bag. Great customer service.

Ive ridden with a Timbuk2 for two years now and while I love it for what its worth as I ride in more weather conditions and with way more stuff I've noticed (as someone mentioned) that it does move around a bit much and doesn't wrap around my back very comfortably. Pretty much everyone I know rides with Baileys so even though I don't own one (yet) I'd have to put my vote there as well.

I have a Chrome Metropolis and love it. I got it last fall cause I couldn't stand my Timbuk2. The bag is a great size and the strap is nice and cusioned. As someone mentioned earlier, the plasic buckles that hold down the flap are really secondary to the velcro. Can't say I've ever had one break on me though.

Ha, thanks! Actually, that was pre-Rivendell. Phew!
My Kona Dew was totaled though. T-boned. May she rest in peace.

Patagonia Critical Mass
https://www.patagonia.com/web/us/prod...:CRITICAL_MASS

One of my favorites is that I no longer have to hold the top flap open with my teeth. Ingenius velcro thing to keep it out of the way. Good pockets for organization and easy accessibility even when you're wearing it. Downside is that there is no place to hang a blinkie.

I really like the fact it holds a ulock, I might have to get me one of those.

Another vote for BaileyWorks. Awsome strap,lots of pockets,super durable.

I have both those bags, the Chrome Metro and the Reload Deluxe. They are both significantly different bags in terms of load capacity and design.

I started with a Timbuk2 and got to disliking it enough to switch to a backpack for a long time - the Timbuk2 has a tendency to swing forward if you don't the stabilizer strap. I switched back to a messenger bag when I found a the Metro for cheap. The Chrome bag is way comfortable on the bike. It stays put even without the stabilizer strap on. You can adjust the shoulder strap with one hand so you can make the adjustment 'on the fly'. On the Reload this is a two handed operation so you have to either stop to readjust the strap or do it riding no-hands. I like the seat-belt buckle for when I use it on the motorcycle as it allows for getting the bag on and off without having to lift it over a bulky helmet. The buckle (it's freaking metal) does tend to do some damage if you are not careful when you throw your bag around.

I got the Reload to replace a Chrome Kremlin which while being a fine bag was way too big for my purposes and certainly felt way too big when wearing it. It carried a scary amount of stuff though - I once carried a rear 700c wheel in it. The Deluxe has compression straps which help get it down in size but generally it is a massive bag which will feel like a big cordura blanket on your back unless you are an XXL sized guy/girl. It covers my whole back and then some. I am a size 44 (medium-large t-shirt). I use this bag on my grocery days and my winter commutes. Sometimes I travel with the bag as my 'one bag' carryall' and it works well though with the bag completely full it is a bear to lift and a pain to walk around with. The RELoad is a heavy bag even when empty. It is built with some burly materials. The shoulder strap on the Deluxe is very stiff and is reinforced against fraying which the Chrome strap is suffering from.

Between the two bags, I am finding that I use the Chrome Metro much more frequently then the Reload. For daily use the Metro is just right. I carry a change of clothes, some books, bike tools, minipump, lock, and it still has room to pick up some small groceries with ease. You can use the outside straps to either tie down the flap or to hold additional stuff (I use it to hold a document tube sometimes). I think the only downside to the Chrome bags is that you have to wear them diagonally across your back all the time as it is designed for on-the-bike comfort. One of the reasons I got the Reload was to have a bag that would be comfortable for both riding and walking (I like to wear the bag on one shoulder when walking).

I don't think you will be unhappy with either bag as they are both overbuilt, waterproof, well-designed. I would heed the warning/advice on the RELoad site concerning getting a too-big bag. The Deluxe is really big and really wide. It is much bigger than the Metro which is probably closer to the RELoad Citizen model in size. As much as I want to love the RELoad, for the money and functionality of a dedicated bike bag,I have to give the nod to the Metro for daily use. The Deluxe is too big for regular commuter use unless you are a messenger.

That's really helpful, hairlessbill — thanks! The more I read about the Deluxe, the more I think it's too big for me. I'd love to hear opinions about the RELoad Citizen... anyone?

The Chrome Metro still sounds great, but I'm a bit concerned by reviews that say it's not so hot when you're off the bike. Hmm...

Great responses so far — keep them coming! I'll look into Baileyworks when I get a second today.

Tom Bihn makes some really functional messenger bags.

I use it off the bike a lot. You just can't wear it over one sholder (as mentioned earlier).

Also, someone recomended Seagull Bags. I have one of their smaller bags for running around town so I can't coment on the comuter sized ones. That being said, I do enjoy the one I have and believe they are something to consider.

Hmmm... at this point, I'm thinking of one of these three:

Seagull Deluxe medium
Ortlieb Flight
Chrome Metropolis

The Seagull is probably the one I'm most interested in out of those three, but the other two are definitely not counted out. I'll look into this more this weekend when I've got a bit more time.

Thanks for the helpful responses!

An update for anyone interested: I've put in an order for a slightly customized medium Seagull Deluxe. I look forward to trying it out... I'll post a quick review of it when it eventually arrives.

Thanks again for the help!