Yeah, I carry my mp3 player, keys, check card, and sunblock.

all i need really.

I decided to go with a Cocotte Alfredo for my larger bag.

ORTLIEB.

nothing compares.

For panniers, yes. Backpacks, not really.

I've repeatedly heard that their backpacks tend to fall apart after a few years. Plus the design shortcut, er, choice, of having a rear pannier with shoulder straps makes the bag a giant gaping black maw. Hard to find things at the bottom, hard to really organize things at all. For a good cycling backpack I'd rather go with Chrome, Chicago Wig or Seagull.

If you like the giant gaping maw thing, Chicago Wig's pack could eat two Ortliebs for brunch. And their huge compartment folds away when you don't need it, leaving a more normal sized pack.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8840/dscf0157bp3.jpg
Woah cool!

I just realized I have a hip bag!
http://www.bikeforums.net/http:http:...f0157bp3.jpg//
it's not as sweet looking at the chrome bag but it works. I've been using it for my camera.
60 bucks is kinda steep for something so small IMO.

I have the Ortlieb messenger backpack and do like it, but that is my one complaint. It has a vertical format, that is, taller than it is wide and opening on the top, and the inside is mostly black. Most of the things I put in it are black or dark, so it really is this black pit when you look into it. Several times I have almost gone after a flashlight when I have wanted something that had migrated to the bottom of the bag.

I don't know, but I think some of that design is intentional. There are no organizing pockets on the outside, no attachment points of any kind. It is just a waterproof bag with a roll top. But the advantage of that is, there is nothing much to get really wet. You can come inside from a pouring rain, wipe the thing down with a towel, open it up, and everything inside is completely dry. That was my personal main reason for getting it, total waterproofness, and it has performed flawlessly in that respect. I traded off organizing pockets, I traded off a hook for a blinkie, I traded off easy access, but I got guaranteed total dryness.

There's a Knog something or other at my LBS for 90 bones. I'll probably buy that or the smaller Seagull Black Bag. Given how I have scoliosis, a fully loaded mess bag won't work for me, so I'm rethinking my approach to things.

Previously I'd been hauling all my heavy stuff in my Targus backpack and the lock/pump/tube/tools would go in my trunk bag, but I've decided that I will flip that idea around and bungee the books to the rack and have a small-ish mess bag for the essentials: pump/lock/lights/batteries/tube/tools/iPod/Bible/current reading material.

That way, I save my back, and the rack gets used as it was meant to be.

The trunk bag will remain for non-commute/around town stuff, such as group rides, rides, weekend rides, long rides, etc.

And I really want a hip pouch to stick all the tools tube patch kit yeeha in.

Raleigh531 -- I realize that you just posted indicating that you went with Cocotte instead of PAC (Canada still FTW! ;) ) but I'll just add this comment in case others read it on the search.

I've owned a PAC ultimate for several years now, and while I stand by the quality and design of almost everything in the bag, if I had to choose between the X-strap and the waist belt, I would go with the waist belt every single time. The X-strap is a nice design idea but it's got a basic flaw in that the point where the strap clips in is relatively high -- basically coming in just above your sternum. So, what tends to happen when you engage the strap is that you get some weight shifted off your primary shoulder to the X-strap, along with a bunch of pressure applied to your chest.

When on a bike in the drops, this is generally fine, since the bag is sitting on your back and the pressure on your sternum is relaxed, but it's really uncomfortable for walking around; to the point where I don't use it unless I'm carrying something really heavy for a few miles on the bike and I need the extra stability of the X-strap.

The waist belt, on the other hand, is indispensable. I've actually been kind of wimpified by it, as I'll use the waist belt for any load that's more than 10 lbs. on my back. Being able to shift weight distribution to my hips is immensely useful. As a weight-distributor, the X-strap is really perfunctory. It's main benefit is stabilizing top heavy loads while you're on your bike.

(oh and fwiw, I had a couple of the strap retaining clips on my Ultimate bag snap off after a year or use and Pat was really nice and prompt about sending me free replacements. I haven't had a lot of interaction with PAC customer service over the years, but all of my conversations have been great and efficient)

Thanks for the comments on the X-strap anyways. It's good to know these things as one never knows what they may end up with in the future.

PAC was looking solid, but it was just too much money. After comparing Chrome, Manhattan Portage, PAC, Timbuk2, Bagjack, DeMartini, Push, CourierWare, and Concotte, I decided Concotte offered the best bang for buck as far as what I was looking for.

I just picked up a Patagonia Critical Mass bag at a sample sale this weekend. Its MUCH improved from their past designs. Its 47 litres and has a huge well-padded laptop sleeve, plus a tonne of room in the main compartment. The shoulder strap is way easier to adjust than the past design, which is why I would have never have recommended the bag a couple of years ago. It also has a very large reflective strip across the entire bag. All in all, much improved and I would definetly recommend this bag now.

Woot.
I just won a chrome hipbone for 30 bucks on auction.
If you order it from the site it's like 70.