d2create

Do you like it?
I have the original Bug and always liked it. The new Metropolitan looks nice, too.
https://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/met...asp?fl=1&site=

steeef

I've had a Bug for about 4 years, and it's been great to me, but I don't actually use it as a backpack anymore. I think I'd rather have something like this, especially since my Bug is old enough not to have the cam-locking mechanism that Arkel's more recent panniers have.

Aeneas

It looks to me like this is a very recent addition to the Arkel line. I don't remember seeing it when I was looking through the site last week.
I'm sure it is well designed and quite functional but in looking at the dimensions the 36 cm x 36cm x 23 cm format may not yield as much usable space (although it the encolsed volume should be about 29 L). For commuting use... change of shoes, change of clothes+ necessities, it may suffice, but I'm guessing. Looks like a nice bag though.

Edit: The Arkel page says internal volume is 23 liters which is smaller than The Bug... seems a lot of people find The Bug to be too small for commuting and up size to Utility Baskets.

jtwilson

It looks nice to me, but the capacity leaves something to be desired. It's listed as 23L, and I find the 25L Bug to be just barely enough. I typically fit a folder/notebook, my lunch, and clothes in the Bug no problem. Add an extra pair of shoes and it is tight. For rainy days, there's not enough room left over to store rain gear and other items. If they had made it 30L, it would be a real winner. One plus, though, is lighter unloaded weight than the Bug, also, it has loops to change teh hook positioning for added heel clearance. Chunky shoes on platforms will result in heelstrike on the Bug.

d2create

I'm fine with the size of the bug.
I fit my clothes, breakfast and rain jacket... keys, wallet, phone in it no problem.
And I have a tail rider too for tools and extra storage.
I don't think the slightly smaller size would be a problem for me. I was looking at it because it seems nicer to take off the bike and carry around like in a store. And like steeef mentioned it has the new rack connection system which my original bug does not.
Looks like it doesn't hang as low as the bug either, probably another plus for heel clearance.

HardyWeinberg

I like the look of it for a computer etc... bag. I would still use another pannier for clothes and stuff.

modernjess

It looks like a winner. I love my Arkel Commuter, and I would seriously consider this if I were in the market again. It looks a little more yersatile. Not sure if it would handle a laptop as well as the commuter does, but I'm sure there's a way. Also it looks wider than the commuter, so I'd have to make sure about heel clearance with my set up. Arkel makes good sh_t.

relyt

The bug is nice, but it looks super dorky as a backpack. The only convertible bag/pannier I have seen that looks good is the Ortleib Office Bag, which looks like a generic corporate laptop briefcase.

jtwilson

Dorky? Maybe the brightly colored Bug. The black/gray Bug and Metropolitan look stylish to me. I love my Bug and the capacity isn't enough of an issue to use a second pannier. I did get a cargo net bungee to carry extra shoes/jacket or whatever on top of the rack though. With this in mind, 23 vs. 25L isn't much of an issue, and it would be nicer to have one simple strap and flap instead of Bug's two flaps and having to put up the bungee/hook system. Since I use the Bug as my primary backpack and use it that way a good deal with a full load - I decided two straps was the way to go.