Andy_K 

I usually haul my stuff in either a pannier or a backpack, depending on the weather. I like to have my bike unencumbered, but I don't like the sweaty back feature of the backpack. So today I grabbed a messenger bag that my wife bought but never used to give that a try. It's a Novara of some sort.

Generally, I really liked the feel of the messenger bag. My only complaint is that I would like to have it more or less centered on my lower back, but it kept wanting to slide over onto my right hip.

Is this something I can fix by fiddling with the straps or getting a better designed bag, or is this just life with a messenger bag?

rumrunn6

Mine stays put but does slide sometimes. Maybe you are are overloading it? I keep mine flat and most everything is in a trunk bag on my back rack.

nick burns

Not familiar with Novara bags, but I looked at some pics online. On the model that I found, it looks like there is a stabilizer strap. It might take a little bit of trial and error, but yes, adjusting both straps should keep the bag centered. Also over time you will probably find ways of loading the contents that help keep the bag stable. Some bags are just designed better than others to eliminate the tendency to slide to one side or the other. I used a Tiumbuk2 bag for years that I often had problems with. I use a Chrome now that stays put no matter how I load it up.

lil brown bat

If it's got a stabilizer strap, you should be able to get it to stay in place quite well.

If it's got no stabilizer strap, it's a fashion accessory and not meant for use on a bicycle.

commo_soulja

If your messenger bag has a stabilization strap, use it and cinch it up. I have A Timbuk2 and a Chrome bag and when used properly (cinched up stabilization bag) they don't creep over to the side.

HumdrumPG

I don't know the Novara one either, but I know my Baileyworks bag is supposed to be worn much higher up on the back. If you have the stabilizer strap, definitely use it. If not, you can probably add your own relatively easily, depending on the design of the bag. But in any event, it should probably be worn up higher (in other words, it shouldn't be down near your hip - it should be on the upper back, which is the strongest part).

d2create

My chrome has a stablizer strap. I think. I never use it. The bag conforms really well and stays put.

Andy_K 

It's not any of the Novara bags currently on the REI website, but it does have a stabilizer strap, which I was using. Sounds like I need to shorten up the shoulder strap.

bhop

My Bailey Works stays in place even without the use of the stabilizer strap, but I use it anyway, just in case I have to make some quick movements so it doesn't whip around.

As far as back position, I don't think there's a spot you're "supposed to" wear it. Just put it where it's more comfortable. I like mine a little low when i'm riding. When I move it higher, my weight balance feels weird.

Or tighten the stabilizer strap.

HumdrumPG

The reason I said it's "supposed to" be up higher is that the padded portion of the strap on my bag should clearly be on the shoulder, which would mean the bag necessarily is higher up on the back. Maybe I just never tried it lower on my back because I thought that was how it was supposed to be. Either way, I certainly have found that the weight balance feels weird when I tried using another bag (an old Timbuk2 without a padded strap) lower on my back. The Timbuk2 didnt' have a stabilizer strap, though, so maybe it swung around too much, and made the weight balance feel weird.

Anyway, I would definitely agree that, as with most things, it's a personal preference thing, but I feel having it up higher just makes more sense. Again, though, I haven't seen the particular bag the OP has. And perhaps I'm picturing him wearing it differently than he really is.

bhop

I gotcha.. i'm not a very tall guy, so my bag can go pretty low on me and still have some padding on my shoulder, but I could see how it could be limiting for a taller person.

Comatoast

My Chrome Metropolis has a stabilizer strap which i use. I also find that it is possible to load the bag in such a way that it is more likely to move around. In general, i try to load the bag so that 1) it lays as flat as possible to my back 2) heavier items are placed closer to the shoulder strap and 3) the closing flap is as tight as possible to prevent load shifting.

Andy_K 

It looks like this:



but in a different color.

The thing I didn't notice until I found this picture is that the buckle for the stabilizer strap can move along the shoulder strap (as can the pad, which I did know). It had been at the base of the shoulder strap (where it meets the bag) and there's a plastic loop there which was causing it not to slide, so I figured it was permanently affixed.

I think that'll take care of the problem.

Kojak

I've got a Seal Line (nice B-day gift from the missus). It's waterproof, has a stabilizer strap, and it has a ventilated back panel that keeps air flowing over your back when snugged up. It stays very stable on my back unless my packing arrangement was done hastily. Nice bag, kinda spendy.

dynaryder

I had a bag with a strap similar to the Novara that I used to use for commuting. I wasn't able to tighten it enough to keep it in place because there was only one slide buckle(like the ones on both ends of that strap) and it would only go so far before it hit the pad. So I went to a camping shop and got an extra 2" slide buckle. I loosened the strap all the way,then threaded the buckle into the strap. Then a just sinched it up and tucked the loop under the strap. Problem solved.